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{{short description|Multi-purpose stadium in Toronto, Canada; home venue of the Toronto Blue Jays}} {{Short description|Sports stadium in Toronto, Canada}}
{{redirect|SkyDome}} {{Redirect|SkyDome}}
{{distinguish|text=] in Vancouver or ] in Edmonton}} {{Distinguish|text=the nearby ] academic building}}
{{For|the convention centre in Ottawa|Rogers Centre Ottawa}}
{{pp-pc1}}
{{For|other similarly named arenas and stadiums|Rogers Stadium (disambiguation){{!}}Rogers Stadium}}
{{pp-pc}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2015}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox venue {{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Rogers Centre<!--Please don't change this to SkyDome, as it is its former name--> | stadium_name = Rogers Centre<!--Please don't change this to SkyDome, as it is its former name-->
| nickname = ''SkyDome''
| nickname = ''SkyDome''<ref name="CBC">{{Cite web|url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/skydome-now-rogers-centre-turns-25-1.2662889|title = SkyDome, now Rogers Centre, turns 25|date = June 3, 2014|website = CBC News|publisher = ]|quote = When Rogers bought the building in 2005, the stadium's official name switched to Rogers Centre. Many still refer to it as SkyDome, a name that came through a fan-naming contest.}}</ref><ref name="SportingNews">{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=M.E.|title=The Skydome a/k/a Rogers Centre, turns 25|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2014-06-04/skydome-rogers-centre-25th-anniversary-blue-jays|website=Sporting News|access-date=November 19, 2014}}</ref>
| logo_image = ] | logo_image = ]
| image = Toronto - ON - Rogers Centre2.jpg | image = Toronto - ON - Rogers Centre2.jpg
| caption = Rogers Centre in 2008 | caption = Rogers Centre in 2008
| location = ], ] | location = ], ], Canada
| coordinates = {{coord|43|38|29|N|79|23|21|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=it}} | coordinates = {{coord|43|38|29|N|79|23|21|W|type:landmark_scale:2000|display=it}}
| pushpin_map = Canada Toronto | pushpin_map = Canada Toronto#Canada Southern Ontario#Ontario#Canada
| pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_relief = yes
| pushpin_label = Rogers Centre
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Toronto
| pushpin_mapsize = 250
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in ]##Location in ]##Location in ]##Location in ]
| broke_ground = October 3, 1986 | broke_ground = October 3, 1986
| opened = June 3, 1989 (as SkyDome) | opened = June 3, 1989 (as SkyDome)
| closed = | closed =
| demolished = | demolished =
| renovated = 2022–2024
| owner = ] | owner = ]
| operator = Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership | operator = Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership
| surface = ] (1989–2004)<br />] (2005–2010)<br />AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D (2010–2014) <br />AstroTurf 3D Xtreme (2015) <br />AstroTurf 3D Xtreme with dirt infield (2016–present) | surface = ] (1989–2004)<br />] (2005–2010)<br />AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D (2010–2014) <br />AstroTurf 3D Xtreme (2015) <br />AstroTurf 3D Xtreme with dirt infield (2016–present)
| architect = ], Robbie Adjeleian NORR Consortium | architect = ], Robbie Adjeleian NORR Consortium (1989)<br />] (2024 renovation)
| project_manager = | project_manager =
| structural engineer = Adjeleian Allen Rubeli Ltd.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adjeleian Allen Rubeli – Skydome |url=http://www.aar.on.ca/hotel_4.asp|publisher=Adjeleian Allen Rubeli Ltd.|date=January 29, 2006|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> | structural engineer = Adjeleian Allen Rubeli Ltd.<ref>{{cite web |title=Adjeleian Allen Rubeli – Skydome |url=http://www.aar.on.ca/hotel_4.asp|publisher=Adjeleian Allen Rubeli Ltd.|date=January 29, 2006|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref>
| services engineer = The Mitchell Partnership Inc.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rogers Centre|url=http://www.tmptoronto.com/document_library/Rogers%20Centre.pdf|publisher=The Mitchell Partnership|access-date=August 10, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303080852/http://www.tmptoronto.com/document_library/Rogers%20Centre.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | services engineer = The Mitchell Partnership Inc.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rogers Centre|url=http://www.tmptoronto.com/document_library/Rogers%20Centre.pdf|publisher=The Mitchell Partnership|access-date=August 10, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303080852/http://www.tmptoronto.com/document_library/Rogers%20Centre.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2012}}</ref>
| general_contractor = ] Construction | general_contractor = ] Construction
| main_contractors = | main_contractors =
| record_attendance = ]: 68,237 (March 17, 2002) | record_attendance = ]: 68,237 (March 17, 2002)
| dimensions = '''Left Field Line''' – {{convert|328|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Left-Centre Power Alley''' – {{convert|375|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Centre Field''' – {{convert|400|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Right-Centre Power Alley''' – {{convert|375|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Right Field Line''' – {{convert|328|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Backstop''' – {{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />] | dimensions = '''Left Field Line''' – {{convert|328|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Left-Centre''' – {{convert|368|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Left-Centre Power Alley''' – {{convert|381|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Centre Field''' – {{convert|400|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Right-Centre Power Alley''' – {{convert|372|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Right-Centre''' – {{convert|359|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Right Field Line''' – {{convert|328|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />'''Backstop''' – {{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br />]
| tenants = <!-- Please do not place one-off events here, such as boxing, wrestling, and mixed-martial arts matches, as they are not tenants -->] (]) (1989–<!--This should remain at present unless lease is formally terminated, regardless of any COVID-19 plans; Rogers Centre is still the Blue Jays' tenant, despite playing in Sahlen Field during the 2020 season-->present)<br />] (]) (1989–2015)<ref>{{cite web |title=TSN|url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=432322|publisher=tsn.ca|access-date=September 20, 2013}}</ref><br />] (]) (1995–1999)<br />] (]) (2007–2010) | tenants = <!-- Please do not place one-off events here, such as boxing, wrestling, and mixed-martial arts matches, as they are not tenants -->] (]) (1989–present)<br />] (]) (1989–2015)<ref>{{cite web |title=TSN|url=https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=432322|publisher=tsn.ca|access-date=September 20, 2013}}</ref><br />] (]) (1995–1999)<br />] (]) (2007–2010)
<!-- Please do not place one-off events here, such as boxing, wrestling, and mixed-martial arts matches, as they are not tenants --> <!-- Please do not place one-off events here, such as boxing, wrestling, and mixed-martial arts matches, as they are not tenants -->| publictransit = {{rint|toronto|rail}} ]<br />{{rint|toronto|subway|1}} ]<br />{{rint|gotransit|bus}} ]<br />{{rint|toronto|streetcar|509}} ]<br />{{rint|toronto|streetcar|510}} ]
| publictransit = {{rint|toronto|rail}} ]<br />{{rint|toronto|subway|1}} ]<br />{{rint|gotransit|bus}} ]<br />{{rint|toronto|streetcar|509}} ]<br />{{rint|toronto|streetcar|510}} ]
| address = 1 Blue Jays Way | address = 1 Blue Jays Way
| construction_cost = ]570 million<br />$400 million (2022–2024 renovation)
| construction_cost = ]570 million<ref name=cbcwinlose>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/you-win-some-you-lose-some-1.1060052|title=You win some, you lose some|date=February 9, 2011|access-date=December 27, 2013|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/1621/inside-the-venue-torontos-rogers-centre|title=Inside the venue: Toronto's Rogers Centre|date=April 29, 2011|access-date=December 28, 2013|publisher=]}}</ref>
| former_names = SkyDome (1989–2005) | former_names = SkyDome (1989–2005)
| seating_capacity = Baseball: 39,150<br />Concerts: 10,000–55,000
| seating_capacity = Baseball: 49,282<ref name="RogersCentreInformation">{{cite web|title=Rogers Centre History|url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/ballpark/information/history|publisher=Toronto Blue Jays|date=September 30, 2021|access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref><br />Canadian football: 31,074 (expandable to 52,230)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=newser&func=display&nid=21672|title=2007 Grey Cup game sold out|access-date=November 20, 2007|publisher=Canadian Football League|quote=The capacity crowd at Rogers Centre on Sunday will be 52,230.}}</ref><br />American football: 53,506<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25810.aspx|title=McKelvin's Kickoff Return TD Helps Bills Down Steelers 24-21 In Rogers Centre Exhibition – CityNews|publisher=Citynews.ca|date=August 14, 2008|access-date=February 23, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103002651/http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_25810.aspx|archive-date=January 3, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref><br />Soccer: 47,568<br />Basketball: 22,911 (expandable to 28,708)<ref>{{cite web |title=SkyDome|url=http://basketball.ballparks.com/NBA/TorontoRaptors/index.htm|publisher=Basketball.ballparks.com|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref><br />Concerts: 10,000–55,000
}} }}


'''Rogers Centre''' (originally '''SkyDome''') is a ] ] ] in ], ], Canada, situated just southwest of the ] near the northern shore of ]. Opened in 1989 on the former ], it is home to the ] of ] (MLB). Previously, the stadium was also home to the ] of the ] (CFL) and the ] of the ] (NBA). The ] of the ] (NFL) played an annual game at the stadium as part of the ] from 2008 to 2013. While it is primarily a sports venue, it also hosts other large events such as ], ]s, ]s, ], ]es and ] shows. '''Rogers Centre''' (originally '''SkyDome''') is a ] ]<!--Rogers Centre is officially a stadium, not a ballpark, despite the 2020s renovations--> in ] ], Ontario, Canada, situated at the base of the ] near the northern shore of ]. Opened in 1989 on the former ], it is home to the ] of ] (MLB). As well as being improved over the decades, during the MLB offseasons of 2022–24, the stadium was renovated by upgrading the sports facilities and hospitality whilst reducing the capacity for baseball games. While it is primarily a sports venue, the stadium also hosts other large events such as ], ]s, ]s, ], ]es and ] shows.


The stadium was renamed "Rogers Centre" following the 2005 purchase of the stadium by ], the corporation that also owns the Toronto Blue Jays.<ref name=CBC /><ref name="Rogers Purchases SkyDome">{{cite web |title = Goodbye SkyDome, hello Rogers Centre|url = http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/goodbye-skydome-hello-rogers-centre-1.549230|website = CBC Sports|date = February 2, 2005|access-date = May 28, 2015}}</ref> The venue is noted for being the first stadium to have a ], as well as for the 348-room hotel attached to it with 70 rooms overlooking the field.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1131117-2012-mlb-season-power-ranking-the-30-stadiums#articles/1131117-2012-mlb-season-power-ranking-the-30-stadiums/page/21|title=Power Ranking All 30 MLB Stadiums|author=John Ewen|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> It is also the last North American major-league stadium built to accommodate both ] and ]. The stadium served as the site of both the ] and ] of the ] (renamed the '''Pan-Am Dome''' or '''Pan-Am Ceremonies Venue''' due to sponsorship regulations).<ref>{{cite web|title=Rogers Centre Among Venues Proposed for 2015 Pan Am Games|url=http://www.bizbash.com/toronto/content/editorial/14569_rogers_centre_ontario_place_among_venues_proposed_for_2015_pan_am_games.php|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731003215/http://www.bizbash.com/toronto/content/editorial/14569_rogers_centre_ontario_place_among_venues_proposed_for_2015_pan_am_games.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2012|website=Biz Bash Toronto|date=November 7, 2009|access-date=November 7, 2009|quote=Rogers Centre, Ontario Place Among Venues Proposed for 2015 Pan Am Games}}</ref> Previously, the stadium was also home to the ] of the ] (CFL) and the ] of the ] (NBA). The ] of the ] (NFL) played an annual game at the stadium as part of the ] from 2008 to 2013. The stadium served as the site of both the ] and ] of the ] (renamed the '''Pan-Am Dome''' or '''Pan-Am Ceremonies Venue''' due to sponsorship regulations).<ref>{{cite web |date=November 7, 2009 |title=Rogers Centre Among Venues Proposed for 2015 Pan Am Games |url=http://www.bizbash.com/toronto/content/editorial/14569_rogers_centre_ontario_place_among_venues_proposed_for_2015_pan_am_games.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731003215/http://www.bizbash.com/toronto/content/editorial/14569_rogers_centre_ontario_place_among_venues_proposed_for_2015_pan_am_games.php |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |access-date=November 7, 2009 |website=Biz Bash Toronto |quote=Rogers Centre, Ontario Place Among Venues Proposed for 2015 Pan Am Games}}</ref>

The stadium was renamed "Rogers Centre" following the 2005 purchase of the stadium by ], the corporation that also owns the Toronto Blue Jays.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/skydome-now-rogers-centre-turns-25-1.2662889|title = SkyDome, now Rogers Centre, turns 25|date = June 3, 2014|website = CBC News|publisher = ]|quote = When Rogers bought the building in 2005, the stadium's official name switched to Rogers Centre. Many still refer to it as SkyDome, a name that came through a fan-naming contest.}}</ref><ref name="Rogers Purchases SkyDome">{{cite web |title = Goodbye SkyDome, hello Rogers Centre|url = http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/goodbye-skydome-hello-rogers-centre-1.549230|website = CBC Sports|date = February 2, 2005|access-date = May 28, 2015}}</ref> The venue is noted for being the first stadium to have a ], as well as for the 348-room hotel attached to it with 70 rooms overlooking the field.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1131117-2012-mlb-season-power-ranking-the-30-stadiums#articles/1131117-2012-mlb-season-power-ranking-the-30-stadiums/page/21|title=Power Ranking All 30 MLB Stadiums|author=John Ewen|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> It is the last North American major-league stadium built to accommodate both ] and ].


== History == == History ==
=== Background and design===
The idea of building a domed stadium can be traced back to the 1968 Olympic bid that Toronto lost to Montreal as the Canadian candidate city for the ]. In the proposal, an 80,000–100,000 seat complex would be part of the planned Harbour City development on the site of ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Bidding for the Summer Olympics |url=https://torontoist.com/2015/07/bidding-for-the-summer-olympics/ |website=Torontoist.com |date=July 29, 2015 |publisher=Torontoist.com |access-date=26 June 2020 |ref=Bidding for the Summer Olympics}}</ref>


===Background and design===
The contemporary impetus for building an enclosed sports venue in Toronto came following the ] game in November 1982, held at the outdoor ]. The game (in which the hometown ] (also known as the Argos) were making their first Grey Cup appearance since ]) was played in a driving rainstorm that left most of the crowd drenched, leading the media to call it "the Rain Bowl". As many of the seats were completely exposed to the elements, thousands watched the game from the concession section. To make a bad experience even worse, the washrooms overflowed. In attendance that day was ], the ], and the poor conditions were seen by the largest television audience in Canada (over 7.862 million viewers) to that point.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016233646/http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=page&id=33 |date=October 16, 2015 }}, Canada.</ref> The following day, at a rally for the Argos at ], tens of thousands of people who attended the game began to chant, "We want a ]! We want a dome!"<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K1JsDAAAQBAJ&q=toronto+rally+1982+we+want+a+dome&pg=PT785 | title=Paikin on Ontario's Premiers 2-Book Bundle: Bill Davis / Paikin and the Premiers| isbn=9781459738331| last1=Paikin| first1=Steve| date=2016-10-22}}</ref>
The idea of building a domed stadium can be traced back to the bid that Toronto lost to ] as the Canadian candidate city for the ]. In the proposal, an 80,000–100,000 seat complex would be part of the planned Harbour City development on the site of ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Bidding for the Summer Olympics |url=https://torontoist.com/2015/07/bidding-for-the-summer-olympics/ |website=Torontoist.com |date=July 29, 2015 |access-date=June 26, 2020 |ref=Bidding for the Summer Olympics}}</ref>

The contemporary impetus for building an enclosed sports venue in Toronto came following the ] game in November 1982, held at the outdoor ]. The game, in which the hometown ] (also known as the Argos) were making their first Grey Cup appearance since ], was played in a driving rainstorm that left most of the crowd drenched, leading the media to call it "the Rain Bowl". As many of the seats were completely exposed to the elements, thousands watched the game from the concession section. To make a bad experience even worse, the washrooms overflowed. In attendance that day was ], the ], and the poor conditions were seen by the largest television audience in Canada (over 7.862 million viewers) to that point.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016233646/http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=page&id=33 |date=October 16, 2015 }}, Canada.</ref> The following day, at a rally for the Argos at ], tens of thousands of people who attended the game began to chant, "We want a ]! We want a dome!"<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K1JsDAAAQBAJ&q=toronto+rally+1982+we+want+a+dome&pg=PT785 | title=Paikin on Ontario's Premiers 2-Book Bundle: Bill Davis / Paikin and the Premiers| isbn=9781459738331| last1=Paikin| first1=Steve| date=October 22, 2016| publisher=Dundurn}}</ref>


Seven months later, in June 1983, Davis formally announced a three-person committee would look into the feasibility of building a domed stadium at ]. The committee consisted of ], ] and former Ontario Hydro chairman Hugh Macaulay.<ref>Miller, David (October 7, 1984). Battle Is On for Right to Build Our Domed Stadium. ]. pg A1, A13.</ref> Seven months later, in June 1983, Davis formally announced a three-person committee would look into the feasibility of building a domed stadium at ]. The committee consisted of ], ] and former Ontario Hydro chairman Hugh Macaulay.<ref>Miller, David (October 7, 1984). Battle Is On for Right to Build Our Domed Stadium. ]. pg A1, A13.</ref>
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The committee examined various projects, including a large indoor stadium at Exhibition Place with an air-supported dome, similar to ] in Vancouver. In 1985, an international design competition was launched to design a new stadium, along with selection of a site. Some of the proposed sites included Exhibition Place, ], and ]. The final site was at the base of the ] not far from ], a major railway and transit hub. The ] were a major ] rail switching yard encompassing the ] (the desolate downtown lands were part of a master plan for revitalizing the area, which includes ]). Ultimately, the Robbie/Allen concept won because it provided the largest roof opening of all the finalists, and it was the most technically sound. The committee examined various projects, including a large indoor stadium at Exhibition Place with an air-supported dome, similar to ] in Vancouver. In 1985, an international design competition was launched to design a new stadium, along with selection of a site. Some of the proposed sites included Exhibition Place, ], and ]. The final site was at the base of the ] not far from ], a major railway and transit hub. The ] were a major ] rail switching yard encompassing the ] (the desolate downtown lands were part of a master plan for revitalizing the area, which includes ]). Ultimately, the Robbie/Allen concept won because it provided the largest roof opening of all the finalists, and it was the most technically sound.


The stadium was designed by architect ] and structural engineer Michael Allen and was constructed by the ] Construction company of ] and the ] of Lachine, Quebec. The stadium's construction lasted about two and a half years, from October 1986 to May 1989. The approximate cost of construction was ]570&nbsp;million<ref name=cbcwinlose /> (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|570000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}) which was paid for by the ], ] ], the City of Toronto, and a large ] of corporations.<ref>Romell, Rick. "Tax money for stadium site backed". Milwaukee Sentinel May 16, 1989: 1–6.</ref> The stadium was designed by architect ] and structural engineer Michael Allen and was constructed by the ] Construction company of ] and the ] of Lachine, Quebec. The stadium's construction lasted about {{frac|2|1|2}} years, from October 1986 to May 1989. The approximate cost of construction was ]570&nbsp;million<ref name=cbcwinlose>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/you-win-some-you-lose-some-1.1060052|title=You win some, you lose some|date=February 9, 2011|access-date=December 27, 2013|publisher=]}}</ref> (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|570000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}) which was paid for by the ], ] ], the City of Toronto, and a large ] of corporations.<ref>Romell, Rick. "Tax money for stadium site backed". Milwaukee Sentinel May 16, 1989: 1–6.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/1621/inside-the-venue-torontos-rogers-centre|title=Inside the venue: Toronto's Rogers Centre|date=April 29, 2011|access-date=December 28, 2013|publisher=]}}</ref>


=== Financing === === Financing ===
The stadium was funded by a ], with the government paying the largest percentage of the cost. The initial cost of $150&nbsp;million was greatly underestimated,<ref name=deMause>{{cite web|url=http://demause.net/skydome.html|title=DOME TO NOWHERE|author=]}}</ref> with the final cost coming in at ]570&nbsp;million (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|570000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}).<ref name=cbcwinlose /> Two levels of government (] and Provincial) each initially contributed $30&nbsp;million (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|30000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}).<ref name=cbcwinlose /><ref name=deMause /><ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/ballpark/reference/index.jsp?content=history|title=ROGERS CENTRE HISTORY|access-date=December 28, 2013|publisher=]}}</ref> This does not include the value of the land that the stadium sits on, which is owned by the ] (a ]) and the City of Toronto and was leased for $900,000 a year through 2088.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/sold/article18278584/|title=Sold . . .|first=Michael|last=Grange|newspaper=]|date=November 30, 2004}}</ref> ] (], ], and ]) and the Toronto Blue Jays each paid $5&nbsp;million (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|5000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}) to help fund the stadium.<ref name=history /> An additional 26 other Canadian corporations (selected by invitation only) also contributed $5&nbsp;million,<ref name=history /> for which they received one of the 161 Skyboxes with four parking spaces (for ten years, with an opportunity for renewal) and a 99-year exclusive option on stadium advertising. Skyboxes initially leased for $150,000 up to $225,000 (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|150000|1989}}}} to ${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|225000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}) a year in 1989&nbsp;– plus the cost of tickets for all events. The stadium was funded by a ], with the government paying the largest percentage of the cost. The initial cost of $150&nbsp;million was greatly underestimated,<ref name=deMause>{{cite web|url=http://demause.net/skydome.html|title=DOME TO NOWHERE|author=]}}</ref> as the final cost was ]570&nbsp;million (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|570000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}).<ref name=cbcwinlose /> Two levels of government (] and provincial) each initially contributed $30&nbsp;million (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|30000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}).<ref name=cbcwinlose /><ref name=deMause /><ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/ballpark/reference/index.jsp?content=history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206044418/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/ballpark/reference/index.jsp?content=history|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 6, 2010|title=ROGERS CENTRE HISTORY|access-date=December 28, 2013|publisher=]}}</ref> This does not include the value of the land that the stadium sits on, which was owned by the ] (a ]) and the City of Toronto and was leased for $900,000 a year through 2088.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/sold/article18278584/|title=Sold . . .|first=Michael|last=Grange|newspaper=]|date=November 30, 2004}}</ref> ] (], ], and ]) and the Toronto Blue Jays each paid $5&nbsp;million (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|5000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}) to help fund the stadium.<ref name=history /> An additional 26 other Canadian corporations (selected by invitation only) also contributed $5&nbsp;million,<ref name=history /> for which they received one of the 161 Skyboxes with four parking spaces (for ten years, with an opportunity for renewal) and a 99-year exclusive option on stadium advertising. The initial cost of leasing a Skybox ranged from $150,000 to $225,000 (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|150000|1989}}}} to ${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|225000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}) a year in 1989&nbsp;– plus the cost of tickets for all events.


The then unusual financing structure created controversy. First of all, there was no public tender for supplies and equipment. Secondly, companies that paid the $5&nbsp;million fee, such as ], ] and ], received 100 percent stadium exclusivity,<ref name=cbcwinlose /> including advertising rights, for the life of their contract that could be extended up to 99&nbsp;years. Third, the contracts were not put up for bid, meaning there was some doubt the contracts were made at a market rate: ] stated at the time that had they known the terms of the contract they would have paid far more than $5&nbsp;million for the rights. Local media like ] called the amount charged to the companies "scandalously low".<ref>], December 3–9, 1998.</ref> The then unusual financing structure created controversy. First of all, there was no public tender for supplies and equipment. Secondly, companies that paid the $5&nbsp;million fee, such as ], ] and ], received 100 percent stadium exclusivity,<ref name=cbcwinlose /> including advertising rights, for the life of their contract that could be extended up to 99&nbsp;years. Third, the contracts were not put up for bid, meaning there was some doubt the contracts were made at a market rate: ] stated at the time that had it known the terms of the contract it would have paid far more than $5&nbsp;million for the rights. Local media like ] called the amount charged to the companies "scandalously low".<ref>], December 3–9, 1998.</ref>


=== Construction === === Construction ===
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Because of its location south of the major railway corridor, new pedestrian connections had to be built; the infrastructure was part of the reason for the high cost of the stadium. The ] is an approximately {{convert|500|m|adj=on}} enclosed walkway that leads from the base of the CN Tower and via a bridge connects to Union Station (and is part of the ] network). The John Street ] was built to provide north–south passage over the rail tracks, linking Front Street with the stadium. Because of its location south of the major railway corridor, new pedestrian connections had to be built; the infrastructure was part of the reason for the high cost of the stadium. The ] is an approximately {{convert|500|m|adj=on}} enclosed walkway that leads from the base of the CN Tower and via a bridge connects to Union Station (and is part of the ] network). The John Street ] was built to provide north–south passage over the rail tracks, linking Front Street with the stadium.


Construction at the site, which at one time was south of the shoreline, unearthed over 1,500 artifacts. These included a 200-year-old French cannon used as ballast for a ship, cannonballs, pottery and a telescope.<ref>{{cite news |work=Toronto Star |title=Toronto's waterfront: Dredging up the past to build the future |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/08/06/torontos_waterfront_dredging_up_the_past_to_build_the_future.html |date=August 6, 2013 |first=Tim |last=Alamenciak |access-date=March 7, 2019}}</ref> The stadium was completed two months late, having been planned to open for the first regular season game of the ]; the team played the first two months of their home schedule at Exhibition Stadium that year. Construction at the site, which at one time was south of the shoreline, unearthed over 1,500 artifacts. These included a 200-year-old French cannon used as ballast for a ship, cannonballs, pottery and a telescope.<ref>{{cite news |work=Toronto Star |title=Toronto's waterfront: Dredging up the past to build the future |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/08/06/torontos_waterfront_dredging_up_the_past_to_build_the_future.html |date=August 6, 2013 |first=Tim |last=Alamenciak |access-date=March 7, 2019}}</ref> The stadium was completed two months late, having been planned to open for the first regular season game of the ]; the team played the first two months of its home schedule at Exhibition Stadium that year.


=== Naming === === Naming ===
] ]
The official name prior to and during construction was the 'Ontario Stadium Project' but was widely referred to in local media as simply 'the Dome' or 'Toronto Domed' stadium. As completion neared the name "SkyDome" was chosen as part of a province-wide "name the stadium" contest in 1987. Sponsored by the '']'', ballots were offered for people to submit their suggested name, with lifetime seats behind home plate to all events at the stadium (including concerts) as the prize. Over 150,000 entries were received with 12,897 different names. The selection committee narrowed it down to four choices: "Towerdome", "Harbourdome", "SkyDome", and simply "the Dome". The judges' final selection was SkyDome. Premier ] drew the prize-winning entry of Kellie Watson from a lottery barrel containing the over-2,000 entries that proposed "SkyDome". At the press conference announcing the name, Chuck Magwood, president of the Stadium Corporation of Ontario (Stadco), the crown corporation created to run SkyDome,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://business.highbeam.com/416338/article-1G1-30127808/skydome-then-and-now |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-04-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309210650/https://business.highbeam.com/416338/article-1G1-30127808/skydome-then-and-now |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref> commented: "The sky is a huge part of the whole roof process. The name has a sense of the infinite and that's what this is all about." Kellie Watson received lifetime seating of choice at SkyDome, which is still honoured after the stadium was renamed to Rogers Centre, under new ownership. The official name prior to and during construction was the 'Ontario Stadium Project' but was widely referred to in local media as simply 'the Dome' or 'Toronto Domed stadium'. As completion neared the name "SkyDome" was chosen as part of a province-wide "name the stadium" contest in 1987. Sponsored by the '']'', ballots were offered for people to submit their suggested name, with lifetime seats behind home plate to all events at the stadium (including concerts) as the prize. Over 150,000 entries were received with 12,897 different names. The selection committee narrowed it down to four choices: "Towerdome", "Harbourdome", "SkyDome", and simply "the Dome". The judges' final selection was SkyDome. Premier ] drew the prize-winning entry of Kellie Watson from a lottery barrel containing the over-2,000 entries that proposed "SkyDome". At the press conference announcing the name, Chuck Magwood, president of the Stadium Corporation of Ontario (Stadco), the crown corporation created to run SkyDome,<ref>{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=M.E.|title=The Skydome a/k/a Rogers Centre, turns 25|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2014-06-04/skydome-rogers-centre-25th-anniversary-blue-jays|website=Sporting News|access-date=November 19, 2014|archive-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630233544/http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2014-06-04/skydome-rogers-centre-25th-anniversary-blue-jays|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://business.highbeam.com/416338/article-1G1-30127808/skydome-then-and-now |title=SkyDome, then and now |access-date=April 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309210650/https://business.highbeam.com/416338/article-1G1-30127808/skydome-then-and-now |archive-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref> commented: "The sky is a huge part of the whole roof process. The name has a sense of the infinite and that's what this is all about." Kellie Watson received lifetime seating of choice at SkyDome, which is still honoured after the stadium was renamed to Rogers Centre, under new ownership.


=== Opening === === Opening ===
] location at the SkyDome in August 1989; the McDonald's location has since been replaced.]] ] location at the SkyDome in August 1989 with a performer in a ] costume in attendance; the McDonald's location has since been replaced.]]
The stadium officially opened on June 3, 1989, and hosted an official grand opening show: "The Opening of SkyDome: A Celebration", broadcast on ] the following evening hosted by ]. With a crowd of over 50,000 in attendance, the event included appearances by ], ], ] of ], impersonator ] and rock band ]. The roof was ceremonially "opened" by Ontario Premier ] with a laser pen. The roof's opening exposed the crowd to a downpour of rain. Despite audible chants of "close the roof", Magwood insisted the roof remain fully open. The stadium officially opened on June 3, 1989, and hosted an official grand opening show: "The Opening of SkyDome: A Celebration", broadcast on ] the following evening hosted by ]. With a crowd of over 50,000 in attendance, the event included appearances by ], ], ] of ], impressionist ] and rock band ]. The roof was ceremonially "opened" by Ontario Premier ] (no relation to Oscar) with a laser pen. The roof's opening exposed the crowd to a downpour of rain. Despite audible chants of "close the roof", Magwood insisted the roof remain fully open.


=== Financial problems and fallout === === Financial problems and fallout ===
The stadium became a thorn in the side of ]'s ] government for repeated cost overruns. After the ] were defeated by the ] in the ], a review by the new ] government in October 1990 revealed Stadco's debt meant the Dome would have to be booked 600&nbsp;days a year to turn a profit, almost twice as many days as there are days in a calendar year. The stadium income was only $17&nbsp;million in its first year of operations, while debt service was $40&nbsp;million. It was determined the abrupt late inclusion by Stadco of a hotel and health club added an additional $112&nbsp;million to the cost of the building. The stadium became a thorn in the side of David Peterson's ] government for repeated cost overruns. After the ] were defeated by the ] in the ], a review by the new ] government in October 1990 revealed Stadco's debt meant the Dome would have to be booked 600&nbsp;days a year to turn a profit, almost twice as many days as there are days in a calendar year. The stadium income was only $17&nbsp;million in its first year of operations, while debt service was $40&nbsp;million. It was determined the abrupt late inclusion by Stadco of a hotel and health club added an additional $112&nbsp;million to the cost of the building.


As the province slipped into ], Rae appointed ] professor ] and ] President ] to the Stadco board to help deal with the stadium's growing debt, but the original $165&nbsp;million debt had increased to $400&nbsp;million by 1993.<ref name=cbcwinlose /><ref name=deMause /> Stadco became a political liability, and in March 1994, the Ontario government paid off all outstanding Stadco debts from the government treasury and sold the stadium for $151&nbsp;million to a private consortium that included Labatt Breweries, the Blue Jays' owner.<ref name=deMause /><ref name=rogersbuy /> As the province slipped into ], Rae appointed ] professor ] and ] President ] to the Stadco board to help deal with the stadium's growing debt, but the original $165&nbsp;million debt had increased to $400&nbsp;million by 1993.<ref name=cbcwinlose /><ref name=deMause /> Stadco became a political liability, and in March 1994, the Ontario government paid off all outstanding Stadco debts from the government treasury and sold the stadium for $151&nbsp;million to a private consortium that included Labatt Breweries, the Blue Jays' owner.<ref name=deMause /><ref name=rogersbuy />
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In November 2004, ], parent company of the Blue Jays, acquired SkyDome, excluding the attached SkyDome hotel, which had been sold to Renaissance for a reported $31 million in 1999, from Sportsco for about $25&nbsp;million&nbsp;– roughly four percent of the cost of construction.<ref name=rogersbuy /> In November 2004, ], parent company of the Blue Jays, acquired SkyDome, excluding the attached SkyDome hotel, which had been sold to Renaissance for a reported $31 million in 1999, from Sportsco for about $25&nbsp;million&nbsp;– roughly four percent of the cost of construction.<ref name=rogersbuy />


On February 2, 2005, ], President and ] of Rogers Communications, announced a three-year corporate contract to change the name of SkyDome to Rogers Centre. The name change remains controversial and is unpopular with many fans, most of whom continue to refer to it as SkyDome ] from the purchase of ]. One example is a 25,000-name petition started by ] bus driver Randy Rajmoolie.<ref name=petition>{{cite news |title=12,000 people sign petition demanding Jays' stadium has name restored to 'SkyDome'|url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/12-000-people-sign-petition-demanding-jays-stadium-has-name-restored-to-skydome-1.2851527|work=]|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> A baseball diamond in Toronto's ] is named SkyDome after the stadium's former and popular name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blogto.com/city/2020/07/trinity-bellwoods-skydome-finally-recognized/|title=The Skydome in Trinity Bellwoods Park has finally been recognized}}</ref><!--Please don't mention plans to rename the Rogers Centre, as it isn't verified by reliable sources--> On February 2, 2005, ], President and ] of Rogers Communications, announced a three-year corporate contract to change the name of SkyDome to Rogers Centre. The name change remains controversial and is unpopular with many fans, most of whom continue to refer to it as SkyDome ] from the purchase of ]. One example is a 25,000-name petition started by ] bus driver Randy Rajmoolie.<ref name=petition>{{cite news |title=12,000 people sign petition demanding Jays' stadium has name restored to 'SkyDome'|url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/12-000-people-sign-petition-demanding-jays-stadium-has-name-restored-to-skydome-1.2851527|work=]|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> A baseball diamond in Toronto's ] is officially named SkyDome after the stadium's former and popular name.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blogto.com/city/2020/07/trinity-bellwoods-skydome-finally-recognized/|title=The Skydome in Trinity Bellwoods Park has finally been recognized}}</ref><!--Please don't mention plans to rename the Rogers Centre, as it isn't verified by reliable sources-->
]
After the purchase Rogers refurbished the stadium by, among other things, replacing the ] with a ] video display, and erecting other new monitors, including several built into the outfield wall. They also installed a new ] artificial playing surface.<ref name=rogers>{{cite news |title=Goodbye Skydome, Hello Rogers Centre|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2005/02/02/skydome050201.html|work=]|date=February 2, 2005|access-date=June 13, 2008}}</ref>


After the purchase, Rogers refurbished the stadium by, among other things, replacing the ] with a ] video display, and erecting other new monitors, including several built into the outfield wall. They also installed a new ] artificial playing surface.<ref name=rogers>{{cite news |title=Goodbye Skydome, Hello Rogers Centre|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/goodbye-skydome-hello-rogers-centre-1.549230|work=]|date=February 2, 2005|access-date=June 13, 2008}}</ref>
In May 2005, the ] agreed to three five-year leases at Rogers Centre, which could have seen the Argonauts play out of Rogers Centre up to and including 2019. The team had the option to leave at the end of each of the three lease agreements.<ref>{{cite news |title=Toronto Argonauts May Soon Be Homeless|first=Daniel|last=Girard|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/cfl/argos/article/1128259--toronto-argonauts-may-soon-be-homeless|newspaper=]|date=February 8, 2012|access-date=February 8, 2012}}</ref> Proposed plans to lock Rogers Centre into its baseball configuration permanently in order to install a natural grass surface forced the Argonauts to relocate to ] before the 2016 season.<ref name="Toronto Argonauts">{{cite news|date=May 20, 2015|access-date=May 20, 2015|title=Bell Canada and Kilmer Group to acquire Argonauts|url=http://argonauts.ca/article/bell-canada-and-kilmer-group-to-acquire-argonauts|publisher=Toronto Argonauts|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522130512/http://argonauts.ca/article/bell-canada-and-kilmer-group-to-acquire-argonauts|archive-date=May 22, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=cbc-bellargos>{{cite web|title=Argonauts announce sale, move to BMO Field|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/argonauts-announce-sale-move-to-bmo-field-1.3080235|website=CBC News|access-date=May 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name=bell>{{cite news|title=Bell, Larry Tanenbaum to purchase Argonauts|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2015/05/19/bell-larry-tanenbaum-to-purchase-argonauts.html|access-date=May 20, 2015|work=Toronto Star|date=May 19, 2015}}</ref> However, it is now unclear whether the planned surface replacement and configuration change will take place, if at all, despite the Argonauts' departure.


In May 2005, the ] agreed to three five-year leases at Rogers Centre, which could have seen the Argonauts play out of Rogers Centre up to and including 2019. The team had the option to leave at the end of each of the three lease agreements.<ref>{{cite news |title=Toronto Argonauts May Soon Be Homeless|first=Daniel|last=Girard|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/cfl/argos/article/1128259--toronto-argonauts-may-soon-be-homeless|newspaper=]|date=February 8, 2012|access-date=February 8, 2012}}</ref> Proposed plans to lock Rogers Centre into its baseball configuration permanently in order to install a natural grass surface forced the Argonauts to relocate to ] before the 2016 season.<ref name="Toronto Argonauts">{{cite news|date=May 20, 2015|access-date=May 20, 2015|title=Bell Canada and Kilmer Group to acquire Argonauts|url=http://argonauts.ca/article/bell-canada-and-kilmer-group-to-acquire-argonauts|publisher=Toronto Argonauts|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522130512/http://argonauts.ca/article/bell-canada-and-kilmer-group-to-acquire-argonauts|archive-date=May 22, 2015}}</ref><ref name=cbc-bellargos>{{cite web|title=Argonauts announce sale, move to BMO Field|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/argonauts-announce-sale-move-to-bmo-field-1.3080235|website=CBC News|access-date=May 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name=bell>{{cite news|title=Bell, Larry Tanenbaum to purchase Argonauts|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2015/05/19/bell-larry-tanenbaum-to-purchase-argonauts.html|access-date=May 20, 2015|work=Toronto Star|date=May 19, 2015}}</ref>
In November 2005, Rogers Centre received a complete makeover to "open" the 100 Level concourse to the playing field and convert 43 luxury boxes to "party suites". This required some seats to be removed, which decreased overall capacity.<ref name="Blue Jays continue renovations to Rogers Centre; Changes create a more fan-friendly environment">{{cite press release|title=Blue Jays Continue Renovations to Rogers Centre; Changes Create a More Fan-Friendly Environment|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060403&content_id=1381328&vkey=pr_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|publisher=]|date=April 3, 2006|access-date=June 13, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224044119/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060403&content_id=1381328&vkey=pr_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|archive-date=February 24, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


In November 2005, Rogers Centre received a complete makeover to "open" the 100 Level concourse to the playing field and convert 43 luxury boxes to "party suites". This required some seats to be removed, which decreased overall capacity.<ref name="Blue Jays continue renovations to Rogers Centre; Changes create a more fan-friendly environment">{{cite press release|title=Blue Jays Continue Renovations to Rogers Centre; Changes Create a More Fan-Friendly Environment|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060403&content_id=1381328&vkey=pr_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|publisher=]|date=April 3, 2006|access-date=June 13, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224044119/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20060403&content_id=1381328&vkey=pr_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor|archive-date=February 24, 2012}}</ref>
In April 2006, Rogers Centre became one of the first buildings of its size to adopt a completely smoke-free policy in Canada, anticipating an act of provincial legislature that required all Ontario public places to go smoke-free by June 1, 2006.


In April 2006, Rogers Centre became one of the first buildings of its size to adopt a completely smoke-free policy in Canada, anticipating an act of provincial legislature that required all Ontario public places to go smoke-free by June 1, 2006.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}
Alcohol was not available to patrons of Rogers Centre on April 7, 2009, as the ] imposed the first of a three-day alcohol suspension at the stadium for "infractions (that) took place at certain past events", according to the press release.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Rogers Centre Announces Dates for Alcohol Service Suspension|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2009/03/c7531.html|publisher=Newswire.ca|date=April 3, 2009|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref>


Alcohol was not available to patrons of Rogers Centre on April 7, 2009, as the ] (AGCO) imposed the first of a three-day alcohol suspension at the stadium for "infractions (that) took place at certain past events", according to the press release.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Rogers Centre Announces Dates for Alcohol Service Suspension|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2009/03/c7531.html|publisher=Newswire.ca|date=April 3, 2009|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref>
=== Improvements ===

=== Major renovation in the 2020s ===
By 2020, with the Rogers Center over 30 years old and one of the oldest ], Rogers had begun to explore options for the long-term home of the team. Rogers Communications and ] reportedly discussed replacing Rogers Centre with a smaller, baseball-specific stadium plus residential towers, office buildings, retail stores and public space. The new venue would be constructed on the southern end of the current stadium and adjacent parking lots, while the mixed-use development would be built on the northern portion of the site. An alternate site was also been considered for a new baseball park at ] in Toronto's east end next to ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Rogers Centre faces demolition as Blue Jays owner plans new stadium |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-rogers-centre-faces-demolition-as-blue-jays-owner-plans-new-stadium/ |website=The Globe and Mail |access-date=November 27, 2020}}</ref>

However, the Blue Jays instead decided to undertake a major $400 million renovation of the stadium's interior in two phases, during the 2022{{snd}}2023 and 2023{{snd}}2024 offseasons.<ref name=2022reno/> The objective of the renovations was to extend the ballpark's ] by another 10–15 years, while continuing to plan for a new stadium or more significant rebuild of the Rogers Centre within the next 10 to 12 years.<ref name=2022reno>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/rogers-centre-renovation-plans | title=Blue Jays announce renovation plans for Rogers Centre | website=]|access-date=8 October 2024|date=28 July 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/toronto-blue-jays-reveal-what-rogers-centre-looks-like-ahead-of-2024-home-opener-1.6813372|website=torontoctvnews.ca |title=Toronto Blue Jays reveal what Rogers Centre looks like ahead of 2024 home opener| date=19 March 2024}}</ref>

====2022–2023====
]]]
The first phase of the renovations was designed by ] and involved re-orienting ] seats to face home plate, raising ]s, adjusting the outfield dimensions to be asymmetrical, adding social spaces with bars in the outfield sections of the 500 Level (the highest level), and removing some seats to widen all remaining seats, thereby reducing capacity to 41,500 attendees.<ref name=digest1>{{cite web| url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2022/07/28/blue-jays-unveil-details-renderings-for-2023-rogers-centre-renovations/| website=ballparkdigest.com| title=Blue Jays unveil details, renderings for 2023 Rogers Centre renovations| date=28 July 2022| access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref><ref name=star/> The ] home opener was moved a few days later to accommodate the first phase of the renovation.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2023/04/new-fan-experiences-unveiled-rogers-centre-ahead-jays-home-opener.51979| website=urbantoronto.ca| title=New Fan Experiences Unveiled at Rogers Centre Ahead of Jays' Home Opener| date=6 April 2023| access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref>

====2023–2024====
The second phase involved re-orienting the infield seats to face home plate, the addition of cupholders to the seats in the 100 Level, as well as reducing the size of foul territory, improving the dugouts for the Blue Jays and their opponents, and the addition of LED backstop advertising to cover the entire backstop, which is much more visible during television broadcasts.<ref name=digest2>{{cite web| url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2023/07/27/2024-rogers-centre-renovations-unveiled-by-blue-jays/| website=ballparkdigest.com| title=2024 Rogers Centre renovations unveiled by Blue Jays| date=27 July 2023| access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref> Following the second phase, capacity of the stadium was reduced further to 39,150.<ref name=star>{{cite web| url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/blue-jays/the-rogers-centre-transformation-is-almost-complete-heres-what-blue-jays-fans-should-know-about/article_bf028bd4-ef8f-11ee-9598-8b0317fd9860.html|website=thestar.com| title=The Rogers Centre transformation is almost complete. Here's what Blue Jays fans should know about the renovations| date=4 April 2024}}</ref> The ] home opener was also moved a few days later to accommodate the second phase of the renovation.

=== List of improvements ===
{{more citations needed section|date=June 2015}} {{more citations needed section|date=June 2015}}
Significant improvements to the facility since opening in 1989 include: Significant improvements to the facility since opening in 1989 include:
* Exterior roof lighting that can be programmed for themes and events.
]
* Exterior roof lighting that can be programmed for themes and/or events.
* The Blue Jays clubhouse was substantially renovated, including a larger training room, an open concept lounge and personal lockers. In total, the clubhouse expanded from {{convert|12000|to|24000|ft2|m2}}. * The Blue Jays clubhouse was substantially renovated, including a larger training room, an open concept lounge and personal lockers. In total, the clubhouse expanded from {{convert|12000|to|24000|ft2|m2}}.
* Main level concourse expansion, making the space brighter, more fan-friendly with expanded wheelchair seating. * Main level concourse expansion, making the space brighter, more fan-friendly with expanded wheelchair seating.
* The FieldTurf was upgraded to AstroTurf Gameday Grass for 2010. * The FieldTurf was upgraded to AstroTurf Gameday Grass for 2010.
* The main video board was upgraded in 2005, from a JumboTron to a modern Daktronics video board, measuring {{convert|33|by|110|ft}}. * The main video board was upgraded in 2005, from a JumboTron to a modern Daktronics video board, measuring {{convert|33|by|110|ft}}.
] Shop at Rogers Centre]]
* Jays Shop – Stadium Edition, was expanded to an {{convert|8000|ft2|m2|adj=on}} retail space along the main concourse (2007). * Jays Shop – Stadium Edition, was expanded to an {{convert|8000|ft2|m2|adj=on}} retail space along the main concourse (2007).
* Two video boards were built into the outfield fence that each measure {{convert|10|by|65|ft|0}}. These boards provide player stats, out-of-town scores and other information related to the game and league. * Two video boards were built into the outfield fence that each measure {{convert|10|by|65|ft|0}}. These boards provide player stats, out-of-town scores and other information related to the game and league.
* A continuous, ribbon-style video board was installed on the facing of the 300 Level, providing statistics and scores. * A continuous, ribbon-style video board was installed on the facing of the 300 Level, providing statistics and scores.
* Installation of 150 new {{convert|42|in|m|2|adj=on}} flat-screen video monitors in the main and second level concourses, bringing the number of stadium monitors to around 300. * Installation of 150 new {{convert|42|in|m|2|adj=on}} flat-screen video monitors in the main- and second-level concourses, bringing the number of stadium monitors to around 300.
* Upgrade of the entire field lighting system in a two-month conversion process with all 840 of the 2,000-watt bowl lights replaced. * Upgrade of the entire field lighting system in a two-month conversion process with all 840 of the 2,000-watt bowl lights replaced.
* A centre-field porch (later named the West Jet Flight Deck) in the 200 Level was added following the removal of the windows of the former Windows Restaurant (2013, $2 million).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citynews.ca/2013/03/30/windows-restaurant-at-rogers-centre-gets-2m-renovation/|title=Windows Restaurant at Rogers Centre gets $2M renovation|date=March 30, 2013|access-date=January 6, 2014|publisher=]}}</ref><ref name=decade>{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/buzz/articles/438322-250-million-renovations-coming-to-rogers-centre|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140107053122/http://www.thescore.com/buzz/articles/438322-250-million-renovations-coming-to-rogers-centre|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2014|title=$250-Million Renovations Coming To Rogers Centre|access-date=January 6, 2014|publisher=]}}</ref> * A centre-field porch (later named the ] Flight Deck) in the 200 Level was added following the removal of the windows of the former Windows Restaurant (2013, $2 million).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2013/03/30/windows-restaurant-at-rogers-centre-gets-2m-renovation/|title=Windows Restaurant at Rogers Centre gets $2M renovation|date=March 30, 2013|access-date=January 6, 2014|publisher=]}}</ref><ref name=decade>{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/buzz/articles/438322-250-million-renovations-coming-to-rogers-centre|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140107053122/http://www.thescore.com/buzz/articles/438322-250-million-renovations-coming-to-rogers-centre|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2014|title=$250-Million Renovations Coming To Rogers Centre|access-date=January 6, 2014|publisher=]}}</ref>
* The AstroTurf Gameday Grass was upgraded to AstroTurf Gameday Grass 3D Extreme for the ].
* In April 2014, an open-air organist's booth was installed next to the West Jet Flight Deck to provide traditional ballpark theme music during games.
* The AstroTurf Gameday Grass was upgraded to AstroTurf Gameday Grass 3D Extreme for the ] season.
* A full dirt infield was installed for {{nowrap|];<ref name=wbgodiar>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-adding-dirt-infield-at-rogers-centre/c-164164706 |website=MLB.com |last=Chisholm |first=Gregor |title=Work begins on dirt infield at Rogers Centre|date=February 10, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name=alddebu>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/07/blue-jays-debut-rogers-centre-all-dir-infield-on-friday.html |work=Toronto Star |last=Kennedy |first=Brendan |title=Blue Jays debut Rogers Centre all-dirt infield on Friday |date=April 7, 2016|access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>}} for the previous six <!-- 2010–15 -->seasons, Rogers Centre was the only MLB ballpark with {{nowrap|sliding pits.<ref name=adinffx>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/toronto-blue-jays-rogers-centre-dirt-infield-changes-040716 |website=Fox Sports |last=DaSilva |first=Cameron |title=The Blue Jays finally have a normal dirt infield like the rest of MLB |date=April 7, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>}}<!-- Twins' Metrodome closed in 2009 --> * A full dirt infield was installed for {{nowrap|];<ref name=wbgodiar>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-adding-dirt-infield-at-rogers-centre/c-164164706 |website=MLB.com |last=Chisholm |first=Gregor |title=Work begins on dirt infield at Rogers Centre|date=February 10, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref><ref name=alddebu>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/07/blue-jays-debut-rogers-centre-all-dir-infield-on-friday.html |work=Toronto Star |last=Kennedy |first=Brendan |title=Blue Jays debut Rogers Centre all-dirt infield on Friday |date=April 7, 2016|access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>}} for the previous six <!-- 2010–15 -->seasons, Rogers Centre was the only MLB ballpark with {{nowrap|sliding pits.<ref name=adinffx>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/toronto-blue-jays-rogers-centre-dirt-infield-changes-040716 |website=Fox Sports |last=DaSilva |first=Cameron |title=The Blue Jays finally have a normal dirt infield like the rest of MLB |date=April 7, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>}}<!-- Twins' Metrodome closed in 2009 -->
* A two-year, $10 million roof upgrade, completed for the ] season, added computer technology to speed up the opening and closing process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/jmp-engineering-and-new-electric-partner-to-retrofit-rogers-centres-iconic-retractable-roof-616600034.html|title=JMP Engineering and New Electric Partner to Retrofit Rogers Centre's Iconic Retractable Roof|date=2017-03-20|access-date=2018-07-03}}</ref> * A two-year, $10 million roof upgrade, completed for the ], updated the aging OT network and control system to speed up the opening and closing process, reduce monitoring staff requirements, and added a rooftop weather station to better predict incoming weather systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/jmp-engineering-and-new-electric-partner-to-retrofit-rogers-centres-iconic-retractable-roof-616600034.html|title=JMP Engineering and New Electric Partner to Retrofit Rogers Centre's Iconic Retractable Roof|date=March 20, 2017|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref>
* A new AstroTurf field was installed prior to the 2021 season. The new turf is attached to the floor, so the stands will no longer to be able to be rolled and will be permanenetly locked into baseball configuration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/blue-jays-getting-new-astroturf-field-amid-hopes-full-season-toronto/|title=Blue Jays getting new AstroTurf field amid hopes for full season in Toronto|date=2020-12-11|access-date=2021-11-28|first=Shi|last=Davidi|publisher=]}}</ref> * A new AstroTurf field was installed prior to the ]. The new turf is attached to the floor, so the stands will no longer be able to be rolled and will be permanently locked into baseball configuration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/blue-jays-getting-new-astroturf-field-amid-hopes-full-season-toronto/|title=Blue Jays getting new AstroTurf field amid hopes for full season in Toronto|date=December 11, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2021|first=Shi|last=Davidi|publisher=]}}</ref>
* Further lighting and video board upgrades were made for the ].

* For the 2024 ] by ], new antennas were installed in the {{em|Rogers Centre}} for 5G ], at a cost of $8 million. Also, the stadium street entrance was renamed “1 Taylor Swift Way” specifically for the concerts.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/10/17/rogers-centre-invests-8m-to-upgrade-5g-network-ahead-of-taylor-swift-concerts/ |website=toronto.citynews.ca| title=
=== Proposed replacement ===
Rogers Centre invests $8M to upgrade 5G network ahead of Taylor Swift concerts| date=17 October 2024}}</ref>
Rogers Communications and ] have reportedly discussed replacing Rogers Centre with a smaller, baseball-specific stadium plus residential towers, office buildings, retail stores and public space. The new venue would be constructed on the southern end of the current stadium and adjacent parking lots, while the mixed-use development would be built on the northern portion of the site. An alternate site has also been considered for a new baseball park, at ] in Toronto's east end next to ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Rogers Centre faces demolition as Blue Jays owner plans new stadium |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-rogers-centre-faces-demolition-as-blue-jays-owner-plans-new-stadium/ |website=The Globe and Mail |access-date=November 27, 2020}}</ref> In December 2021, the Blue Jays opted to renovate the stadium instead of replacing it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2021/12/23/blue-jays-planning-to-renovate-rogers-centre-instead-of-seeking-a-teardown.html|title = Blue Jays planning to renovate Rogers Centre, instead of seeking a teardown|newspaper = The Toronto Star|date = December 23, 2021|last1 = Zwolinski|first1 = Mark}}</ref>


== Stadium features == == Stadium features ==
] {{multiple image|total_width=300px|image1=Windows Restaurant in SkyDomeRogersCentre.JPG|caption1=Several restaurants have views of events. The former Windows restaurant looked onto the playing field|image2= Skydome field no grass.jpg|caption2=The stadium's field without its turf in 2006. The stadium's FieldTurf could be removed for events such as concerts and trade shows. }}

The venue was the first major team sports stadium in North America with a functional, fully ] (Montreal's ] also had a retractable roof, but due to operational issues, it was replaced with a permanent roof). The roof is composed of four panels and covers an area of {{convert|345000|sqft|m2}}. The two middle panels slide laterally to stack over the north semi-circular panel, and then the south semi-circular panel rotates around the stadium and nests inside the stack. It takes 20&nbsp;minutes for the roof to open or close.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rogers Centre – Facts|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/facts.jsp|website=Rogerscentre.com|publisher=Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership|access-date=November 19, 2011|archive-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006103359/http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/facts.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is not possible to move the roof in cold weather because the mechanism that closes the roof could fail in cooler weather.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rogers Centre roof shut for deciding Jays playoff game despite Open the Dome campaign|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bluejays-roof-closed-rogers-centre-1.3270004|website=CBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923143220/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bluejays-roof-closed-rogers-centre-1.3270004 |archive-date=23 September 2016}}</ref>
The venue was the first major team sports stadium in North America with a functional, fully ] (Montreal's ] also had a retractable roof, but due to operational issues, it was replaced with a permanent fixed roof). The roof is composed of four panels and covers an area of {{convert|345000|sqft|m2}}. The two middle panels slide laterally to stack over the north semi-circular panel, and then the south semi-circular panel rotates around the stadium and nests inside the stack. It takes 20&nbsp;minutes for the roof to open or close.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rogers Centre – Facts|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/facts.jsp|website=Rogerscentre.com|publisher=Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership|access-date=November 19, 2011|archive-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006103359/http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/facts.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is not possible to move the roof in cold weather because the mechanism that closes the roof could fail in cooler weather.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rogers Centre roof shut for deciding Jays playoff game despite Open the Dome campaign|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bluejays-roof-closed-rogers-centre-1.3270004|website=CBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923143220/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bluejays-roof-closed-rogers-centre-1.3270004 |archive-date=September 23, 2016}}</ref>
]

The original ] installation was replaced with ] from 2005 to 2010. The FieldTurf took about 40 hours to remove for events such as concerts or trade shows, as it used 1,400 trays that needed to be stacked and transported off the field. Prior to the ], to reduce the amount of time required to convert the playing field, a new, roll-based version of AstroTurf was installed. Similar to FieldTurf, the installation uses a sand- and rubber-based infill within the synthetic fibres.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blue Jays Hoping to Gain Some Level Footing |first=John |last=Lott |url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=2515955 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100207014305/http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=2515955 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 7, 2010 |newspaper=] |location=Toronto |date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=February 8, 2010 }}</ref> Rogers Centre is one of five venues in ] that use artificial turf (the others are ] in ], ] in Miami, ] in ], and ]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2018/10/12/arizona-diamondbacks-installing-synthetic-grass-chase-field-2019/1614391002/ |title=Arizona Diamondbacks installing synthetic grass at Chase Field |date=October 12, 2018 |website=azcentral.com |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref> in ]) and was the last venue to use "sliding pits" before switching to a full dirt infield for the ]. Before the Argonauts moved out, the pitcher's mound could be lowered or raised hydraulically when converting from baseball to football (or vice versa).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/02/11/blue-jays-begin-work-on-all-dirt-infield-at-rogers-centre.html|title = Blue Jays begin work on all-dirt infield at Rogers Centre|website = ]|date = February 11, 2016}}</ref> The original ] installation was replaced with ] from 2005 to 2010. The FieldTurf took about 40 hours to remove for events such as concerts or trade shows, as it used 1,400 trays that needed to be stacked and transported off the field. Prior to the ], to reduce the amount of time required to convert the playing field, a new, roll-based version of AstroTurf was installed. Similar to FieldTurf, the installation uses a sand- and rubber-based infill within the synthetic fibres.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blue Jays Hoping to Gain Some Level Footing |first=John |last=Lott |url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=2515955 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100207014305/http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=2515955 |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 7, 2010 |newspaper=] |location=Toronto |date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=February 8, 2010 }}</ref> Rogers Centre is one of five venues in ] that use artificial turf (the others are ] in ], ] in Miami, ] in ], and ]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2018/10/12/arizona-diamondbacks-installing-synthetic-grass-chase-field-2019/1614391002/ |title=Arizona Diamondbacks installing synthetic grass at Chase Field |date=October 12, 2018 |website=azcentral.com |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref> in ]) and was the last venue to use "sliding pits" before switching to a full dirt infield for the ]. Before the Argonauts moved out, the pitcher's mound could be lowered or raised hydraulically when converting from baseball to football (or vice versa).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/02/11/blue-jays-begin-work-on-all-dirt-infield-at-rogers-centre.html|title = Blue Jays begin work on all-dirt infield at Rogers Centre|website = ]|date = February 11, 2016}}</ref>


The use of natural grass was long thought to be unfeasible since the stadium was designed as a closed structure with a roof that opens, and as such, the interior was not intended or built to deal with weather, including low temperatures and drainage. As of the 2020 season, they are one of two teams to have never played a home game on grass at their main stadium{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}} (the Tampa Bay Rays played some home games in 2007 and 2008 at ] in ] in ],<ref name="ESPN-2007-05-16">{{cite web The use of natural grass was long thought to be unfeasible since the stadium was designed as a closed structure with a roof that opens, and as such, the interior was not intended or built to deal with weather, including low temperatures and drainage. As of the 2020 season, they are one of two teams to have never played a home game on grass at their main stadium{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}} (the Tampa Bay Rays played some home games in 2007 and 2008 at ] in ] in ],<ref name="ESPN-2007-05-16">{{cite web
| url = http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270517130 | url = http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270517130
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140808155341/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270517130
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = August 8, 2014
| title = Young's two-run homer helps D-Rays stop Rangers' rally | title = Young's two-run homer helps D-Rays stop Rangers' rally
| agency=Associated Press | agency=Associated Press
| website = ESPN.com | website = ESPN
| publisher = ESPN Internet Ventures
| date = May 17, 2007 | date = May 17, 2007
| access-date = July 19, 2014 | access-date = July 19, 2014
}}</ref><ref name="ESPN-2008-04-24">{{cite web }}</ref><ref name="ESPN-2008-04-24">{{cite web
| url = http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280424130 | url = http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280424130
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20140727045832/http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280424130
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = July 27, 2014
| title = Balanced Rays complete three-game sweep of Blue Jays at Disney | title = Balanced Rays complete three-game sweep of Blue Jays at Disney
| agency=Associated Press | agency=Associated Press
| website = ESPN.com | website = ESPN
| publisher = ESPN Internet Ventures
| date = April 24, 2008 | date = April 24, 2008
| access-date = July 19, 2014 | access-date = July 19, 2014
Line 157: Line 178:
| website = Ballparks of Baseball | website = Ballparks of Baseball
| access-date = July 19, 2014 | access-date = July 19, 2014
}}</ref> and during the ] and much of the ], due to the ], the Toronto Blue Jays were playing most of their home games at their AAA affiliate's home stadium of ] in ]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nightengale |first1=Bob |title=Toronto Blue Jays to play home games at Buffalo's Sahlen Field this season |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/bluejays/2020/07/24/toronto-blue-jays-play-home-games-buffalo-2020/5502146002/ |work=USA Today |date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> with the Blue Jays also playing home games in ] in ], during the first two months of the 2021 season). }}</ref> and during the ] and much of the ], due to travel restrictions amid the ], the Toronto Blue Jays were playing most of their home games at ]'s home stadium of ] in ]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nightengale |first1=Bob |title=Toronto Blue Jays to play home games at Buffalo's Sahlen Field this season |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/bluejays/2020/07/24/toronto-blue-jays-play-home-games-buffalo-2020/5502146002/ |work=USA Today |date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> with the Blue Jays also playing home games in ] in ], during the first two months of the 2021 season). Along with Tropicana Field, the Rogers Centre ] consists of brown turf, which does not provide any tactile differences from the rest of the field.
However, the Blue Jays have long explored the possibility of converting the Rogers Centre to a natural grass surface, and plans are in place to install a grass field by 2018 to allow enough time for research and growing of the sod.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2014/04/24/blue_jays_pave_way_for_grass_at_the_rogers_centre.html|title=Blue Jays pave way for grass at the Rogers Centre|date=April 24, 2014|newspaper=]|first=Brendan|last=Kennedy}}</ref> Installing grass would require digging up the floor, adding a drainage system, and installing {{convert|30|cm|ft|0|abbr=on}} of dirt. The stadium would need to be permanently locked into its baseball configuration; the lower stands, which roll into position for football, would be permanently fixed in position for baseball.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jays turf Argos in favour of grass playing surface at Rogers Centre |first=Tom|last=Maloney|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/jays-turf-argos-in-favour-of-grass-playing-surface-at-rogers-centre/article14211436/|newspaper=]|location=Toronto|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=November 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/argos/2012/02/09/perkins_argos_turfed_if_toronto_blue_jays_put_grass_in_rogers_centre.html|title=Perkins: Argos turfed if Toronto Blue Jays put grass in Rogers Centre|date=February 9, 2012|access-date=January 12, 2014|last=Perkins|first=Dave|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2014/02/01/jays_president_beeston_insists_baseball_should_be_played_on_grass_griffin.html|title=Jays president Beeston insists 'baseball should be played on grass': Griffin|date=February 1, 2014|access-date=February 1, 2014|publisher=]|last=Griffin|first=Richard}}</ref> The plan became more definite when Rogers renewed the Argonauts' lease through 2017, but ruled out any further extensions; in May 2015, it was announced the Argos would move to ] for the 2016 season.<ref name="Toronto Argonauts" /><ref name="cbc-bellargos" /><ref name="bell" /> The Blue Jays subsequently confirmed the Argonauts' early departure would not accelerate their own plans to install grass in 2018,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-mulling-installation-of-dirt-infield/ |title=Blue Jays mulling installation of dirt infield - Sportsnet.ca |access-date=2015-05-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315082820/http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-mulling-installation-of-dirt-infield/ |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |df=mdy }}</ref> though it did allow for a dirt infield to be installed for the 2016 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/07/blue-jays-debut-rogers-centre-all-dir-infield-on-friday.html|title=Blue Jays debut Rogers Centre all-dirt infield on Friday|date=2016-04-07|access-date=2016-04-10|publisher=]|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan}}</ref> However, it does not appear likely the field will be converted to natural grass, as no further announcements for replacing the surface have been made since, and the field continues to retain its artificial surface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bluejayhunter.com/2017/10/real-grass-least-important-renovation-needed-at-rogers-centre-blue-jays.html|title = Real Grass is the Least Important Renovation Needed at Rogers Centre|date = October 27, 2017}}</ref>


However, the Blue Jays have long explored the possibility of converting the Rogers Centre to a natural grass surface, and plans were examined in order to install a grass field by 2018 to allow enough time for research and growing of the sod.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2014/04/24/blue_jays_pave_way_for_grass_at_the_rogers_centre.html|title=Blue Jays pave way for grass at the Rogers Centre|date=April 24, 2014|newspaper=]|first=Brendan|last=Kennedy}}</ref> Installing grass would require digging up the floor, adding a drainage system, and installing {{convert|30|cm|ft|0|abbr=on}} of dirt. The stadium would need to be permanently locked into its baseball configuration; the lower stands, which roll into position for football, would be permanently fixed in position for baseball.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jays turf Argos in favour of grass playing surface at Rogers Centre |first=Tom|last=Maloney|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/jays-turf-argos-in-favour-of-grass-playing-surface-at-rogers-centre/article14211436/|newspaper=]|location=Toronto|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=November 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/football/argos/2012/02/09/perkins_argos_turfed_if_toronto_blue_jays_put_grass_in_rogers_centre.html|title=Perkins: Argos turfed if Toronto Blue Jays put grass in Rogers Centre|date=February 9, 2012|access-date=January 12, 2014|last=Perkins|first=Dave|publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2014/02/01/jays_president_beeston_insists_baseball_should_be_played_on_grass_griffin.html|title=Jays president Beeston insists 'baseball should be played on grass': Griffin|date=February 1, 2014|access-date=February 1, 2014|publisher=]|last=Griffin|first=Richard}}</ref> The plan became more definite when Rogers renewed the Argonauts' lease through 2017, but ruled out any further extensions; in May 2015, it was announced the Argonauts would move to ] for the 2016 season.<ref name="Toronto Argonauts" /><ref name="cbc-bellargos" /><ref name="bell" /> The Blue Jays subsequently confirmed the Argonauts' early departure would not accelerate their own plans to install grass in 2018,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-mulling-installation-of-dirt-infield/ |title=Blue Jays mulling installation of dirt infield - Sportsnet.ca |access-date=May 24, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315082820/http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-mulling-installation-of-dirt-infield/ |archive-date=March 15, 2016}}</ref> though it did allow for a dirt infield to be installed for the 2016 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/07/blue-jays-debut-rogers-centre-all-dir-infield-on-friday.html|title=Blue Jays debut Rogers Centre all-dirt infield on Friday|date=April 7, 2016|access-date=April 10, 2016|publisher=]|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan}}</ref> However, it does not appear likely the field will be converted to natural grass, as no further announcements for replacing the surface have been made since, and the field continues to retain its artificial surface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bluejayhunter.com/2017/10/real-grass-least-important-renovation-needed-at-rogers-centre-blue-jays.html|title = Real Grass is the Least Important Renovation Needed at Rogers Centre|date = October 27, 2017}}</ref>
There are a total of 5,700 club seats and 161 luxury suites at the Rogers Centre. The complex had a ] restaurant until December 2009 when the restaurant closed after its lease expired.<ref name="hrcclose">{{cite news |title=Hard Times Shut Down Hard Rock at the Dome|first=Peter|last=Edwards|url=https://www.thestar.com/article/651908|newspaper=]|date=June 17, 2009|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> The Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel is also within Rogers Centre with 70 rooms, and a restaurant and bar called the ] Grill overlooks the field.<ref name="Toronto Marriott City Centre">{{cite web|url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/yyzcc-toronto-marriott-city-centre-hotel/|publisher=]|date=July 1, 2005|access-date=March 22, 2008|title=Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel}}</ref> The Blue Jays in partnership with theScore Bet announced plans in April 2022 to create a new premium branded flagship sports bar and restaurant that would be open 365 days a year at the Rogers Centre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reichard |first=Kevin |date=2022-04-08 |title=Blue Jays, theScore Bet announce 10-year sponsorship - Ballpark Digest |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2022/04/08/blue-jays-thescore-bet-announce-10-year-sponsorship/ |access-date=2022-04-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>

There are a total of 5,700 club seats and 161 luxury suites at the Rogers Centre. The complex had a ] restaurant until December 2009 when the restaurant closed after its lease expired.<ref name="hrcclose">{{cite news |title=Hard Times Shut Down Hard Rock at the Dome|first=Peter|last=Edwards|url=https://www.thestar.com/article/651908|newspaper=]|date=June 17, 2009|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> The Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel is also within Rogers Centre with 70 rooms, and a restaurant and bar called the ] Grill overlooks the field.<ref name="Toronto Marriott City Centre">{{cite web|url=https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/yyzcc-toronto-marriott-city-centre-hotel/|publisher=]|date=July 1, 2005|access-date=March 22, 2008|title=Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel}}</ref> The Blue Jays in partnership with ] Bet announced plans in April 2022 to create a new premium branded flagship sports bar and restaurant that would be open 365 days a year at the Rogers Centre and provide ] lines, including for ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reichard |first=Kevin |date=April 8, 2022 |title=Blue Jays, theScore Bet announce 10-year sponsorship - Ballpark Digest |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2022/04/08/blue-jays-thescore-bet-announce-10-year-sponsorship/ |access-date=April 11, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>


Over $5&nbsp;million of artwork was commissioned in 1989 (${{#expr:({{inflation|CA|50|1989}}/10)}} million in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars): Over $5&nbsp;million of artwork was commissioned in 1989 (${{#expr:({{inflation|CA|50|1989}}/10)}} million in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars):
] above the northeast and northwest entrances of Rogers Centre]] ] above the northeast (shown) and northwest entrances of Rogers Centre]]
*''The Audience''&nbsp;– by ] is a collection of larger-than-life depictions of fans above the northeast and northwest entrances. Painted gold, the sculptures show fans in various acts of celebration. * ''The Audience''&nbsp;– by ] is a collection of larger-than-life depictions of fans above the northeast and northwest entrances. Painted gold, the sculptures show fans in various acts of celebration.
*''A Tribute to Baseball''&nbsp;– by Lutz Haufschild, above the Southeast and Southwest entrances of Gate 5. * ''A Tribute to Baseball''&nbsp;– by Lutz Haufschild, above the Southeast and Southwest entrances of Gate 5.
*''The Art of the Possible''&nbsp;– by Mimi Gellman, inside along the north side of the concourse on the 100 Level. The glass and steel sculpture incorporates the signatures of 2,000 builders of SkyDome, and is a tribute to their work. Some of the artifacts found during excavation, such as musket balls and pottery, have also been included. The brightly illuminated sculpture became an issue to baseball players when the stadium first opened. The bright lights were considered a distraction to batters. * ''The Art of the Possible''&nbsp;– by Mimi Gellman, inside along the north side of the concourse on the 100 Level. The glass and steel sculpture incorporates the signatures of 2,000 builders of SkyDome, and is a tribute to their work. Some of the artifacts found during excavation, such as musket balls and pottery, have also been included. The brightly illuminated sculpture became an issue to baseball players when the stadium first opened. The bright lights were considered a distraction to batters.
*''Salmon Run''&nbsp;– by Susan Schelle, outside by the Southeast entrance in ]; it is a large fountain with various stainless steel salmon cutouts. * ''Salmon Run''&nbsp;– by Susan Schelle, outside by the Southeast entrance in ]; it is a large fountain with various stainless steel salmon cutouts.
*''Spiral Fountain''&nbsp;– by ].<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/history.jsp|publisher=Rogers Centre|access-date=August 10, 2012|archive-date=June 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625061415/http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/history.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> * ''Spiral Fountain''&nbsp;– by ].<ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/history.jsp|publisher=Rogers Centre|access-date=August 10, 2012|archive-date=June 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625061415/http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/history.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The stadium's parking lot is located under the stadium itself. The underground parking lot is divided into four sections (Sun, Moon, Star, and Cloud) and the ramps within the stadium correspond to these sections, while the fifth section, the Hotel Zone, being the northernmost section, is reserved for hotel uses by the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel directly above this section.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/ballpark/transportation/parking | title=Where to park at Rogers Centre &#124; Toronto Blue Jays | website=] }}</ref>


=== Seating capacity === === Seating capacity ===
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| 49,260<ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre|url=http://www.theballparkguide.com/majors/toronto-blue-jays/rogers-centre|publisher=The Ballpark Guide|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> | 49,260<ref>{{cite web |title=Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre|url=http://www.theballparkguide.com/majors/toronto-blue-jays/rogers-centre|publisher=The Ballpark Guide|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref>
|- |-
! scope="row" style="{{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}};"|2013–present ! scope="row" style="{{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}};"|2013–2022
| 49,282<ref name="RogersCentreFacts">{{cite web|title=Fun Facts and Figures|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/facts.jsp|publisher=Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership|date=October 9, 2015|access-date=October 9, 2015|archive-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006103359/http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/facts.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2013 American League Attendance Projections|first=Maury|last=Brown|url=http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=19774|website=]|date=March 4, 2013|access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref> | 49,282<ref name="RogersCentreFacts">{{cite web|title=Fun Facts and Figures|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/facts.jsp|publisher=Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership|date=October 9, 2015|access-date=October 9, 2015|archive-date=October 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006103359/http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/facts.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=2013 American League Attendance Projections|first=Maury|last=Brown|url=http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=19774|website=]|date=March 4, 2013|access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="{{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}};"|2023
| 41,500<ref name="Sportsnet">{{cite web|title=New outfield in renovated Rogers Centre will play very differently for Blue Jays|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/new-outfield-in-renovated-rogers-centre-will-play-very-differently-for-blue-jays/|date=January 17, 2023|access-date=January 28, 2023}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="{{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}};"|2024–present
| 39,150<ref name="Toronto Star">{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/blue-jays/the-rogers-centre-transformation-is-almost-complete-heres-what-blue-jays-fans-should-know-about/article_bf028bd4-ef8f-11ee-9598-8b0317fd9860.html |title=The Rogers Centre transformation is almost complete. Here's what Blue Jays fans should know about the renovations |website=] |date=April 4, 2024 }}</ref>
|} |}


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| 53,506<ref>{{cite web |title=2011, 2013 Gold Cup|url=http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1441230&page=2|website=Bigsoccer.com|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> | 53,506<ref>{{cite web |title=2011, 2013 Gold Cup|url=http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1441230&page=2|website=Bigsoccer.com|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref>
|} |}
{{-}} {{Clear}}
{{wide image|File:Toronto, Skydome within.jpg|880|Panorama of the interior seating and field for Rogers Centre in 2006}} {{wide image|File:Toronto, Skydome within.jpg|880|Panorama of the interior seating and field for Rogers Centre in 2006}}


=== Rogers Centre video board === === Rogers Centre video board ===
The Rogers Centre video board is {{convert|33|ft|m}} high and {{convert|110|ft|m}} across. The panel is made up of modular ] units that can be replaced unit by unit, and can be repaired immediately should it be damaged during an event. Originally, this screen was a Sony ], which was the largest in North America at the time of the stadium's opening,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/june-5-1989-blue-jays-play-first-game-skydome|title = June 5, 1989: Blue Jays play first game in SkyDome – Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref> but it has since been replaced a few times. There are also two ribbon boards made up of LED that run along the East and West sides of the stadium interior. Each board is {{convert|434|ft|m}} long by {{convert|3.5|ft|m}} high. In addition, two video boards make up parts of the left and right outfield walls while the stadium is in baseball configuration. These are {{convert|65|ft|m}} wide by nearly {{convert|10|ft|m}} high.
]
The Rogers Centre video board is {{convert|33|ft|m}} high and {{convert|110|ft|m}} across. The panel is made up of modular ] units that can be replaced unit by unit, and can be repaired immediately should it be damaged during an event. Originally, this screen was a Sony ], which was the largest in North America at the time of the stadium's opening,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/june-5-1989-blue-jays-play-first-game-skydome|title = June 5, 1989: Blue Jays play first game in SkyDome – Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref> but it has since been replaced. There are also two ribbon boards made up of LED that run along the East and West sides of the stadium interior. Each board is {{convert|434|ft|m}} long by {{convert|3.5|ft|m}} high. In addition, there are two video boards that make up parts of the left and right outfield walls while the stadium is in baseball configuration. These are {{convert|65|ft|m}} wide by nearly {{convert|10|ft|m}} high.


The main video board was upgraded again for the 2022 Blue Jays season, this time by using more modern technology and adding four "wings", two on each side of the central part of the main video board with the lower wings on each side being wider, making the main video board no longer rectangular. This was to accommodate the windows of the hotel behind the main video board.
The video board and the stadium played host to several ] events, including the series finales for '']'' and '']'', along with live coverage of the funeral of ] in 1997.

The video board and the stadium played host to several ] events, including the series finales for '']'' and '']'', along with live coverage of the funeral of ] in 1997.


== Stadium usage == == Stadium usage ==
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=== Baseball === === Baseball ===
] held at the Rogers Centre]] ] held at the Rogers Centre]]
The Blue Jays have won two World Series championships at Rogers Centre, hosting Games 3, 4, and 5 of the ] and Games 1, 2, and 6 of the ] at the stadium, then known as SkyDome, with Game 3 of the 1992 series the first World Series game ever played in Canada. The stadium also hosted the ]. The ] was the first Major League Baseball playoff series played entirely indoors with the first two games at the ] in Minneapolis and the final three at SkyDome. The Blue Jays have won two World Series championships at Rogers Centre, hosting Games 3, 4, and 5 of the ] and Games 1, 2, and 6 of the ] at the stadium, then known as SkyDome, with Game 3 of the 1992 series the first World Series game ever played in Canada. The stadium also hosted the ]. The ] was the first Major League Baseball playoff series played entirely indoors with the first two games at the ] in ] and the final three at SkyDome.


Games in the first round of the ] were played at the Rogers Centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rogers Centre to host WBC games in '09|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/2008/07/31/wbc_toronto_groupgames|website=]|date=July 31, 2008|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> Games in the first round of the ] were played at the Rogers Centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rogers Centre to host WBC games in '09|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/2008/07/31/wbc_toronto_groupgames|website=]|date=July 31, 2008|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref>


=== Basketball === === Basketball ===
Besides baseball, Rogers Centre was the original home of the ]'s ], who played at the venue from November 1995 to February 1999, while the Air Canada Centre (later renamed ]) was being planned and built. It proved to be somewhat problematic as a basketball venue, even considering it was only a temporary facility. For instance, many seats that were theoretically in line with the court were so far away fans needed binoculars to see the action. Other seats were so badly obstructed that fans sitting there could only watch the game on the replay boards. For most games, Rogers Centre seated 22,900 people. However, the Raptors sometimes opened the 500 Level, which is the stadium's uppermost level, when popular opponents came to town, such as the ] when ] was a member of the team, expanding capacity to 29,000 and held over 36,000 attendees at one point. Besides baseball, Rogers Centre was the original home of the ]'s ], who played at the venue from November 1995 to February 1999, while the Air Canada Centre (later renamed ]) was being planned and built. It proved to be somewhat problematic as a basketball venue, even considering it was only a temporary facility. For instance, many seats theoretically in line with the court were so far away that fans needed binoculars to see the action. Other seats were so badly obstructed that fans sitting there could only watch the game on the replay boards. For most games, Rogers Centre seated 22,900 people. However, the Raptors sometimes opened the 500 Level, which is the stadium's uppermost level, when popular opponents came to town, such as the ] when ] was a member of the team, expanding capacity to 29,000 and held over 36,000 attendees at one point.


=== Football === === Football ===
]]] ] with some seats in the 500 Level closed off and replaced with large banners]]


Rogers Centre hosted Canadian football from opening in 1989 to 2015, as the Argonauts moved to ] in 2016. In November 2007, it hosted the ], its first since 1992 and third all-time. It was the 56th Grey Cup hosted by the city of Toronto since the championship's inception in 1909. Rogers Centre hosted Canadian football from opening in 1989 to 2015, as the Argonauts moved to ] in 2016. In November 2007, it hosted the ], its first since 1992 and third all-time. It was the 56th Grey Cup hosted by the city of Toronto since the championship's inception in 1909.
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In 1994, then-part owner of SkyDome Labatt considered purchasing a ] and a ] team to play at the stadium.<ref name=dreamjob>{{cite book|title=Dream Job|last=Peddie|first=Richard|year=2013|publisher=]}}</ref> In 1994, then-part owner of SkyDome Labatt considered purchasing a ] and a ] team to play at the stadium.<ref name=dreamjob>{{cite book|title=Dream Job|last=Peddie|first=Richard|year=2013|publisher=]}}</ref>


The ], a ] ] game between two American schools – one from the Big East Conference and one from the Mid-American Conference – has been played at Rogers Centre four times. The Big East school has won all four bowl games. On January 6, 2007, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats defeated the Western Michigan University Broncos, 27-24. The Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University won the second bowl game in the series on January 5, 2008 by beating the Cardinals of Ball State University, 52-30. The Bulls of the University at Buffalo, a school within a ninety-minute drive of Rogers Centre, lost the third International Bowl to the University of Connecticut Huskies, 38-20. On January 2, 2010, the University of South Florida Bulls beat the Huskies of Northern Illinois University, 27-3. The ], an ] ] game between two American schools – one from the ] and one from the ] – has been played at Rogers Centre four times. The Big East school has won all four bowl games. On January 6, 2007, the ] defeated the ], 27–24. The ] won the second bowl game in the series on January 5, 2008, by beating the ], 52–30. The ], a school within a ninety-minute drive of Rogers Centre, lost the third International Bowl to the ], 38–20. On January 2, 2010, the ] beat the ], 27–3.


Rogers Centre was also the venue for the ] on Friday November 23, 2007 just two days before Grey Cup Sunday. It was the 16th Vanier Cup hosted at the venue, returning after a three-year absence in which it was hosted by ] (2004 and 2005) and ], Saskatchewan (2006). It was the 40th Vanier Cup hosted by Toronto since that championship's inception in 1965. Rogers Centre was also the venue for the ] on Friday, November 23, 2007, just two days before ]. It was the 16th Vanier Cup hosted at the venue, returning after a three-year absence in which it was hosted by ] (2004 and 2005) and ], Saskatchewan (2006). It was the 40th Vanier Cup hosted by Toronto since that championship's inception in 1965.


====NFL====
{{see also|National Football League in Toronto}} {{see also|National Football League in Toronto}}
The ]'s ] announced its intentions to play five "home" games (and three pre-season games) in Rogers Centre in October 2007, so beginning the ]; the first of these regular-season games took place on December 7 of the ] versus the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bills Have Deal in Place for Toronto Games|first1=Mark|last1=Gaughan|first2=Jerry|last2=Sullivan|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/264441.html|newspaper=]|date=January 30, 2008|access-date=January 30, 2008}}</ref> It marked the first time an NFL team has established a "home" stadium outside the United States for regular-season games. The Bills played a preseason game against the ] at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2008; the Toronto Series was played every year through the 2013 season.

The ]'s ] announced its intentions to play five "home" games (and three pre-season games) in Rogers Centre in October 2007, so beginning the ]; the first of these regular-season games took place on December 7 of the ] versus the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bills Have Deal in Place for Toronto Games|first1=Mark|last1=Gaughan|first2=Jerry|last2=Sullivan|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/264441.html|newspaper=]|date=January 30, 2008|access-date=January 30, 2008}}</ref> It marked the first time an NFL team has established a "home" stadium outside the United States for regular-season games. The Bills played a preseason game against the ] at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2008; the Toronto Series was played every year through the 2013 season.


=== Soccer === === Soccer ===
] and ] in 2005]] ] and ] in 2005]]
From the mid-2000s, soccer matches have been regularly held in SkyDome / Rogers Centre; they had been rarely played at the venue when its ] surface had been in place.<ref name="cbc-jun-2005">{{cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer-friendly-in-toronto-ends-in-stalemate-1.565021|title=Soccer friendly in Toronto ends in stalemate|agency=]|date=June 9, 2005|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref> Examples of soccer (]) matches:
] and the ] in 2012]]

From the mid-2000s, soccer matches have been regularly held in SkyDome/Rogers Centre; they had been rarely played at the venue when its ] surface had been in place.<ref name="cbc-jun-2005">{{cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer-friendly-in-toronto-ends-in-stalemate-1.565021|title=Soccer friendly in Toronto ends in stalemate|agency=]|date=9 June 2005|access-date=22 April 2020}}</ref>


On June 8, 2005, an international soccer friendly between ] and ] took place, ending in a 1–1 draw.<ref name="cbc-jun-2005"/> *On June 8, 2005, an international soccer friendly between ] and ] took place, ending in a 1–1 draw.<ref name="cbc-jun-2005"/>


On May 25, 2010, the stadium hosted a friendly soccer match between Italy's ] and ] with Fiorentina winning 1–0.<ref name="cbc-may-2010">{{cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fiorentina-blanks-juventus-in-toronto-friendly-1.956664|title=Fiorentina blanks Juventus in Toronto friendly|agency=]|date=25 May 2010|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> *On May 25, 2010, the stadium hosted a friendly soccer match between Italy's ] and ] with Fiorentina winning 1–0.<ref name="cbc-may-2010">{{cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fiorentina-blanks-juventus-in-toronto-friendly-1.956664|title=Fiorentina blanks Juventus in Toronto friendly|agency=]|date=May 25, 2010|access-date=December 9, 2017}}</ref>


On July 16, 2010, the stadium hosted a friendly soccer match between England's ] and Scotland's ] Manchester United F.C. defeated Celtic F.C. with a score of 3–1. The match was played on a temporary grass surface harvested from ] and transported via 18 tractor-trailers.<ref name="cbc-jul-2010">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/man-u-downs-celtic-in-rogers-centre-friendly-1.867762|title=Man U downs Celtic in Rogers Centre friendly|agency=]|publisher=]|date=16 July 2010|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> *On July 16, 2010, the stadium hosted a friendly soccer match between England's ] and Scotland's ] Manchester United F.C. defeated Celtic F.C. with a score of 3–1. The match was played on a temporary grass surface harvested from ] and transported via 18 tractor-trailers.<ref name="cbc-jul-2010">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/man-u-downs-celtic-in-rogers-centre-friendly-1.867762|title=Man U downs Celtic in Rogers Centre friendly|agency=]|publisher=]|date=July 16, 2010|access-date=December 9, 2017}}</ref>


On July 21, 2012, the stadium hosted the friendly between ] and ], a match that finished in a 1–1 draw.<ref name="thestar-jul-2012">{{cite news|last=Girard|first=Daniel|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/tfc/2012/07/21/toronto_fc_and_liverpool_draw_11_in_friendly_at_rogers_centre.html|title=Toronto FC and Liverpool draw 1-1 in friendly at Rogers Centre|agency=]|date=21 July 2012|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> *On July 21, 2012, the stadium hosted the friendly between ] and ], a match that finished in a 1–1 draw.<ref name="thestar-jul-2012">{{cite news|last=Girard|first=Daniel|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/tfc/2012/07/21/toronto_fc_and_liverpool_draw_11_in_friendly_at_rogers_centre.html|title=Toronto FC and Liverpool draw 1-1 in friendly at Rogers Centre|agency=]|date=July 21, 2012|access-date=December 9, 2017}}</ref>


On November 19, 2013, Rogers Centre hosted a friendly soccer match between ] and ], a match that finished in a 2–1 victory for the Brazilian side.<ref name="2013 ref">{{cite news|last=|first=|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/wc-hosts-brazil-beat-chile-2-1-at-rogers-centre/|title=WC hosts Brazil beat Chile 2-1 at Rogers Centre|agency=]. ]|date=19 November 2013|access-date=17 July 2021}}</ref> *On November 19, 2013, Rogers Centre hosted a friendly soccer match between ] and ], a match that finished in a 2–1 victory for the Brazilian side.<ref name="2013 ref">{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/wc-hosts-brazil-beat-chile-2-1-at-rogers-centre/|title=WC hosts Brazil beat Chile 2-1 at Rogers Centre|agency=]. ]|date=November 19, 2013|access-date=July 17, 2021}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; width:95%;" style="text-align:center" {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left; width:95%;" style="text-align:center"
|- |-
!style="text-align:center; {{Baseball primary style|Toronto Blue Jays|border=2}};"|Date !style="text-align:center; {{Baseball primary style|Toronto Blue Jays|border=2}};"|Date
Line 271: Line 300:
!style="text-align:center; {{Baseball primary style|Toronto Blue Jays|border=2}};"|Spectators !style="text-align:center; {{Baseball primary style|Toronto Blue Jays|border=2}};"|Spectators
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|January 24, 1995||{{flagdeco|Denmark}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{fb|CAN}}||style="text-align:center;" rowspan=3|]||style="text-align:center;"|10,024<ref></ref> |style="text-align:center;"|January 24, 1995||{{flagdeco|Denmark}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{fb|CAN}}||style="text-align:center;" rowspan=3|]||style="text-align:center;"|10,024<ref></ref>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|January 26, 1995||{{fb|CAN}}||style="text-align:center;"|1–1||{{fb|POR}}||style="text-align:center;"|13,658<ref></ref> |style="text-align:center;"|January 26, 1995||{{fb|CAN}}||style="text-align:center;"|1–1||{{fb|POR}}||style="text-align:center;"|13,658<ref></ref>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|January 29, 1995||{{fb|POR}}||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{flagdeco|Denmark}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|23,723<ref name="thestar-jan-1995">{{cite news|last=Da Costa|first=Norman|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/doc/437180152.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+30%2C+1995&author=by+Norman+Da+Costa+TORONTO+STAR&pub=Toronto+Star&edition=&startpage=B.8&desc=Finishing+kick+ends+Portugal%27s+drought+SkyDome+Cup+first+trophy+in+team%27s+history|title=Finishing kick ends Portugal's drought SkyDome Cup first trophy in team's history|agency=]|date=30 January 1995|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> |style="text-align:center;"|January 29, 1995||{{fb|POR}}||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{flagdeco|Denmark}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|23,723<ref name="thestar-jan-1995">{{cite news|last=Da Costa|first=Norman|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/437180152|title=Finishing kick ends Portugal's drought SkyDome Cup first trophy in team's history|agency=]|date=January 30, 1995|access-date=December 9, 2017|id={{ProQuest|437180152}} }}</ref>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|July 30, 2004||{{flagicon|POR}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{flagicon|ENG}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|40,078<ref name="cbc-jul-2004-1">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/fc-porto-beats-liverpool-at-skydome-1.497632|title=FC Porto beats Liverpool at SkyDome|agency=]|date=31 July 2004|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> |style="text-align:center;"|July 30, 2004||{{flagicon|POR}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{flagicon|ENG}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|40,078<ref name="cbc-jul-2004-1">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/fc-porto-beats-liverpool-at-skydome-1.497632|title=FC Porto beats Liverpool at SkyDome|agency=]|date=July 31, 2004|access-date=December 9, 2017}}</ref>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|July 31, 2004||{{flagicon|ITA|2003}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{flagicon|SCO}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|50,168<ref name="cbc-jul-2004">{{cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/totti-lifts-roma-past-celtic-at-skydome-1.497919|title=Totti lifts Roma past Celtic at SkyDome|agency=]|date=31 July 2004|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> |style="text-align:center;"|July 31, 2004||{{flagicon|ITA|2003}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{flagicon|SCO}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|50,168<ref name="cbc-jul-2004">{{cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/totti-lifts-roma-past-celtic-at-skydome-1.497919|title=Totti lifts Roma past Celtic at SkyDome|agency=]|date=July 31, 2004|access-date=December 9, 2017}}</ref>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|June 8, 2005||{{fb|SCG}}||style="text-align:center;"|1–1||{{fb|ITA|2003}}||style="text-align:center;"|International Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|22,138<ref name="cbc-jun-2005"/> |style="text-align:center;"|June 8, 2005||{{fb|SCG}}||style="text-align:center;"|1–1||{{fb|ITA|2003}}||style="text-align:center;"|International Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|22,138<ref name="cbc-jun-2005"/>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|July 12, 2005||{{flagicon|CRO}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{flagicon|SCO}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|18,159<ref name="Rangers Dinamo">{{cite news|last=Boyle|first=Robert|url=https://aws.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/on-this-day-dinamo-in-toronto/|title=On This Day: Dinamo In Toronto|agency=]|date=12 July 2017|access-date=16 July 2021}}</ref> |style="text-align:center;"|July 12, 2005||{{flagicon|CRO}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{flagicon|SCO}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|18,159<ref name="Rangers Dinamo">{{cite news|last=Boyle|first=Robert|url=https://aws.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/on-this-day-dinamo-in-toronto/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716083459/https://aws.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/on-this-day-dinamo-in-toronto/|archive-date=16 July 2021|title=On This Day: Dinamo In Toronto|agency=]|date=July 12, 2017|access-date=July 16, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|July 7, 2006||{{fbu|20|USA}}||style="text-align:center;"|2–1||{{fbu|20|CAN}}||style="text-align:center;"|International U20 Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|5,325<ref>{{cite news|last=Terra|first=Lino|url=http://www.ontariosoccerweb.com/articles.php?id=3184|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929184717/http://www.ontariosoccerweb.com/articles.php?id=3184|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 September 2007|title=USA Defeats Canada in U20 Friendly|date=8 July 2006|access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref> |style="text-align:center;"|July 7, 2006||{{fbu|20|USA}}||style="text-align:center;"|2–1||{{fbu|20|CAN}}||style="text-align:center;"|International U20 Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|5,325<ref>{{cite news|last=Terra|first=Lino|url=http://www.ontariosoccerweb.com/articles.php?id=3184|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929184717/http://www.ontariosoccerweb.com/articles.php?id=3184|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 29, 2007|title=USA Defeats Canada in U20 Friendly|date=July 8, 2006|access-date=April 4, 2020}}</ref>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|May 25, 2010||{{flagicon|ITA}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{flagicon|ITA}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|21,122<ref name="cbc-may-2010"/> |style="text-align:center;"|May 25, 2010||{{flagicon|ITA}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|1–0||{{flagicon|ITA}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|21,122<ref name="cbc-may-2010"/>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|July 16, 2010||{{flagicon|ENG}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|3–1||{{flagicon|SCO}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|39,193<ref name="cbc-jul-2010"/> |style="text-align:center;"|July 16, 2010||{{flagicon|ENG}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|3–1||{{flagicon|SCO}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|39,193<ref name="cbc-jul-2010"/>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|August 3, 2010||{{flagicon|GRE}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|3–2||{{flagicon|ITA}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|17,169<ref>{{cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/panathinaikos-beats-inter-in-toronto-1.956349|title=Panathinaikos beats Inter in Toronto|agency=]|date=3 August 2010|access-date=17 July 2021}}</ref> |style="text-align:center;"|August 3, 2010||{{flagicon|GRE}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|3–2||{{flagicon|ITA}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|17,169<ref>{{cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/panathinaikos-beats-inter-in-toronto-1.956349|title=Panathinaikos beats Inter in Toronto|agency=]|date=August 3, 2010|access-date=July 17, 2021}}</ref>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|March 7, 2012||{{flagicon|CAN}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|2–2||{{flagicon|USA}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|]||style="text-align:center;"|47,658<ref name="thestar-mar-2012">{{cite news|last=Girard|first=Daniel|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/tfc/2012/03/08/toronto_fc_ties_los_angeles_galaxy_before_47658_at_rogers_centre.html|title=Toronto FC ties Los Angeles Galaxy before 47,658 at Rogers Centre|agency=]|date=8 March 2012|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> |style="text-align:center;"|March 7, 2012||{{flagicon|CAN}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|2–2||{{flagicon|USA}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|]||style="text-align:center;"|47,658<ref name="thestar-mar-2012">{{cite news|last=Girard|first=Daniel|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/tfc/2012/03/08/toronto_fc_ties_los_angeles_galaxy_before_47658_at_rogers_centre.html|title=Toronto FC ties Los Angeles Galaxy before 47,658 at Rogers Centre|agency=]|date=March 8, 2012|access-date=December 9, 2017}}</ref>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|July 21, 2012||{{flagicon|CAN}} ] ||style="text-align:center;"|1–1||{{flagicon|ENG}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|33,087<ref name="thestar-jul-2012"/> |style="text-align:center;"|July 21, 2012||{{flagicon|CAN}} ] ||style="text-align:center;"|1–1||{{flagicon|ENG}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|Club Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|33,087<ref name="thestar-jul-2012"/>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|March 9, 2013||{{flagicon|CAN}} ] ||style="text-align:center;"|2–1||{{flagicon|USA}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|]||style="text-align:center;"|25,991<ref name="ESPN">{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match?gameId=359737|title=Toronto FC vs. Sporting Kansas City - Football Match Summary - March 9, 2013 - ESPN|agency=]|date=9 March 2013|access-date=21 July 2019}}</ref> |style="text-align:center;"|March 9, 2013||{{flagicon|CAN}} ] ||style="text-align:center;"|2–1||{{flagicon|USA}} ]||style="text-align:center;"|]||style="text-align:center;"|25,991<ref name="ESPN">{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match?gameId=359737|title=Toronto FC vs. Sporting Kansas City - Football Match Summary - March 9, 2013 - ESPN|agency=]|date=March 9, 2013|access-date=July 21, 2019}}</ref>
|- |-
|style="text-align:center;"|November 19, 2013||{{fb|Brazil}}||style="text-align:center;"|2–1||{{fb|Chile}}||style="text-align:center;"|International Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|38,154<ref name="2013 ref"/> |style="text-align:center;"|November 19, 2013||{{fb|Brazil}}||style="text-align:center;"|2–1||{{fb|Chile}}||style="text-align:center;"|International Friendly||style="text-align:center;"|38,154<ref name="2013 ref"/>
Line 303: Line 332:


=== Motorsports === === Motorsports ===
Having originated in 1980 at Exhibition Stadium, the Toronto Supercross moved to the Rogers Centre upon its opening in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pomeroy|first=Chris|title=The Toronto Supercross Returns For 2016|url=https://www.mxpmag.com/the-toronto-supercross-returns-for-2016/|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Motocross Performance Magazine}}</ref> The event was held annually through 1996 before going on hiatus.<ref>{{cite news|last=McGil|first=Mike|date=May 2017|title=Dome Sweet Dome|pages=50–56|work=Motocross Performance Magazine|url=https://issuu.com/mxpmagazine/docs/17.01_web/56|access-date=June 29, 2020}}</ref> It was revived as a part of the ] World Supercross GP series in 2004 and joined the ] after the two series fully merged in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 28, 2007|title=AMA Supercross And FIM World Supercross GP Consolidate Into Single Championship|url=https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/ama-supercross-and-fim-world-supercross-gp-consolidate-into-single-championship/|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Coombs|first=Davey|date=April 7, 2020|title=The List: Supercross in the Fall|url=https://racerxonline.com/2020/04/07/the-list-supercross-in-the-fall|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Racer X Magazine}}</ref> The event ran until 2014 and returned for 2016 and 2017.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013092314/http://www.amasupercross.com/MediaGuide/SXMediaGuide_15_lores.pdf |date=October 13, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=AMA Supercross 2019 Series Guide - Wins by City: Toronto, ON, Canada - Rogers Centre|url=https://www.amasupercross.com/MediaGuide/SXMediaGuide_19.pdf|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=amasupercross.com|page=58}}</ref> Having originated in 1980 at Exhibition Stadium, the Toronto Supercross moved to the Rogers Centre upon its opening in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pomeroy|first=Chris|title=The Toronto Supercross Returns For 2016|url=https://www.mxpmag.com/the-toronto-supercross-returns-for-2016/|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Motocross Performance Magazine}}</ref> The event was held annually through 1996 before going on hiatus.<ref>{{cite news|last=McGil|first=Mike|date=May 2017|title=Dome Sweet Dome|pages=50–56|work=Motocross Performance Magazine|url=https://issuu.com/mxpmagazine/docs/17.01_web/56|access-date=June 29, 2020}}</ref> It was revived as a part of the ] World Supercross GP series in 2004 and joined the ] after the two series fully merged in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 28, 2007|title=AMA Supercross And FIM World Supercross GP Consolidate Into Single Championship|url=https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/ama-supercross-and-fim-world-supercross-gp-consolidate-into-single-championship/|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Coombs|first=Davey|date=April 7, 2020|title=The List: Supercross in the Fall|url=https://racerxonline.com/2020/04/07/the-list-supercross-in-the-fall|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=Racer X Magazine}}</ref> The event ran until 2014 and returned for 2016 and 2017.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013092314/http://www.amasupercross.com/MediaGuide/SXMediaGuide_15_lores.pdf |date=October 13, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=AMA Supercross 2019 Series Guide - Wins by City: Toronto, ON, Canada - Rogers Centre|url=https://www.amasupercross.com/MediaGuide/SXMediaGuide_19.pdf|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=amasupercross.com|page=58}}</ref> Then, on January 16, 1993, the stadium hosted the Skydome Grand Prix featuring the ] ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=USAC National Midget:1993-01|url=https://www.thethirdturn.com/USAC_National_Midget:1993-01|website=The Third Turn}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user= USACNation|author-link=United States Auto Club|number= 1080573441407836160|date=January 2, 2019|title=USAC National Midgets haven't raced internationally since this 1993 stop at the SkyDome in Toronto, home of Major League Baseball's Blue Jays. On this night indoors, however, Kenny Irwin, Jr. made it his winter home.}}</ref> The night of racing featured ] stars ], ], ] and ] winner ] racing on an ] and was broadcast across Canada on ].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Murray|first=Richie|date=February 26, 2020|title=USAC's indoor history goes back to the beginning|url=http://www.usacracing.com/news/item/9081-usac-s-indoor-history-goes-back-to-the-beginning|access-date=June 28, 2020|website=usacracing.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=March 15, 2016|title=54 Teams entered in Saturday's USAC race here|work=Harrisburg Register|url=http://www.dailyregister.com/news/20160315/54-teams-entered-in-saturdays-usac-race-here|access-date=June 28, 2020}}</ref>

On January 16, 1993, the stadium hosted the Skydome Grand Prix featuring the ] ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=USAC National Midget:1993-01|url=https://www.thethirdturn.com/USAC_National_Midget:1993-01|website=The Third Turn}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user= USACNation|author-link=United States Auto Club|number= 1080573441407836160|date=January 2, 2019|title=USAC National Midgets haven't raced internationally since this 1993 stop at the SkyDome in Toronto, home of Major League Baseball's Blue Jays. On this night indoors, however, Kenny Irwin, Jr. made it his winter home.}}</ref> The night of racing featured ] stars ], ], ] and ] winner ] racing on a ] and was broadcast across Canada on ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Murray|first=Richie|date=February 26, 2020|title=USAC's indoor history goes back to the beginning|url=http://www.usacracing.com/news/item/9081-usac-s-indoor-history-goes-back-to-the-beginning|access-date=June 28, 2020|website=usacracing.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=March 15, 2016|title=54 Teams entered in Saturday's USAC race here|work=Harrisburg Register|url=http://www.dailyregister.com/news/20160315/54-teams-entered-in-saturdays-usac-race-here|access-date=June 28, 2020}}</ref>

The ] ] tour hosts an annual event in the month of January.


=== Other sports === === Other sports ===
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It hosted the ]. It hosted the ].


On May 31, 1997, the venue hosted a post-Olympic ] that pitted Olympic track champions ] and ], in a 150&nbsp;m race billed as a competition for the title of the "World's Fastest Man". Bailey won the race, completing it in a time of 15 seconds and winning the $1.5 million prize. Johnson pulled up lame at the 110&nbsp;m mark claiming a quadriceps injury. On May 31, 1997, the venue hosted a post-Olympic ] that pitted Olympic track champions ] and ], in a 150&nbsp;m race billed as a competition for the title of the "World's Fastest Man", given media disputes over that title during the ] in Atlanta. Bailey won the race, completing it in a time of 15 seconds and winning the $1.5 million prize. Johnson pulled up lame at the 110&nbsp;m mark claiming a quadriceps injury.


Rogers Centre is the site of several major ] and ] sporting competitions, such as the ] for baseball. Since 2008, the Rogers Centre is the host of the Greater Toronto high schools' ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Metro Bowl to Have a U.S. Flavour|first=David|last=Grossman|url=https://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/532394|newspaper=]|date=November 7, 2008|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> Rogers Centre is the site of several major ] and ] sporting competitions, such as the ] for baseball. Since 2008, the Rogers Centre is the host of the Greater Toronto high schools' ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Metro Bowl to Have a U.S. Flavour|first=David|last=Grossman|url=https://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/532394|newspaper=]|date=November 7, 2008|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref>
On April 30, 2011, ] was hosted at Rogers Centre, in the first major ] event to ever be held in Ontario. Due to overwhelming demand for tickets (with the initial slate of 42,000 selling in around half an hour), the UFC and Rogers Centre reconfigured the event for 55,000 tickets. The event broke a UFC attendance record set at ] in Montreal, and also set records for the largest single-day gate revenue in both UFC (surpassing ] by at least double) and Rogers Centre history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-129-sold-out-shatters-records-with-55000-tickets|title=UFC 129 Sold Out, Shatters Records With 55,000 Tickets|work= MMAWeekly.com|date=2011-02-12|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref> On April 30, 2011, ] was hosted at Rogers Centre, in the first major ] event to ever be held in Ontario after the province lifted a ban on prizefighting. Due to overwhelming demand for tickets (with the initial slate of 42,000 selling in around half an hour), the UFC and Rogers Centre reconfigured the event for 55,000 tickets. The event broke a UFC attendance record set at ] in Montreal, and also set records for the largest single-day gate revenue in both UFC (surpassing ] by at least double) and Rogers Centre history.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-129-sold-out-shatters-records-with-55000-tickets|title=UFC 129 Sold Out, Shatters Records With 55,000 Tickets|work= MMAWeekly.com|date=February 12, 2011|language=en-US|access-date=January 22, 2020}}</ref>


For the ], the Rogers Centre was used for the ] and ] ceremonies. For the ], the Rogers Centre was used for the ] and ] ceremonies.
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=== Professional wrestling === === Professional wrestling ===
] at the stadium in 2002]] ] at the stadium in 2002]]
] has hosted ] at Rogers Centre twice. ] was held on April 1, 1990, with the main event being a title vs title match which saw the ] ] defeat the ] ], set the SkyDome attendance record of 67,678. The attendance record was broken when 68,237 attended ] on March 17, 2002, the main event seeing ] win the ] against Canadian ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://prowrestling.about.com/od/wrestlemania/a/wmthevenues.htm|title=WrestleMania&nbsp;— The Venues and Attendance of Every WrestleMania|publisher=]|access-date=February 3, 2008}}</ref> ] has hosted ] at Rogers Centre twice. ] was held on April 1, 1990, with the main event being a title vs title match which saw the ] ] defeat the ] ], set the SkyDome attendance record of 67,678. The attendance record was broken when 68,237 attended ] on March 17, 2002, the main event seeing ] win the ] from Canadian ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prowrestling.about.com/od/wrestlemania/a/wmthevenues.htm|title=WrestleMania&nbsp;— The Venues and Attendance of Every WrestleMania|publisher=]|access-date=February 3, 2008|archive-date=February 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228194811/http://prowrestling.about.com/od/wrestlemania/a/wmthevenues.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>


In February 1999, the stadium hosted a taping for the February 13, 1999 episode of '']'' (a ] Saturday-night airing of ''Raw'' due to ]'s coverage of the ]), featuring ] being defeated by ] in a ] against ]. It had the largest crowd in ''Raw'' history, with a reported attendance of 41,432.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2017/2/8/14526922/today-pro-wrestling-history-feb-8-daniel-bryan-retires-wwe-raw-twitter|title=On This Day in Wrestling History: Daniel Bryan Retires|author=The Notorious Eddie Mac|date=2017-02-08|website=Cageside Seats|language=en|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref> In February 1999, the stadium hosted a taping for the February 13, 1999, episode of '']'' (a ] Saturday-night airing of ''Raw'' due to ]'s coverage of the ]), featuring ] being defeated by ] in a ] against ]. It had the largest crowd in ''Raw'' history, with a reported attendance of 41,432.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2017/2/8/14526922/today-pro-wrestling-history-feb-8-daniel-bryan-retires-wwe-raw-twitter|title=On This Day in Wrestling History: Daniel Bryan Retires|author=The Notorious Eddie Mac|date=February 8, 2017|website=Cageside Seats|language=en|access-date=January 22, 2020}}</ref>


On March 1, 2025, WWE will return to the Rogers Centre for the first time since WrestleMania X8 to host their annual ] premium live event.
=== Concerts ===

=== Music concerts ===
] concert]]
<!--Please do not add an indiscriminate list of concerts without reliable references. Misplaced Pages is not a directory of all concerts.--> <!--Please do not add an indiscriminate list of concerts without reliable references. Misplaced Pages is not a directory of all concerts.-->
The stadium has several concert configurations, including smaller ''Theatre'' (capacity 5,000 to 7,000) and ''Concert Hall'' (formerly ''SkyTent''; capacity 10,000 to 25,000).<ref>{{cite web |title=Theatre Concert|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/corporate/venue_theatre.jsp|publisher=Rogers Centre|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> Due to the stadium's design and building materials, the acoustics are poor, and the loudness/quality can vary greatly around the stadium. Its popularity with artists and fans has diminished over the years, and the ] now hosts most major concerts. The SkyTent, a group of acoustical curtain sails hoisted on rigging above the floor, helps reduce sound distortion and improve sound quality by dampening reverberations around the stadium.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Rogers Centre: One Blue Jay Way, Toronto, Ontario|url=http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/76.php|publisher=Glass Steel and Stone|access-date=August 10, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619050435/http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/76.php|archive-date=June 19, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The stadium has several concert configurations, including smaller ''Theatre'' (capacity 5,000 to 7,000) and ''Concert Hall'' (formerly ''SkyTent''; capacity 10,000 to 25,000).<ref>{{cite web |title=Theatre Concert|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/corporate/venue_theatre.jsp|publisher=Rogers Centre|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> Due to the stadium's design and building materials, the acoustics are poor, and the loudness/quality can vary greatly around the stadium. Its popularity with artists and fans has diminished over the years, and the ] now hosts most major concerts. The SkyTent, a group of acoustical curtain sails hoisted on rigging above the floor, helps reduce sound distortion and improve sound quality by dampening reverberations around the stadium.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Rogers Centre: One Blue Jay Way, Toronto, Ontario|url=http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/76.php|publisher=Glass Steel and Stone|access-date=August 10, 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619050435/http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/76.php|archive-date=June 19, 2012}}</ref>
] concert]]
Soon after its opening, the stadium became a popular venue for large-scale rock concerts and is the largest indoor concert venue in Toronto.<ref>{{cite news |title=Deadmau5 Leaves Em' Raving|first=Ben|last=Rayner|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2011/11/06/deadmau5_leaves_em_raving.html|newspaper=]|date=November 6, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2010}}</ref> Artists have included ], U2 with two concerts in 2009, as well as their concert in 2011, all part of their ].<ref name="ChartAttack-DomeOpen">{{cite web|title=Rogers Centre Dome Opening For U2's Toronto Shows|first=Kate|last=Harper|url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/74529/rogers-centre-dome-opening-for-u2s-toronto-shows|publisher=Chart Communications Inc.|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925053929/http://www.chartattack.com/news/74529/rogers-centre-dome-opening-for-u2s-toronto-shows|archive-date=September 25, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="CP24-U2">{{cite news |title=Dome Open for 2nd Concert in History as 60K Fans Rock Out with U2|url=http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090917/090917_u2/20090917/?hub=CP24Entertainment|work=]|date=September 17, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2010}}</ref><ref name="U2-360-2ndShow">{{cite web |title=U2 360° TOUR: 2009: Toronto Thursday, September 17, 2009|url=http://www.u2.com/tour/index/date/id/4467|publisher=U2 A De-Lux Excursion|year=2009|access-date=October 2, 2010}}</ref> ] performed two sellout shows on July 20 and 21, 2010, at Rogers Centre as part of ].<ref>{{cite press release|title=Events – Bon Jovi Welcomes Fans Into The Circle With 2010–2011 World Tour|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/events/article.jsp?content=20091022_135411_1508|publisher=Rogers Centre|date=October 21, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2012|archive-date=March 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313005626/http://www.rogerscentre.com/events/article.jsp?content=20091022_135411_1508|url-status=dead}}</ref> ] performed on August 24, 2012, during his ] in front of 39,000 attendees.


Soon after its opening, the stadium became a popular venue for large-scale rock concerts and is the largest indoor concert venue in Toronto.<ref>{{cite news |title=Deadmau5 Leaves Em' Raving|first=Ben|last=Rayner|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2011/11/06/deadmau5_leaves_em_raving.html|newspaper=]|date=November 6, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2010}}</ref> Artists have included:
] played two sold-out concerts at the stadium: on December 4, 1989, during the ] and on September 26, 2005, during their highest-grossing tour ]. Rogers Centre has been a venue for large ] events. During 2013, the stadium hosted two ] events, including two sold-our shows on ]'s ], and ].
*], U2 with two concerts in 2009, as well as their concert in 2011, all part of their ].<ref name="ChartAttack-DomeOpen">{{cite web|title=Rogers Centre Dome Opening For U2's Toronto Shows|first=Kate|last=Harper|url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/74529/rogers-centre-dome-opening-for-u2s-toronto-shows|publisher=Chart Communications Inc.|date=September 16, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925053929/http://www.chartattack.com/news/74529/rogers-centre-dome-opening-for-u2s-toronto-shows|archive-date=September 25, 2009}}</ref><ref name="CP24-U2">{{cite news |title=Dome Open for 2nd Concert in History as 60K Fans Rock Out with U2|url=http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090917/090917_u2/20090917/?hub=CP24Entertainment|work=]|date=September 17, 2009|access-date=October 2, 2010}}</ref><ref name="U2-360-2ndShow">{{cite news |title=U2 360° TOUR: 2009: Toronto Thursday, September 17, 2009|newspaper=U2.Com |url=http://www.u2.com/tour/index/date/id/4467|publisher=U2 A De-Lux Excursion|year=2009|access-date=October 2, 2010}}</ref>

*] performed two sellout shows on July 20 and 21, 2010, at Rogers Centre as part of ].<ref>{{cite press release|title=Events – Bon Jovi Welcomes Fans Into The Circle With 2010–2011 World Tour|url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/events/article.jsp?content=20091022_135411_1508|publisher=Rogers Centre|date=October 21, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2012|archive-date=March 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313005626/http://www.rogerscentre.com/events/article.jsp?content=20091022_135411_1508|url-status=dead}}</ref>
One of the more notable concerts, as shown in the documentary '']'', was ]'s 1990 ] show.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Rogers Centre and Blue Jays Celebrate Anniversary|url=http://www.newswire.ca/fr/story/431459/rogers-centre-and-blue-jays-celebrate-anniversary|publisher=Newswire.ca|date=June 5, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509005608/http://www.newswire.ca/fr/story/431459/rogers-centre-and-blue-jays-celebrate-anniversary|archive-date=May 9, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The touring show had become extremely controversial, due to the risqué visuals and performances. When the concert arrived in Toronto, police were alerted the show might violate local obscenity laws. The police were on site for the concert and threatened charges without changes. The show went on as planned, however, without any legal action taken. Later, she performed two concerts at the stadium again during ] in 1993
*] performed on August 24, 2012, during his ] in front of 39,000 attendees.

*] played two sold-out concerts at the stadium: on December 4, 1989, during the ] and on September 26, 2005, during their highest-grossing tour ].
] performed at Rogers Centre on July 16, 2016, during their ] in front of 48,016 attendees with ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/guns-n-roses-name-the-cult-billy-talent-more-openers-summer-2016-tour/|title=Guns N' Roses Name The Cult, Billy Talent + More Openers for Summer 2016 Tour|date=June 16, 2016|website=Loudwire|access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref> ] also played a sold-out show at the stadium as part of their ] on July 16, 2017, with special guests ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metallica.com/tour/30540|title=2017-07-16 Toronto, Ontario, Canada|publisher=Metallica.com|access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref> Shawn Mendes headlined his first stadium show to a sold-out crowd on September 6, 2019, at Rogers Centre during his ].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Brooks|first=Dave|date=December 17, 2018|title=Shawn Mendes Sells Out First Ever Stadium Show in Minutes|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8490597/shawn-mendes-sells-out-first-ever-stadium-show-in-minutes#:~:text=On%20the%20heels%20of%20Shawn,tickets%20went%20on%20sale%20Saturday.|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
*] performed three shows from 27 May, 1990 at the Skydome, the shows were part of the ], and were Canada's only dates.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://todayinmadonnahistory.com/2024/05/27/today-in-madonna-history-may-27-1990-3/| website=todayinmadonnahistory.com| title= Today in Madonna History: May 27, 1990| date=27 May 2024| access-date= 5 December 2024}}</ref>{{efn|One of the more notable concerts, as shown in the documentary ].<ref>{{cite press release|title=Rogers Centre and Blue Jays Celebrate Anniversary|url=http://www.newswire.ca/fr/story/431459/rogers-centre-and-blue-jays-celebrate-anniversary|publisher=Newswire.ca|date=June 5, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509005608/http://www.newswire.ca/fr/story/431459/rogers-centre-and-blue-jays-celebrate-anniversary|archive-date=May 9, 2013}}</ref> The touring show had become extremely controversial due to the risqué visuals and performances. When the concert arrived in Toronto, police were alerted that the show might violate local obscenity laws. The police were on site for the concert and threatened charges without changes. The show went on as planned, however, without any legal action taken.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://torontosun.com/2016/05/28/the-time-toronto-police-nearly-arrested-madonna| newspaper=Torontosun| title= The time Toronto Police nearly arrested Madonna|date=29 May 2016 |access-date=5 December 2024 }}</ref>}} Later, she performed two concerts at the stadium again during ] for October 11 & 12, 1993.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://todayinmadonnahistory.com/2015/10/11/today-in-madonna-history-october-11-1993/|website=todayinmadonnahistory.com| title= Today in Madonna History: October 11, 1993|date=11 October 2015 |access-date= }}</ref>
*Rogers Centre has been a venue for large ] events. During 2013, the stadium hosted two ] events, including two sold-out shows on ]'s ], and ].
*] performed at Rogers Centre on July 16, 2016, during their ] in front of 48,016 attendees with ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/guns-n-roses-name-the-cult-billy-talent-more-openers-summer-2016-tour/|title=Guns N' Roses Name The Cult, Billy Talent + More Openers for Summer 2016 Tour|date=June 16, 2016|website=Loudwire|access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>
*] also played a sold-out show at the stadium as part of their ] on July 16, 2017, with special guests ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metallica.com/tour/30540|title=2017-07-16 Toronto, Ontario, Canada|publisher=Metallica.com|access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>
*] headlined his first stadium show to a sold-out crowd on September 6, 2019, at Rogers Centre during his ].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Brooks|first=Dave|date=December 17, 2018|title=Shawn Mendes Sells Out First Ever Stadium Show in Minutes|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8490597/shawn-mendes-sells-out-first-ever-stadium-show-in-minutes#:~:text=On%20the%20heels%20of%20Shawn,tickets%20went%20on%20sale%20Saturday.|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
*] opened her North American leg of the ] at the Rogers Center on July 8 and 9 2023, for 56,577 people.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trapunski |first=Richard |date=2023-07-09 |title=Beyoncé Rides Her Bedazzled Horse Into Canada for Triumphant Tour Kickoff |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/beyonce-north-american-tour-kickoff-toronto-canada-live-review-1234785222/ |access-date=2024-11-23 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>
*], the American singer-songwriter performed at the Rogers Centre as part of ] from November 14 to 16 and subsequently November 21 to 23rd, making her the first artist to schedule six shows on a single tour at Rogers Centre.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://torontosun.com/entertainment/celebrity/taylor-swift-thanks-toronto-fans-in-heartfelt-instagram-post-it-was-awesome-to-play-in-canada| website=torontosun.com| title=Taylor Swift thanks Toronto fans in heartfelt Instagram post: 'It was awesome to play in Canada' |date= 26 November 2024|author=Mark Daniell|publisher=]}}</ref>


=== Other uses === === Other uses ===
*Rogers Centre contains {{convert|143000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} of exhibition space, allowing it to host a variety of events year-round.
] held at the Rogers Centre in June 2011]]
Rogers Centre contains {{convert|143000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} of exhibition space, allowing it to host a variety of events year-round.


] and ]es have used the venue. *] and ]es have used the venue.


It is home to several annual ]s, with the ] in February and Importfest in October. *It is home to several annual ]s, with the ] in February and Importfest in October.


The Opening Ceremonies of the ] were held at Rogers Centre on August 13, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=In the Community |url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/fun/community.jsp|publisher=Rogers Centre|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> *The Opening Ceremonies of the ] were held at Rogers Centre on August 13, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=In the Community |url=http://www.rogerscentre.com/fun/community.jsp|publisher=Rogers Centre|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref>


It has also hosted many ], including appearances by the ], ] ], ], and for a book reading with ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Atwood Lends Voice to World Book Night|first=Vit|last=Wagner|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/949350--atwood-lends-voice-to-world-book-night|newspaper=]|date=March 5, 2011|access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref> *It has also hosted many ], including appearances by the ], ] ], ], and for a book reading with ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Atwood Lends Voice to World Book Night|first=Vit|last=Wagner|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/books/article/949350--atwood-lends-voice-to-world-book-night|newspaper=]|date=March 5, 2011|access-date=August 13, 2011}}</ref>


In addition to being a venue that hosts sports, concerts and other events, the Rogers Centre also houses the head offices of a number of businesses. The ] have its office headquarters in the building and until 2008, the ] did as well. It is also the home of the head offices of ] Canada and ] Canada, the former also having the main Ticketmaster outlet (ticket centre) for eastern Canada, at the south end of the building beside Gate 9.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ticketmaster Canada Ltd.: Company Overview|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=21012903|website=]|access-date=July 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ticketmaster Canada Privacy Policy|url=http://www.ticketmaster.ca/h/privacy.html|publisher=Ticketmaster Canada|date=March 3, 2009|access-date=July 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=UFC Opening Canadian Office in Toronto|first=Dave|last=Deibert|url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/05/25/ufc-opening-canadian-office-in-toronto/|newspaper=]|location=Toronto|date=May 25, 2010|access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref> *In addition to being a venue that hosts sports, concerts and other events, the Rogers Centre also houses the head offices of a number of businesses. The ] have its office headquarters in the building and until 2008, the ] did as well. It is also the home of the head offices of ] Canada and ] Canada, the former also having the main Ticketmaster outlet (ticket centre) for eastern Canada, at the south end of the building beside Gate 9.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ticketmaster Canada Ltd.: Company Overview|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=21012903|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920002758/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=21012903|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 20, 2012|website=]|access-date=July 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ticketmaster Canada Privacy Policy|url=http://www.ticketmaster.ca/h/privacy.html|publisher=Ticketmaster Canada|date=March 3, 2009|access-date=July 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=UFC Opening Canadian Office in Toronto|first=Dave|last=Deibert|url=http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/05/25/ufc-opening-canadian-office-in-toronto/|newspaper=]|location=Toronto|date=May 25, 2010|access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref>


In addition, the building contains the Toronto ], a Premier Fitness/Health Club, a ] store, (formerly) a ] (now John Street Terrace), and (formerly) Windows Restaurant (now WestJet Flight Deck). Starting in 2006, the Hard Rock Cafe only opened when there was a performance in the building, and closed altogether in 2009.<ref name="hrcclose" /> On non-event days, there are daily tours of the Rogers Centre. *In addition, the building contains the Toronto ], a Premier Fitness/Health Club, (formerly) a ] (now John Street Terrace), and (formerly) Windows Restaurant (now WestJet Flight Deck). From 2006 until its closure in 2009, the Hard Rock Cafe only opened when there was a performance in the building.<ref name="hrcclose" /> On non-event days, there are daily tours of the Rogers Centre.


=== Attendance records === === Attendance records ===
* ]'s ] attracted the largest paid crowd to SkyDome. The March 17, 2002, event gathered 68,237 fans. ] held the previous record of 67,678 on April 1, 1990.
] run onto the field of the Rogers Centre, after winning the ] in 2012]]
* ]: The ] on July 9 attracted 52,383 spectators.
*]'s ] attracted the largest paid crowd to SkyDome. The March 17, 2002, event gathered 68,237 fans. ] held the previous record of 67,678 on April 1, 1990.
* ] Mission Ontario Youth Rally: This meeting, on June 10, 1995, is conceivably the most attended event in the stadium's history. The attendance of 72,500 was boosted by performances by several ] groups, and by extensive seating on the field. There were as many as 30,000 people outside, watching the event on screens around the stadium.<ref name="Baptist Press">{{cite web |first=Herb|last=Hollinger|title=Graham recuperation won't derail Southern Baptist Convention date|publisher=Baptist Press|date=June 10, 1995|url=http://media.sbhla.org.s3.amazonaws.com/7999,16-Jun-1995.pdf|access-date=January 15, 2010}}</ref>
*]: The ] on July 9 attracted 52,383 spectators.
*] Mission Ontario Youth Rally: This meeting, on June 10, 1995, is conceivably the most attended event in SkyDome's history. The attendance of 72,500 was boosted by performances by several Christian music groups, and by extensive seating on the field. There were as many as 30,000 people outside, watching the event on screens around the stadium.<ref name="Baptist Press">{{cite web |first=Herb|last=Hollinger|title=Graham recuperation won't derail Southern Baptist Convention date|publisher=Baptist Press|date=June 10, 1995|url=http://media.sbhla.org.s3.amazonaws.com/7999,16-Jun-1995.pdf|access-date=January 15, 2010}}</ref> * ]: A crowd of 52,268 attended game five of the ], which Toronto lost 7–2 to the ]. The smallest crowd for a Jays game occurred in April 2010, when 10,314 watched Toronto win 8–1 against the ].<ref name="TSN-lowAttendance">{{cite web |agency=Canadian Press|title=Jays pound Royals in front of smallest-ever crowd at Dome|publisher=TSN|date=April 19, 2010|url=http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=318689|access-date=April 19, 2010}}</ref>
* ]: 54,088 packed the SkyDome to watch the ] Game between the ] and the ].
*]: A crowd of 52,268 attended game five of the ], which Toronto lost 7–2 to the ]. The smallest crowd for a Jays game occurred in April 2010, when 10,314 watched Toronto win 8–1 against the ].<ref name="TSN-lowAttendance">{{cite web |agency=Canadian Press|title=Jays pound Royals in front of smallest-ever crowd at Dome|publisher=TSN|date=April 19, 2010|url=http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=318689|access-date=April 19, 2010}}</ref>
* ]: The 1991 Eastern Division Final played against the ] drew a crowd of 50,386. The smallest crowd for an Argonauts game occurred on July 13, 2001, when 11,041 people watched Toronto lose 30–16 against Winnipeg<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/bombers-finally-win-in-skydome-1.288911|title=Bombers finally win in SkyDome|publisher=Cbc.ca|date=July 13, 2001|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref>
*]: 54,088 packed SkyDome to watch the ] Game between the ] and the ].
*]: The 1991 Eastern Division Final played against the ] drew a crowd of 50,386. The smallest crowd for an Argonauts game occurred on July 13, 2001, when 11,041 people watched Toronto lose 30–16 against Winnipeg<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2001/07/13/bombers010713.html|title=Bombers finally win in SkyDome|publisher=Cbc.ca|date=July 13, 2001|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> * ]: 55,799 fans filled the Rogers Centre to see the ] defeat the ] 9–7 in an ] exhibition game on August 12, 1995.<ref>{{cite web |title=1995 Buffalo Bills|url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/1995nflbuf.html|access-date=April 23, 2011}}</ref>
* ]: A March 24, 1996, game against the ] drew a crowd of 36,131. For this game, the basketball venue was reconfigured to accommodate more fans due to the popularity of the visiting team, which basketball superstar ] played for during this time. The expansion Raptors handed the record-setting Bulls one of their ten defeats that season, winning 109–108.
*]: 55,799 fans filled the Rogers Centre to see the ] defeat the ] 9–7 in an ] exhibition game on August 12, 1995.<ref>{{cite web |title=1995 Buffalo Bills|url=http://www.profootballarchives.com/1995nflbuf.html|access-date=April 23, 2011}}</ref>
* ]: A July 31, 2004, soccer game between ] and ] drew 50,158.
*]: A March 24, 1996, game against the ] drew a crowd of 36,131. For this game, the basketball venue was reconfigured to accommodate more fans due to the popularity of the visiting team, which basketball superstar ] played for during this time. The expansion Raptors handed the record-setting Bulls one of their ten defeats that season, winning 109–108.
* ]: ] sold 55,000 tickets for the highest single-day event gate in the stadium's history and set new world records for the sport.<ref name="Yahoo! Sports UFC 129 Attendence">{{cite web |title=UFC 129 Sold Out, Shatters Records With 55,000 Tickets|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=AlzGepvyxFdZZ51G4KDzm309Eo14?slug=mmaweekly-834de44e4a03e5c59c453c61d287d74a|publisher=]|date=February 12, 2011|access-date=February 14, 2011}}</ref>
*]: A July 31, 2004, soccer game between ] and ] drew 50,158.
*]: ] sold 55,000 tickets for the highest single-day event gate in the stadium's history and set new world records for the sport.<ref name="Yahoo! Sports UFC 129 Attendence">{{cite web |title=UFC 129 Sold Out, Shatters Records With 55,000 Tickets|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=AlzGepvyxFdZZ51G4KDzm309Eo14?slug=mmaweekly-834de44e4a03e5c59c453c61d287d74a|publisher=]|date=February 12, 2011|access-date=February 14, 2011}}</ref>
*]: Packed in 53,208 into the stadium for the ] between the ] and the ]


== Timeline == == Timeline ==
*'''1986'''&nbsp;– October 3&nbsp;– SkyDome's ground is broken. * '''1986'''&nbsp;– October 3&nbsp;– SkyDome's ground is broken.
*'''1987'''&nbsp;– June 3&nbsp;– The stadium is officially named "SkyDome". * '''1987'''&nbsp;– June 3&nbsp;– The stadium is officially named "SkyDome".
*'''1989'''&nbsp;– June 2&nbsp;– Dress rehearsal for opening ceremony, family/friends of volunteer performers invited to attend. First unofficial "]" performed at SkyDome. * '''1989'''&nbsp;– June 2&nbsp;– Dress rehearsal for opening ceremony, family/friends of volunteer performers invited to attend. First unofficial "]" performed at SkyDome.
*'''1989'''&nbsp;– June 3&nbsp;– SkyDome officially opens, hosting a live opening night gala. * '''1989'''&nbsp;– June 3&nbsp;– SkyDome officially opens, hosting a live opening night gala.
*'''1989'''&nbsp;– June 5&nbsp;– SkyDome plays host to its first ] game. The Jays lose 5–3 to the ]. * '''1989'''&nbsp;– June 5&nbsp;– SkyDome plays host to its first ] game. The Blue Jays lose 5–3 to the ].
*'''1989'''&nbsp;– June 5&nbsp;– ] hits the first ] at SkyDome. * '''1989'''&nbsp;– June 5&nbsp;– ] hits the first ] at SkyDome.
*'''1989'''&nbsp;– June 7&nbsp;– ] records the first Blue Jays win at SkyDome, beating the Brewers 4–2. * '''1989'''&nbsp;– June 7&nbsp;– ] records the first Blue Jays win at SkyDome, beating the Brewers 4–2.
*'''1989'''&nbsp;– June 8&nbsp;– ] performs the first concert at SkyDome. * '''1989'''&nbsp;– June 8&nbsp;– ] performs the first concert at SkyDome.
*'''1989'''&nbsp;– July 12&nbsp;– The stadium plays host to its first ] game. * '''1989'''&nbsp;– July 12&nbsp;– The stadium plays host to its first ] game, a 24–15 loss to the ].
*'''1989'''&nbsp;– July 17&nbsp;– First Doubleheader at Skydome and the Jays win both games beating Angels. * '''1989'''&nbsp;– July 17&nbsp;– First Doubleheader at Skydome and the Jays win both games beating the Angels.
*'''1989'''&nbsp;– ] hits a home run into the fifth deck of SkyDome, off Toronto Blue Jays' pitcher ]. It is an estimated {{convert|480|ft|adj=on}} shot, although one journalist estimated it to be at least 500 feet.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Room With a View in Toronto|first=Tyler|last=Kepner|url=http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/a-room-with-a-view-in-toronto/|newspaper=]|date=March 8, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref> * '''1989'''&nbsp;– Athletics' ] hits a home run into the fifth deck of SkyDome, off Toronto Blue Jays' pitcher ]. It is an estimated {{convert|480|ft|adj=on}} shot, although one journalist estimated it to be at least 500 feet.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Room With a View in Toronto|first=Tyler|last=Kepner|url=http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/a-room-with-a-view-in-toronto/|newspaper=]|date=March 8, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2012}}</ref>
*'''1989'''&nbsp;- November 5&nbsp;- Rest of the World defeats West Indies by 11 runs in longest game (Cricket) hosted by SkyDome * '''1989'''&nbsp; November 5&nbsp; Rest of the World defeats West Indies by 11 runs in longest game (cricket) hosted by SkyDome
*'''1989'''&nbsp;– November 26&nbsp;- The ] defeat the ] 43–40 in the ]. * '''1989'''&nbsp;– November 26&nbsp; The ] defeat the ] 43–40 in the ].
*'''1990''' – April 1 – ] saw the then SkyDome attendance record of 67,678. * '''1990''' – April 1 – ] saw the then SkyDome attendance record of 67,678.
*'''1990'''&nbsp;– The ] single season attendance record is broken with 58 sellouts and a season total crowd of 3,885,284. * '''1990'''&nbsp;– The ] single-season attendance record is broken with 58 sellouts and a season total crowd of 3,885,284.
*'''1991'''&nbsp;– July 9&nbsp;– The stadium is the host of the ]. * '''1991'''&nbsp;– July 9&nbsp;– The stadium is the host of the ].
*'''1992'''&nbsp;– The ] defeat the ] 24–10 in the ]. * '''1992'''&nbsp;– The ] defeat the ] 24–10 in the ].
*'''1992'''&nbsp;– The first ] game outside the United States is played at SkyDome, as the Blue Jays host the ] in game three of the ]. * '''1992'''&nbsp;– The first ] game outside the United States is played at SkyDome, as the Blue Jays host the ] in game three of the ].
* '''1993'''&nbsp;– October 23&nbsp;– The Blue Jays win their second straight World Series championship when Toronto ] ] hits a walk-off home run against ] pitcher ].
]]]
* '''1995'''&nbsp;– June 22&nbsp;– During a game against the ], two acoustic panels fall off the inner ceiling in the seventh inning, injuring seven fans. The game is not stopped.<ref>{{cite news |title=Skydome is Falling! Skydome is Falling!|agency=]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19950623&id=6rUeAAAAIBAJ&pg=5997,1563933|newspaper=]|date=June 23, 1995|access-date=April 4, 2013|pages=B1, B5}}</ref>
*'''1993'''&nbsp;– October 23&nbsp;– The Blue Jays win their second straight World Series championship when Toronto ] ] hits a walk-off home run against ] pitcher ].
* '''1995'''&nbsp;– July 9&nbsp;– A worker dies when installing lights for a computer show (falling {{convert|25|ft|m|order=flip}})
*'''1995'''&nbsp;– June 22&nbsp;– During a game against the ], two acoustic panels fall off the inner ceiling in the seventh inning, injuring seven fans. The game is not stopped.<ref>{{cite news |title=Skydome is Falling! Skydome is Falling!|agency=]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19950623&id=6rUeAAAAIBAJ&pg=5997,1563933|newspaper=]|date=June 23, 1995|access-date=April 4, 2013|pages=B1, B5}}</ref>
* '''1998'''&nbsp;– November&nbsp;– Several dignitaries, including ] ], honour the visiting ]n ] ].
*'''1995'''&nbsp;– July 9&nbsp;– A worker dies when installing lights for a computer show (falling {{convert|25|ft|m|order=flip}})
*'''1998'''&nbsp;– November&nbsp;– Several dignitaries, including ] ], honour the visiting ]n ] ]. * '''1998'''&nbsp;– November&nbsp;– SkyDome files for ] protection.
*'''1998'''&nbsp;– November&nbsp;– SkyDome files for ] protection. * '''1998'''&nbsp;– SkyDome is purchased out of bankruptcy by Sportsco.
* '''2001'''&nbsp;– April 12&nbsp;– A scheduled Blue Jays' game against the ] is cancelled due to the retractable roof jamming during a test run, damaging the roof and sending debris crashing to the field below.<ref>{{cite news |title=SkyDome Roof Shreds|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/skydome-roof-shreds-1.277009|work=]|date=April 12, 2001|access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref>
*'''1998'''&nbsp;– SkyDome is purchased out of bankruptcy by Sportsco.
*'''2001'''&nbsp;– April 12&nbsp;– A scheduled Blue Jays' game against the ] is cancelled due to the retractable roof jamming during a test run, damaging the roof and sending debris crashing to the field below.<ref>{{cite news |title=SkyDome Roof Shreds|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2001/04/12/skydome010412.html|work=]|date=April 12, 2001|access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref> * '''2001'''&nbsp;– August 3&nbsp;– The retractable roof is ordered closed in the third inning of a Toronto Blue Jays' game against the ] at the request of home plate ] ], as a swarm of thousands of ]s descends on SkyDome.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blue Jays Work the Bugs Out|agency=]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-04-sp-30584-story.html|newspaper=]|date=August 4, 2001|access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref>
* '''2001'''&nbsp;– Oct 5&nbsp;– The second doubleheader at SkyDome and the Jays win both games again beating the Cleveland Indians.
*'''2001'''&nbsp;– August 3&nbsp;– The retractable roof is ordered closed in the third inning of a Toronto Blue Jays' game against the ] at the request of home plate ] ], as a swarm of thousands of ]s descends on SkyDome.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blue Jays Work the Bugs Out|agency=]|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2001/aug/04/sports/sp-30584|newspaper=]|date=August 4, 2001|access-date=April 4, 2013}}</ref>
* '''2002''' – March 17 – ] sets the SkyDome attendance record of 68,237.
*'''2001'''&nbsp;– Oct 5&nbsp;– The second doubleheader at SkyDome and the Jays win both games again beating the Cleveland Indians.
*'''2002''' March 17 – ] sets the SkyDome attendance record of 68,237. * '''2005'''&nbsp;February 2&nbsp;– ] buys the stadium and renames it Rogers Centre.
* '''2007'''&nbsp;– November 25&nbsp;– Rogers Centre plays host to the ], the first in Toronto in 15&nbsp;years. The ] defeat the ] 23–19 in the game.
*'''2005'''&nbsp;– February 2&nbsp;– ] buys the stadium and renames it Rogers Centre.
* '''2008''' – August 14 – Rogers Centre plays host to a pre-season ] game between the ] and ], the first of a five-year lease deal that sees ].
] in 2007, the first Grey Cup to be held in the city since 1992]]
*'''2007'''&nbsp;November 25&nbsp;– Rogers Centre plays host to the ], the first in Toronto in 15&nbsp;years. The ] defeat the ] 23–19 in the game. * '''2011''' April 30 – Rogers Centre holds its first ] event, ]. It is the first to be held in a stadium and was the biggest ] event in North America at that time.
* '''2011''' – June 25 – Rogers Centre successfully holds the first ] event in North America.
*'''2008''' – August 14 – Rogers Centre plays host to a pre-season ] game between the ] and ], the first of a five-year lease deal that sees ].
* '''2012'''&nbsp;– November 25&nbsp;– The ] defeat the ] in the ] 35–22. ] headlined a special Kick-Off Show, and half time performers include internationally renowned Canadian singers ], ], ], and ].
*'''2011''' – April 30 – Rogers Centre holds its first ] event, ]. It is the first to be held in a stadium and was the biggest ] event in North America at that time.
*'''2011''' June 25 – Rogers Centre successfully holds the first ] event in North America. * '''2015'''&nbsp;July 10&nbsp;– Rogers Centre holds ] of the ].
*'''2012'''&nbsp;– November 25&nbsp;– The ] defeat the ] in the ] 35–22. ] headlined a special Kick-Off Show, and half time performers include internationally renowned Canadian singers ], ], ], and ].
*'''2015'''&nbsp;– July 10&nbsp;– Rogers Centre holds ] of the ].
], held at the Rogers Centre]] ], held at the Rogers Centre]]
*'''2015'''&nbsp;– July 26&nbsp;– Rogers Centre holds ] of the 2015 Pan American Games. * '''2015'''&nbsp;– July 26&nbsp;– Rogers Centre holds ] of the 2015 Pan American Games.
*'''2016'''&nbsp; October 4&nbsp; Rogers Centre opens its roof for the first time in Blue Jays postseason history during the ] against the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/manfred-looking-like-rogers-centre-dome-will-open-wild-card/|title=Rogers Centre dome will be open for Blue Jays-Orioles wild card game|last=Johnston|first=Mike|publisher=Sportsnet.ca|date=October 4, 2016}}</ref> * '''2015'''&nbsp;- November 6&nbsp;- The last Argonauts game hosted at Rogers Centre before the team's move to ] in the next season. The Argonauts won against the ] with a score of 21–11.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/toronto-argonauts-win-final-game-at-rogers-centre-where-they-played-27-seasons-1.2647367|title=Toronto Argonauts win final game at Rogers Centre where they played 27 seasons|date=2015-11-06|access-date=2022-07-31|first=Neil|last=Davidson|publisher=]}}</ref>
*'''2018'''&nbsp;– April 16&nbsp;– A scheduled Blue Jays' game against the ] is cancelled due to the retractable roof having a hole as a result of the mid-April 2018 ice storm.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/jays-game-falling-ice-rogers-centre-1.4621981| title = Blue Jays game postponed due to ice-damaged dome {{!}} CBC Sports}} </ref> * '''2016'''&nbsp;– October 4&nbsp;– Rogers Centre opens its roof for the first time in Blue Jays postseason history during the ] against the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/manfred-looking-like-rogers-centre-dome-will-open-wild-card/|title=Rogers Centre dome will be open for Blue Jays-Orioles wild card game|last=Johnston|first=Mike|publisher=Sportsnet.ca|date=October 4, 2016}}</ref>
* '''2018'''&nbsp;– April 16&nbsp;– A scheduled Blue Jays' game against the ] is cancelled due to the retractable roof having a hole as a result of the mid-April 2018 ice storm.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/jays-game-falling-ice-rogers-centre-1.4621981| title = Blue Jays game postponed due to ice-damaged dome {{!}} CBC Sports}}</ref>
*'''2018'''&nbsp;– April 17&nbsp;– The third doubleheader in Blue Jays history at Rogers Centre and the Blue Jays would remain unbeaten in doubleheaders at Rogers Centre as they beat Royals 11–3 in Game 1 and 5–4 in Game 2.
*'''2020–21'''&nbsp;– The Blue Jays are forced to relocate their home games to ] in ] and ] in ] on a temporary basis for the ] and the start of the following season as a result of the ] and the closure of the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-2020-season-delayed|title=Opening Day delayed at least 2 weeks; Spring Training games cancelled|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=March 12, 2020}}</ref> * '''2018'''&nbsp;– April 17&nbsp;– The third doubleheader in Blue Jays history at Rogers Centre and the Blue Jays would remain unbeaten in doubleheaders at Rogers Centre as they beat Royals 11–3 in Game 1 and 5–4 in Game 2.
* '''2020–21'''&nbsp;– The Blue Jays are forced to relocate their home games to ] in ] and ] in ] on a temporary basis for the ] and the start of the following season as a result of the ] and the closure of the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-2020-season-delayed|title=Opening Day delayed at least 2 weeks; Spring Training games cancelled|date=March 12, 2020|access-date=March 12, 2020}}</ref>
*'''2021'''&nbsp;– July 30&nbsp;– The first Blue Jays game back at Rogers Centre since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was against the ]. * '''2021'''&nbsp;– July 30&nbsp;– The first Blue Jays game back at Rogers Centre since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was against the ].
* '''2022'''&nbsp;– July - The Blue Jays unveil plans for a major renovation of the Rogers Centre, with phase 1 focusing on outfield improvements.<ref name=digest1/>
*'''2023'''&nbsp;– July - Phase 2 of the Rogers Centre renovation plans are unveiled.<ref name=digest2/>
*'''2024'''&nbsp;– April - The two offseason renovations are completed, and the stadium was officially re-opened.<ref name=star/>
<!--Please don't add concerts unless it is a major milestone in itself-->


== Facts and figures == == Facts and figures ==

=== Baseball firsts === === Baseball firsts ===

====Opening Day (June 5, 1989)====
====Opening day (June 5, 1989)====
Reference: firsts]]
Reference: Retrosheet: Skydome firsts<ref>{{Cite web |title=Skydome Firsts |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/ballparks/skydome.htm |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.retrosheet.org}}</ref>


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] ]
*The stadium roof has a patent, preventing its design from being easily copied: U.S. Patent #4676033. The patent was officially filed on May 1, 1986 and published June 30, 1987, to dome designers, architect ] and structural engineer Michael Allen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=4676033.PN.&OS=PN/4676033&RS=PN/4676033|title=United States Patent 4,676,033|publisher=USPTO.gov|access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> * The stadium roof had a patent, which prevented its design from being easily copied: U.S. Patent #4676033. The patent was filed on May 1, 1986, and published June 30, 1987, to dome designers, architect ] and structural engineer Michael Allen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=4676033.PN.&OS=PN/4676033&RS=PN/4676033|title=United States Patent 4,676,033|publisher=USPTO.gov|access-date=April 14, 2015}}</ref> The patent expired in 2006.
*The original mascot of the stadium was a turtle by the name of ''Domer''. Domer has not been widely used since the mid-1990s, although he did make a return on June 6, 2014, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rogers Centre.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cp24.com/news/toronto-s-skydome-opened-25-years-ago-today-1.1850386|title=Toronto's SkyDome opened 25 years ago today|last=Kitching|first=Chris|publisher=]|date=3 June 2014|access-date=11 October 2021}}</ref> * The original mascot of the stadium was a turtle by the name of Domer. Domer has not been widely used since the mid-1990s, although he did make a return on June 6, 2014, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rogers Centre.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cp24.com/news/toronto-s-skydome-opened-25-years-ago-today-1.1850386|title=Toronto's SkyDome opened 25 years ago today|last=Kitching|first=Chris|publisher=]|date=June 3, 2014|access-date=October 11, 2021}}</ref>
*When the retractable roof is open, people standing on the observation deck of the nearby ] can look down on the field. * When the retractable roof is open, people standing on the observation deck of the nearby ] can look down on the field.
*Over 50&nbsp;million people have visited SkyDome/Rogers Centre. * Over 50&nbsp;million people have visited SkyDome/Rogers Centre.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
*When the roof is open, 91 percent of the seats and 100 percent of the field is open to the sky, covering an area of {{convert|3.2|ha|acre|abbr=off}}. * When the roof is open, 91 percent of the seats and 100 percent of the field is open to the sky, covering an area of {{convert|3.2|ha|acre|abbr=off}}.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* The roof weighs {{convert|11000|ST|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/ballpark/information/history | title=History &#124; Rogers Centre &#124; Toronto Blue Jays | website=] }}</ref> and is held together by 250,000 bolts.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
*The roof weighs 11,000 tons and is held together by 250,000 bolts.
*The stadium's inward-looking hotel rooms have regular two-way windows, yielding instances of what some could consider indecent exposure and leading to nicknames such as "SexDome" and "Exhibitionist Stadium". When SkyDome first opened, a couple engaging in sexual intercourse was televised on the scoreboard Jumbotron during a baseball game, thanks to illumination from stadium lighting despite the room's lights being off. Days later, a man was caught masturbating during a game in full view of the packed stands. The man, later tracked down by a '']'' reporter, calmly said, "I thought they were one-way windows."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/05/18/Fans-distracted-by-sex-during-Blue-Jays-game/7438643003200/|title=Fans distracted by sex during Blue Jays game}}</ref> Patrons now have to sign contracts stipulating they will not perform any lewd acts within view of the stadium. The last reported such instance occurred in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/2012/09/16/skydome_hotel_scandals_over_the_years.html|title=SkyDome Hotel scandals over the years|website=]|date=September 16, 2012}}</ref> Occasionally, broadcasts will ] from these hotel rooms, such as a pillow fight during the 1992 World Series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/2012/09/17/birds_eye_view_of_blue_jays_from_comfort_of_instadium_hotel.html|title = Bird's eye view of Blue Jays from comfort of in-stadium hotel|website = ]|date = September 17, 2012}}</ref> * The stadium's inward-looking hotel rooms have regular two-way windows, yielding instances of what some could consider indecent exposure and leading to nicknames such as "SexDome" and "Exhibitionist Stadium". When SkyDome first opened, a couple engaging in sexual intercourse was televised on the scoreboard Jumbotron during a baseball game, thanks to illumination from stadium lighting despite the room's lights being off. Days later, a man was caught masturbating during a game in full view of the packed stands. The man, later tracked down by a '']'' reporter, calmly said, "I thought they were one-way windows."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/05/18/Fans-distracted-by-sex-during-Blue-Jays-game/7438643003200/|title=Fans distracted by sex during Blue Jays game}}</ref> Patrons now have to sign contracts stipulating they will not perform any lewd acts within view of the stadium. The last reported such instance occurred in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/2012/09/16/skydome_hotel_scandals_over_the_years.html|title=SkyDome Hotel scandals over the years|website=]|date=September 16, 2012}}</ref> Occasionally, broadcasts will ] from these hotel rooms, such as a ] during the 1992 World Series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/2012/09/17/birds_eye_view_of_blue_jays_from_comfort_of_instadium_hotel.html|title = Bird's eye view of Blue Jays from comfort of in-stadium hotel|website = ]|date = September 17, 2012}}</ref>
*When the stadium first opened, the ] was worried about the challenge of moving the large crowds. As a way to streamline the entry to the subway and to encourage public transit use to the stadium, all tickets for the first 30&nbsp;days also worked as a ], which was the commission's monthly pass. * When the stadium first opened, the ] was worried about the challenge of moving the large crowds. As a way to streamline the entry to the subway and to encourage public transit use to the stadium, all tickets for the first 30&nbsp;days also worked as a ], which was the commission's monthly pass.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
*The stadium corporation has been requested to help in the planning of other venues from the U.S., Netherlands, England, Australia, New Zealand, to Singapore, China and Germany ''(Source: Rogers Centre Press release)''. * The stadium corporation has been requested to help in the planning of other venues from the U.S., the Netherlands, England, Australia, New Zealand, to Singapore, China and Germany ''(Source: Rogers Centre Press release)''.
*It was the most expensive stadium in both the ] and ], constructed at a price of ]570&nbsp;million<ref name=cbcwinlose /> (C${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|570000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}). This record was passed by the ] at a cost of US$1.5&nbsp;billion. If Montreal's ] (which was formerly the home field of the ], only used for CFL playoff games since the late 2000s and ] since the mid-2010s) were counted, it would take the title, with a 1976 cost of C$1.6&nbsp;billion (C${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|1600000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}). * It was the most expensive stadium in both the ] and ], constructed at a price of ]570&nbsp;million<ref name=cbcwinlose /> (C${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|570000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}). This record was passed by the ] at a cost of US$1.5&nbsp;billion. If Montreal's ] (which was formerly the home field of the ], only used for CFL playoff games since the late 2000s and ] since the mid-2010s) were counted, it would take the title, with a 1976 cost of C$1.6&nbsp;billion (C${{formatprice|{{Inflation|CA|1600000000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|CA}} dollars{{inflation-fn|CA}}).
*Because of the orientation of the baseball playing field at Rogers Centre, when a player is at bat, the direction he is facing looks farther to the west than at any other Major League Baseball park.<ref>{{cite web | last = Robinson | first = Craig | title = Ballpark Orientation: Direction the Batter is Facing at all MLB Parks | website = Flip Flop Fly Ball | publisher = Bloomsbury | url = http://www.flipflopflyin.com/flipflopflyball/info-orientation.html}}</ref> * Because of the orientation of the baseball playing field at Rogers Centre, when a player is at bat, the direction he is facing looks farther to the west than at any other Major League Baseball park.<ref>{{cite web | last = Robinson | first = Craig | title = Ballpark Orientation: Direction the Batter is Facing at all MLB Parks | website = Flip Flop Fly Ball | publisher = Bloomsbury | url = http://www.flipflopflyin.com/flipflopflyball/info-orientation.html}}</ref>
*Rogers Centre has hosted regular-season games of five of the six ] throughout the stadium's history; all but a ] (NHL) game, despite the ] being in the NHL. * Rogers Centre has hosted regular-season games of five of the six ] throughout the stadium's history; all but a ] (NHL) game, despite the ] being in the NHL.


== In popular culture == == In popular culture ==
The stadium is the setting of the climax in the 2022 Pixar animated film '']'', in which the fictional boy band 4TOWN performs a large-scale concert during which the stadium is partially destroyed. As the Toronto-set film's time period is set in 2002, the stadium is referred to by its original SkyDome name.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mele |first=Rick |date=2022-03-11 |title=All the Toronto References We Could Spot in Pixar's 'Turning Red' |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/all-the-toronto-references-we-could-spot-in-pixars-turning-red/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=Complex Canada |language=en}}</ref> *The stadium is the setting of the climax in the 2022 ] animated film '']'', in which the fictional ] 4*Town performs a large-scale concert during which the stadium is partially destroyed. As the Toronto-set film's time period is set in 2002, the stadium is referred to by its original SkyDome name.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mele |first=Rick |date=March 11, 2022 |title=All the Toronto References We Could Spot in Pixar's 'Turning Red' |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/all-the-toronto-references-we-could-spot-in-pixars-turning-red/ |access-date=March 13, 2022 |website=Complex Canada |language=en}}</ref>

*The exterior part of the venue has been used in ]'s 2024 film, '']'',<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 18, 2024|last=Landau|first=Jack|title=A new major movie was just filmed at Blue Jays' Rogers Centre|url=https://dailyhive.com/toronto/major-movie-filmed-blue-jays-rogers-centre|access-date=2024-04-19|website=]|archive-date=April 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419184141/https://dailyhive.com/toronto/major-movie-filmed-blue-jays-rogers-centre|url-status=live}}</ref> which was renamed "Tanaka Arena" for the story's outline, hosting a Lady Raven concert, who is the movie's popstar.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150px" heights="150px">
Rogers Centre July 2005 02.jpg|Interior of the stadium in 2005. Rogers refurbished several parts of the stadium after its acquisition, including replacing the Jumbotron with a Daktronics video display.
Toronto - ON - Rogers Centre (Nacht).jpg|The roof of the Rogers Centre illuminated during the night in 2008.
Toronto Blue Jays Shop, Rogers Centre -throughglass (35678680363).jpg|Exterior entrance to one of the two ] Shop locations at Rogers Centre.
Rogers Centre video screen.jpg|The stadium's video board in 2018, depicting the two ] won by the Blue Jays in ] and ]
Rogers Centre - TFC vs Galaxy (6965625113).jpg|A soccer match between ] and the ] in 2012
IIFA Toronto 2011 (8).jpg|The ] held at the Rogers Centre in June 2011
100th Grey Cup Toronto November 2012 (1).jpg|Members of the ] run onto the field of the Rogers Centre, after winning the ] in 2012
Blue Jays Win the 1993 World Series.jpg|Fireworks at the stadium after the Toronto Blue Jays win the ]
95th Grey Cup Toronto 2007 Rogers Centre End Zone.jpg|Scene from the ] in 2007, the first Grey Cup to be held in the city since 1992
Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel - Toronto, ON.jpg|Marriott hotel connected to the stadium
</gallery>


== See also == == See also ==
*] * ]
*] * ]
*] * ]
*]
*]
{{Portal bar|American football|Architecture|Association football|Baseball|Sports|Canada|Ontario}} {{Portal bar|American football|Architecture|Association football|Baseball|Sports|Canada|Ontario}}


== References == == References ==
{{Reflist}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/ballparks/skydome.htm|ref=RetrosheetRef|title=Skydome Firsts|publisher=Retrosheet|access-date=March 27, 2013}}


== Notes == ===Notes===
{{reflist}} {{Notelist}}


== External links == == External links ==
{{Commons category}} {{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/ballpark}} * {{Official website|https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/ballpark}}
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Latest revision as of 21:34, 13 January 2025

Sports stadium in Toronto, Canada "SkyDome" redirects here. For other uses, see SkyDome (disambiguation). Not to be confused with the nearby Rogers Communications Centre academic building. For the convention centre in Ottawa, see Rogers Centre Ottawa. For other similarly named arenas and stadiums, see Rogers Stadium.

Rogers Centre
SkyDome
Rogers Centre in 2008
Rogers Centre is located in TorontoRogers CentreRogers CentreLocation in TorontoShow map of TorontoRogers Centre is located in Southern OntarioRogers CentreRogers CentreLocation in Southern OntarioShow map of Southern OntarioRogers Centre is located in OntarioRogers CentreRogers CentreLocation in OntarioShow map of OntarioRogers Centre is located in CanadaRogers CentreRogers CentreLocation in CanadaShow map of Canada
Former namesSkyDome (1989–2005)
Address1 Blue Jays Way
LocationToronto, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates43°38′29″N 79°23′21″W / 43.64139°N 79.38917°W / 43.64139; -79.38917
Public transit Union Station
Union subway
GO Bus Terminal
 509  Harbourfront
 510  Spadina
OwnerRogers Communications
OperatorRogers Stadium Limited Partnership
CapacityBaseball: 39,150
Concerts: 10,000–55,000
Record attendanceWrestleMania X8: 68,237 (March 17, 2002)
Field sizeLeft Field Line – 328 ft (100 m)
Left-Centre – 368 ft (112 m)
Left-Centre Power Alley – 381 ft (116 m)
Centre Field – 400 ft (120 m)
Right-Centre Power Alley – 372 ft (113 m)
Right-Centre – 359 ft (109 m)
Right Field Line – 328 ft (100 m)
Backstop – 60 ft (18 m)
SurfaceAstroTurf (1989–2004)
FieldTurf (2005–2010)
AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D (2010–2014)
AstroTurf 3D Xtreme (2015)
AstroTurf 3D Xtreme with dirt infield (2016–present)
Construction
Broke groundOctober 3, 1986
OpenedJune 3, 1989 (as SkyDome)
Renovated2022–2024
Construction cost$570 million
$400 million (2022–2024 renovation)
ArchitectRod Robbie, Robbie Adjeleian NORR Consortium (1989)
Populous (2024 renovation)
Structural engineerAdjeleian Allen Rubeli Ltd.
Services engineerThe Mitchell Partnership Inc.
General contractorEllisDon Construction
Tenants
Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) (1989–present)
Toronto Argonauts (CFL) (1989–2015)
Toronto Raptors (NBA) (1995–1999)
International Bowl (NCAA) (2007–2010)

Rogers Centre (originally SkyDome) is a retractable roof stadium in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated at the base of the CN Tower near the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989 on the former Railway Lands, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). As well as being improved over the decades, during the MLB offseasons of 2022–24, the stadium was renovated by upgrading the sports facilities and hospitality whilst reducing the capacity for baseball games. While it is primarily a sports venue, the stadium also hosts other large events such as conventions, trade fairs, concerts, travelling carnivals, circuses and monster truck shows.

Previously, the stadium was also home to the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL) played an annual game at the stadium as part of the Bills Toronto Series from 2008 to 2013. The stadium served as the site of both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2015 Pan American Games (renamed the Pan-Am Dome or Pan-Am Ceremonies Venue due to sponsorship regulations).

The stadium was renamed "Rogers Centre" following the 2005 purchase of the stadium by Rogers Communications, the corporation that also owns the Toronto Blue Jays. The venue is noted for being the first stadium to have a fully retractable motorized roof, as well as for the 348-room hotel attached to it with 70 rooms overlooking the field. It is the last North American major-league stadium built to accommodate both football and baseball.

History

Background and design

The idea of building a domed stadium can be traced back to the bid that Toronto lost to Montreal as the Canadian candidate city for the 1976 Summer Olympics. In the proposal, an 80,000–100,000 seat complex would be part of the planned Harbour City development on the site of Maple Leaf Stadium.

The contemporary impetus for building an enclosed sports venue in Toronto came following the Grey Cup game in November 1982, held at the outdoor Exhibition Stadium. The game, in which the hometown Toronto Argonauts (also known as the Argos) were making their first Grey Cup appearance since 1971, was played in a driving rainstorm that left most of the crowd drenched, leading the media to call it "the Rain Bowl". As many of the seats were completely exposed to the elements, thousands watched the game from the concession section. To make a bad experience even worse, the washrooms overflowed. In attendance that day was Bill Davis, the Premier of Ontario, and the poor conditions were seen by the largest television audience in Canada (over 7.862 million viewers) to that point. The following day, at a rally for the Argos at Toronto City Hall, tens of thousands of people who attended the game began to chant, "We want a dome! We want a dome!"

Seven months later, in June 1983, Davis formally announced a three-person committee would look into the feasibility of building a domed stadium at Exhibition Place. The committee consisted of Paul Godfrey, Larry Grossman and former Ontario Hydro chairman Hugh Macaulay.

The committee examined various projects, including a large indoor stadium at Exhibition Place with an air-supported dome, similar to BC Place in Vancouver. In 1985, an international design competition was launched to design a new stadium, along with selection of a site. Some of the proposed sites included Exhibition Place, Downsview Airport, and York University. The final site was at the base of the CN Tower not far from Union Station, a major railway and transit hub. The Railway Lands were a major Canadian National Railway rail switching yard encompassing the CNR Spadina Roundhouse (the desolate downtown lands were part of a master plan for revitalizing the area, which includes CityPlace). Ultimately, the Robbie/Allen concept won because it provided the largest roof opening of all the finalists, and it was the most technically sound.

The stadium was designed by architect Rod Robbie and structural engineer Michael Allen and was constructed by the EllisDon Construction company of London, Ontario and the Dominion Bridge Company of Lachine, Quebec. The stadium's construction lasted about 2+1⁄2 years, from October 1986 to May 1989. The approximate cost of construction was C$570 million ($1.2 billion in 2023 dollars) which was paid for by the federal government, Ontario provincial government, the City of Toronto, and a large consortium of corporations.

Financing

The stadium was funded by a public–private partnership, with the government paying the largest percentage of the cost. The initial cost of $150 million was greatly underestimated, as the final cost was C$570 million ($1.2 billion in 2023 dollars). Two levels of government (Metro Toronto and provincial) each initially contributed $30 million ($63 million in 2023 dollars). This does not include the value of the land that the stadium sits on, which was owned by the Canada Lands Company (a Crown corporation of Canada) and the City of Toronto and was leased for $900,000 a year through 2088. Canada's three main breweries (Labatt's, Molson, and Carling O'Keefe) and the Toronto Blue Jays each paid $5 million ($10.5 million in 2023 dollars) to help fund the stadium. An additional 26 other Canadian corporations (selected by invitation only) also contributed $5 million, for which they received one of the 161 Skyboxes with four parking spaces (for ten years, with an opportunity for renewal) and a 99-year exclusive option on stadium advertising. The initial cost of leasing a Skybox ranged from $150,000 to $225,000 ($315,040 to $472,560 in 2023 dollars) a year in 1989 – plus the cost of tickets for all events.

The then unusual financing structure created controversy. First of all, there was no public tender for supplies and equipment. Secondly, companies that paid the $5 million fee, such as Coca-Cola, TSN and CIBC, received 100 percent stadium exclusivity, including advertising rights, for the life of their contract that could be extended up to 99 years. Third, the contracts were not put up for bid, meaning there was some doubt the contracts were made at a market rate: Pepsi stated at the time that had it known the terms of the contract it would have paid far more than $5 million for the rights. Local media like NOW Magazine called the amount charged to the companies "scandalously low".

Construction

A cable-stayed bridge was built over the Union Station Rail Corridor next to the stadium. Stadium-goers, pedestrians and cyclists use the bridge, while hot dog stands are set up on it.

Construction of the Ontario Stadium Project was spearheaded by lead contractor EllisDon. Several factors complicated the construction: The lands housed a functioning water pumping station that needed to be relocated, the soil was contaminated from a century of industrial use, railway buildings needed to be torn down or moved, and the site was rich with archaeological finds. One of the most complex issues was moving the John Street pumping station across the street to the south of the stadium. Foundations to the stadium were being poured even as the facility (in the infield area) continued to function, as construction on its new location had yet to be completed.

Because the stadium was the first of its kind in the world, the architects and engineers kept the design simple (by using a sturdy dome shape) and used proven technologies to move the roof. It was important the design would work and be reliable as to avoid the various problems that plagued Montreal's Olympic Stadium. The 31-storey-high roof consists of four panels: one (on the north end) is fixed in place and the other three are moved by electrically driven 'train' engines, that run on high-strength railway rails. The roof, which takes 20 minutes to open, was made out of steel trusses covered by corrugated steel cladding, which in turn is covered by a single-ply PVC membrane.

Because of its location south of the major railway corridor, new pedestrian connections had to be built; the infrastructure was part of the reason for the high cost of the stadium. The SkyWalk is an approximately 500-metre (1,600 ft) enclosed walkway that leads from the base of the CN Tower and via a bridge connects to Union Station (and is part of the Path network). The John Street cable-stayed bridge was built to provide north–south passage over the rail tracks, linking Front Street with the stadium.

Construction at the site, which at one time was south of the shoreline, unearthed over 1,500 artifacts. These included a 200-year-old French cannon used as ballast for a ship, cannonballs, pottery and a telescope. The stadium was completed two months late, having been planned to open for the first regular season game of the 1989 Toronto Blue Jays season; the team played the first two months of its home schedule at Exhibition Stadium that year.

Naming

SkyDome wordmark (1989–2005)

The official name prior to and during construction was the 'Ontario Stadium Project' but was widely referred to in local media as simply 'the Dome' or 'Toronto Domed stadium'. As completion neared the name "SkyDome" was chosen as part of a province-wide "name the stadium" contest in 1987. Sponsored by the Toronto Sun, ballots were offered for people to submit their suggested name, with lifetime seats behind home plate to all events at the stadium (including concerts) as the prize. Over 150,000 entries were received with 12,897 different names. The selection committee narrowed it down to four choices: "Towerdome", "Harbourdome", "SkyDome", and simply "the Dome". The judges' final selection was SkyDome. Premier David Peterson drew the prize-winning entry of Kellie Watson from a lottery barrel containing the over-2,000 entries that proposed "SkyDome". At the press conference announcing the name, Chuck Magwood, president of the Stadium Corporation of Ontario (Stadco), the crown corporation created to run SkyDome, commented: "The sky is a huge part of the whole roof process. The name has a sense of the infinite and that's what this is all about." Kellie Watson received lifetime seating of choice at SkyDome, which is still honoured after the stadium was renamed to Rogers Centre, under new ownership.

Opening

Opening of the 600th McDonald's Canada location at the SkyDome in August 1989 with a performer in a Ronald McDonald costume in attendance; the McDonald's location has since been replaced.

The stadium officially opened on June 3, 1989, and hosted an official grand opening show: "The Opening of SkyDome: A Celebration", broadcast on CBC Television the following evening hosted by Brian Williams. With a crowd of over 50,000 in attendance, the event included appearances by Alan Thicke, Oscar Peterson, Andrea Martin of SCTV, impressionist André-Philippe Gagnon and rock band Glass Tiger. The roof was ceremonially "opened" by Ontario Premier David Peterson (no relation to Oscar) with a laser pen. The roof's opening exposed the crowd to a downpour of rain. Despite audible chants of "close the roof", Magwood insisted the roof remain fully open.

Financial problems and fallout

The stadium became a thorn in the side of David Peterson's Ontario Liberal government for repeated cost overruns. After the Liberals were defeated by the NDP in the 1990 Ontario election, a review by the new Bob Rae government in October 1990 revealed Stadco's debt meant the Dome would have to be booked 600 days a year to turn a profit, almost twice as many days as there are days in a calendar year. The stadium income was only $17 million in its first year of operations, while debt service was $40 million. It was determined the abrupt late inclusion by Stadco of a hotel and health club added an additional $112 million to the cost of the building.

As the province slipped into a recession, Rae appointed University of Toronto professor Bruce Kidd and Canadian Auto Workers President Bob White to the Stadco board to help deal with the stadium's growing debt, but the original $165 million debt had increased to $400 million by 1993. Stadco became a political liability, and in March 1994, the Ontario government paid off all outstanding Stadco debts from the government treasury and sold the stadium for $151 million to a private consortium that included Labatt Breweries, the Blue Jays' owner.

In November 1998, the stadium, which Labatt then owned as 49 percent of total, filed for bankruptcy protection, triggered after disastrous Skybox renewal numbers. Most of the 161 Skybox tenants had signed on for 10-year leases; a marked decrease in interest in the stadium's teams and the construction of the Air Canada Centre, which hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, resulted in few renewals for Skybox leases. That same month, the Blue Jays re-signed for an additional ten years in the facility.

In April 1999, Sportsco International LP bought the stadium out of bankruptcy protection for $80 million.

Purchase and renaming

Rogers Centre wordmark on the exterior of the stadium. The stadium was renamed in 2005.

In November 2004, Rogers Communications, parent company of the Blue Jays, acquired SkyDome, excluding the attached SkyDome hotel, which had been sold to Renaissance for a reported $31 million in 1999, from Sportsco for about $25 million – roughly four percent of the cost of construction.

On February 2, 2005, Ted Rogers, President and CEO of Rogers Communications, announced a three-year corporate contract to change the name of SkyDome to Rogers Centre. The name change remains controversial and is unpopular with many fans, most of whom continue to refer to it as SkyDome in opposition to increased commercialism from the purchase of naming rights. One example is a 25,000-name petition started by TTC bus driver Randy Rajmoolie. A baseball diamond in Toronto's Trinity Bellwoods Park is officially named SkyDome after the stadium's former and popular name.

After the purchase, Rogers refurbished the stadium by, among other things, replacing the Jumbotron with a Daktronics video display, and erecting other new monitors, including several built into the outfield wall. They also installed a new FieldTurf artificial playing surface.

In May 2005, the Toronto Argonauts agreed to three five-year leases at Rogers Centre, which could have seen the Argonauts play out of Rogers Centre up to and including 2019. The team had the option to leave at the end of each of the three lease agreements. Proposed plans to lock Rogers Centre into its baseball configuration permanently in order to install a natural grass surface forced the Argonauts to relocate to BMO Field before the 2016 season.

In November 2005, Rogers Centre received a complete makeover to "open" the 100 Level concourse to the playing field and convert 43 luxury boxes to "party suites". This required some seats to be removed, which decreased overall capacity.

In April 2006, Rogers Centre became one of the first buildings of its size to adopt a completely smoke-free policy in Canada, anticipating an act of provincial legislature that required all Ontario public places to go smoke-free by June 1, 2006.

Alcohol was not available to patrons of Rogers Centre on April 7, 2009, as the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) imposed the first of a three-day alcohol suspension at the stadium for "infractions (that) took place at certain past events", according to the press release.

Major renovation in the 2020s

By 2020, with the Rogers Center over 30 years old and one of the oldest stadiums in MLB, Rogers had begun to explore options for the long-term home of the team. Rogers Communications and Brookfield Asset Management reportedly discussed replacing Rogers Centre with a smaller, baseball-specific stadium plus residential towers, office buildings, retail stores and public space. The new venue would be constructed on the southern end of the current stadium and adjacent parking lots, while the mixed-use development would be built on the northern portion of the site. An alternate site was also been considered for a new baseball park at Quayside in Toronto's east end next to Lake Ontario.

However, the Blue Jays instead decided to undertake a major $400 million renovation of the stadium's interior in two phases, during the 2022 – 2023 and 2023 – 2024 offseasons. The objective of the renovations was to extend the ballpark's shelf life by another 10–15 years, while continuing to plan for a new stadium or more significant rebuild of the Rogers Centre within the next 10 to 12 years.

2022–2023

Interior after the second phase of renovations in 2024

The first phase of the renovations was designed by Populous and involved re-orienting outfield seats to face home plate, raising bullpens, adjusting the outfield dimensions to be asymmetrical, adding social spaces with bars in the outfield sections of the 500 Level (the highest level), and removing some seats to widen all remaining seats, thereby reducing capacity to 41,500 attendees. The 2023 Blue Jays home opener was moved a few days later to accommodate the first phase of the renovation.

2023–2024

The second phase involved re-orienting the infield seats to face home plate, the addition of cupholders to the seats in the 100 Level, as well as reducing the size of foul territory, improving the dugouts for the Blue Jays and their opponents, and the addition of LED backstop advertising to cover the entire backstop, which is much more visible during television broadcasts. Following the second phase, capacity of the stadium was reduced further to 39,150. The 2024 Blue Jays home opener was also moved a few days later to accommodate the second phase of the renovation.

List of improvements

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Significant improvements to the facility since opening in 1989 include:

  • Exterior roof lighting that can be programmed for themes and events.
  • The Blue Jays clubhouse was substantially renovated, including a larger training room, an open concept lounge and personal lockers. In total, the clubhouse expanded from 12,000 to 24,000 square feet (1,100 to 2,200 m).
  • Main level concourse expansion, making the space brighter, more fan-friendly with expanded wheelchair seating.
  • The FieldTurf was upgraded to AstroTurf Gameday Grass for 2010.
  • The main video board was upgraded in 2005, from a JumboTron to a modern Daktronics video board, measuring 33 by 110 feet (10 by 34 m).
  • Jays Shop – Stadium Edition, was expanded to an 8,000-square-foot (740 m) retail space along the main concourse (2007).
  • Two video boards were built into the outfield fence that each measure 10 by 65 feet (3 by 20 m). These boards provide player stats, out-of-town scores and other information related to the game and league.
  • A continuous, ribbon-style video board was installed on the facing of the 300 Level, providing statistics and scores.
  • Installation of 150 new 42-inch (1.07 m) flat-screen video monitors in the main- and second-level concourses, bringing the number of stadium monitors to around 300.
  • Upgrade of the entire field lighting system in a two-month conversion process with all 840 of the 2,000-watt bowl lights replaced.
  • A centre-field porch (later named the WestJet Flight Deck) in the 200 Level was added following the removal of the windows of the former Windows Restaurant (2013, $2 million).
  • The AstroTurf Gameday Grass was upgraded to AstroTurf Gameday Grass 3D Extreme for the 2015 season.
  • A full dirt infield was installed for 2016; for the previous six seasons, Rogers Centre was the only MLB ballpark with sliding pits.
  • A two-year, $10 million roof upgrade, completed for the 2017 season, updated the aging OT network and control system to speed up the opening and closing process, reduce monitoring staff requirements, and added a rooftop weather station to better predict incoming weather systems.
  • A new AstroTurf field was installed prior to the 2021 season. The new turf is attached to the floor, so the stands will no longer be able to be rolled and will be permanently locked into baseball configuration.
  • Further lighting and video board upgrades were made for the 2022 season.
  • For the 2024 The Eras Tour by Taylor Swift, new antennas were installed in the Rogers Centre for 5G Wi-Fi, at a cost of $8 million. Also, the stadium street entrance was renamed “1 Taylor Swift Way” specifically for the concerts.

Stadium features

Several restaurants have views of events. The former Windows restaurant looked onto the playing fieldThe stadium's field without its turf in 2006. The stadium's FieldTurf could be removed for events such as concerts and trade shows.

The venue was the first major team sports stadium in North America with a functional, fully retractable roof (Montreal's Olympic Stadium also had a retractable roof, but due to operational issues, it was replaced with a permanent fixed roof). The roof is composed of four panels and covers an area of 345,000 square feet (32,100 m). The two middle panels slide laterally to stack over the north semi-circular panel, and then the south semi-circular panel rotates around the stadium and nests inside the stack. It takes 20 minutes for the roof to open or close. It is not possible to move the roof in cold weather because the mechanism that closes the roof could fail in cooler weather.

The original AstroTurf installation was replaced with FieldTurf from 2005 to 2010. The FieldTurf took about 40 hours to remove for events such as concerts or trade shows, as it used 1,400 trays that needed to be stacked and transported off the field. Prior to the 2010 baseball season, to reduce the amount of time required to convert the playing field, a new, roll-based version of AstroTurf was installed. Similar to FieldTurf, the installation uses a sand- and rubber-based infill within the synthetic fibres. Rogers Centre is one of five venues in Major League Baseball that use artificial turf (the others are Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, LoanDepot Park in Miami, Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, and Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona) and was the last venue to use "sliding pits" before switching to a full dirt infield for the 2016 baseball season. Before the Argonauts moved out, the pitcher's mound could be lowered or raised hydraulically when converting from baseball to football (or vice versa).

The use of natural grass was long thought to be unfeasible since the stadium was designed as a closed structure with a roof that opens, and as such, the interior was not intended or built to deal with weather, including low temperatures and drainage. As of the 2020 season, they are one of two teams to have never played a home game on grass at their main stadium (the Tampa Bay Rays played some home games in 2007 and 2008 at Champion Stadium in Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida, and during the 2020 and much of the 2021 seasons, due to travel restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Toronto Blue Jays were playing most of their home games at their AAA affiliate's home stadium of Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York with the Blue Jays also playing home games in TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, during the first two months of the 2021 season). Along with Tropicana Field, the Rogers Centre warning track consists of brown turf, which does not provide any tactile differences from the rest of the field.

However, the Blue Jays have long explored the possibility of converting the Rogers Centre to a natural grass surface, and plans were examined in order to install a grass field by 2018 to allow enough time for research and growing of the sod. Installing grass would require digging up the floor, adding a drainage system, and installing 30 cm (1 ft) of dirt. The stadium would need to be permanently locked into its baseball configuration; the lower stands, which roll into position for football, would be permanently fixed in position for baseball. The plan became more definite when Rogers renewed the Argonauts' lease through 2017, but ruled out any further extensions; in May 2015, it was announced the Argonauts would move to BMO Field for the 2016 season. The Blue Jays subsequently confirmed the Argonauts' early departure would not accelerate their own plans to install grass in 2018, though it did allow for a dirt infield to be installed for the 2016 season. However, it does not appear likely the field will be converted to natural grass, as no further announcements for replacing the surface have been made since, and the field continues to retain its artificial surface.

There are a total of 5,700 club seats and 161 luxury suites at the Rogers Centre. The complex had a Hard Rock Café restaurant until December 2009 when the restaurant closed after its lease expired. The Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel is also within Rogers Centre with 70 rooms, and a restaurant and bar called the Sportsnet Grill overlooks the field. The Blue Jays in partnership with theScore Bet announced plans in April 2022 to create a new premium branded flagship sports bar and restaurant that would be open 365 days a year at the Rogers Centre and provide sports betting lines, including for daily fantasy sports.

Over $5 million of artwork was commissioned in 1989 ($10.5 million in 2023 dollars):

The Audience is a depiction of larger-than-life fans by Michael Snow above the northeast (shown) and northwest entrances of Rogers Centre
  • The Audience – by Michael Snow is a collection of larger-than-life depictions of fans above the northeast and northwest entrances. Painted gold, the sculptures show fans in various acts of celebration.
  • A Tribute to Baseball – by Lutz Haufschild, above the Southeast and Southwest entrances of Gate 5.
  • The Art of the Possible – by Mimi Gellman, inside along the north side of the concourse on the 100 Level. The glass and steel sculpture incorporates the signatures of 2,000 builders of SkyDome, and is a tribute to their work. Some of the artifacts found during excavation, such as musket balls and pottery, have also been included. The brightly illuminated sculpture became an issue to baseball players when the stadium first opened. The bright lights were considered a distraction to batters.
  • Salmon Run – by Susan Schelle, outside by the Southeast entrance in Bobbie Rosenfeld Park; it is a large fountain with various stainless steel salmon cutouts.
  • Spiral Fountain – by Judith Schwarz.

The stadium's parking lot is located under the stadium itself. The underground parking lot is divided into four sections (Sun, Moon, Star, and Cloud) and the ramps within the stadium correspond to these sections, while the fifth section, the Hotel Zone, being the northernmost section, is reserved for hotel uses by the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel directly above this section.

Seating capacity

Baseball
Years Capacity
1989–1998 50,516
1999–2002 45,100
2003–2004 50,516
2005–2006 50,598
2007 48,900
2008–2010 49,539
2011–2012 49,260
2013–2022 49,282
2023 41,500
2024–present 39,150
Football
Capacity
53,506
Panorama of the interior seating and field for Rogers Centre in 2006

Rogers Centre video board

The Rogers Centre video board is 33 feet (10 m) high and 110 feet (34 m) across. The panel is made up of modular LED units that can be replaced unit by unit, and can be repaired immediately should it be damaged during an event. Originally, this screen was a Sony Jumbotron, which was the largest in North America at the time of the stadium's opening, but it has since been replaced a few times. There are also two ribbon boards made up of LED that run along the East and West sides of the stadium interior. Each board is 434 feet (132 m) long by 3.5 feet (1.1 m) high. In addition, two video boards make up parts of the left and right outfield walls while the stadium is in baseball configuration. These are 65 feet (20 m) wide by nearly 10 feet (3.0 m) high.

The main video board was upgraded again for the 2022 Blue Jays season, this time by using more modern technology and adding four "wings", two on each side of the central part of the main video board with the lower wings on each side being wider, making the main video board no longer rectangular. This was to accommodate the windows of the hotel behind the main video board.

The video board and the stadium played host to several serial television events, including the series finales for Cheers and Star Trek: The Next Generation, along with live coverage of the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997.

Stadium usage

Baseball

The 2016 American League Wild Card Game held at the Rogers Centre

The Blue Jays have won two World Series championships at Rogers Centre, hosting Games 3, 4, and 5 of the 1992 World Series and Games 1, 2, and 6 of the 1993 World Series at the stadium, then known as SkyDome, with Game 3 of the 1992 series the first World Series game ever played in Canada. The stadium also hosted the 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The 1991 American League Championship Series was the first Major League Baseball playoff series played entirely indoors with the first two games at the Metrodome in Minneapolis and the final three at SkyDome.

Games in the first round of the 2009 World Baseball Classic were played at the Rogers Centre.

Basketball

Besides baseball, Rogers Centre was the original home of the National Basketball Association's Toronto Raptors, who played at the venue from November 1995 to February 1999, while the Air Canada Centre (later renamed Scotiabank Arena) was being planned and built. It proved to be somewhat problematic as a basketball venue, even considering it was only a temporary facility. For instance, many seats theoretically in line with the court were so far away that fans needed binoculars to see the action. Other seats were so badly obstructed that fans sitting there could only watch the game on the replay boards. For most games, Rogers Centre seated 22,900 people. However, the Raptors sometimes opened the 500 Level, which is the stadium's uppermost level, when popular opponents came to town, such as the Chicago Bulls when Michael Jordan was a member of the team, expanding capacity to 29,000 and held over 36,000 attendees at one point.

Football

The Rogers Centre's field arranged for Canadian football with some seats in the 500 Level closed off and replaced with large banners

Rogers Centre hosted Canadian football from opening in 1989 to 2015, as the Argonauts moved to BMO Field in 2016. In November 2007, it hosted the 95th Grey Cup, its first since 1992 and third all-time. It was the 56th Grey Cup hosted by the city of Toronto since the championship's inception in 1909.

From 1989 to 2003, SkyDome hosted the Vanier Cup championship of Canadian Interuniversity Sport (later renamed U Sports in 2016) football.

In 1994, then-part owner of SkyDome Labatt considered purchasing a National Football League and a Major League Soccer team to play at the stadium.

The International Bowl, an NCAA college football game between two American schools – one from the Big East Conference and one from the Mid-American Conference – has been played at Rogers Centre four times. The Big East school has won all four bowl games. On January 6, 2007, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats defeated the Western Michigan University Broncos, 27–24. The Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University won the second bowl game in the series on January 5, 2008, by beating the Cardinals of Ball State University, 52–30. The Bulls of the University at Buffalo, a school within a ninety-minute drive of Rogers Centre, lost the third International Bowl to the University of Connecticut Huskies, 38–20. On January 2, 2010, the University of South Florida Bulls beat the Huskies of Northern Illinois University, 27–3.

Rogers Centre was also the venue for the 43rd Vanier Cup on Friday, November 23, 2007, just two days before Grey Cup Sunday. It was the 16th Vanier Cup hosted at the venue, returning after a three-year absence in which it was hosted by Hamilton, Ontario (2004 and 2005) and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (2006). It was the 40th Vanier Cup hosted by Toronto since that championship's inception in 1965.

NFL

See also: National Football League in Toronto

The National Football League's Buffalo Bills announced its intentions to play five "home" games (and three pre-season games) in Rogers Centre in October 2007, so beginning the Bills Toronto Series; the first of these regular-season games took place on December 7 of the 2008 season versus the Miami Dolphins. It marked the first time an NFL team has established a "home" stadium outside the United States for regular-season games. The Bills played a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2008; the Toronto Series was played every year through the 2013 season.

Soccer

A soccer match between Serbia and Italy in 2005

From the mid-2000s, soccer matches have been regularly held in SkyDome / Rogers Centre; they had been rarely played at the venue when its AstroTurf surface had been in place. Examples of soccer (association football) matches:

  • On May 25, 2010, the stadium hosted a friendly soccer match between Italy's ACF Fiorentina and Juventus FC with Fiorentina winning 1–0.
  • On July 16, 2010, the stadium hosted a friendly soccer match between England's Manchester United F.C. and Scotland's Celtic F.C. Manchester United F.C. defeated Celtic F.C. with a score of 3–1. The match was played on a temporary grass surface harvested from Burford, Ontario and transported via 18 tractor-trailers.
  • On July 21, 2012, the stadium hosted the friendly between Toronto FC and Liverpool F.C., a match that finished in a 1–1 draw.
  • On November 19, 2013, Rogers Centre hosted a friendly soccer match between Brazil and Chile, a match that finished in a 2–1 victory for the Brazilian side.
Date Winning Team Result Losing Team Competition Spectators
January 24, 1995 Denmark League XI 1–0  Canada SkyDome Cup 10,024
January 26, 1995  Canada 1–1  Portugal 13,658
January 29, 1995  Portugal 1–0 Denmark League XI 23,723
July 30, 2004 Portugal FC Porto 1–0 England Liverpool Club Friendly 40,078
July 31, 2004 Italy Roma 1–0 Scotland Celtic Club Friendly 50,168
June 8, 2005  Serbia and Montenegro 1–1  Italy International Friendly 22,138
July 12, 2005 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb 1–0 Scotland Rangers Club Friendly 18,159
July 7, 2006  United States 2–1  Canada International U20 Friendly 5,325
May 25, 2010 Italy ACF Fiorentina 1–0 Italy Juventus Club Friendly 21,122
July 16, 2010 England Manchester United 3–1 Scotland Celtic Club Friendly 39,193
August 3, 2010 Greece Panathinaikos 3–2 Italy Inter Milan Club Friendly 17,169
March 7, 2012 Canada Toronto FC 2–2 United States Los Angeles Galaxy CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals 47,658
July 21, 2012 Canada Toronto FC 1–1 England Liverpool Club Friendly 33,087
March 9, 2013 Canada Toronto FC 2–1 United States Sporting Kansas City MLS Regular Season 25,991
November 19, 2013  Brazil 2–1  Chile International Friendly 38,154

Motorsports

Having originated in 1980 at Exhibition Stadium, the Toronto Supercross moved to the Rogers Centre upon its opening in 1989. The event was held annually through 1996 before going on hiatus. It was revived as a part of the FIM World Supercross GP series in 2004 and joined the AMA Supercross Championship after the two series fully merged in 2008. The event ran until 2014 and returned for 2016 and 2017. Then, on January 16, 1993, the stadium hosted the Skydome Grand Prix featuring the USAC National Midget Car Series. The night of racing featured NASCAR stars John Andretti, Kenny Irwin Jr., Tony Stewart and Indianapolis 500 winner Tom Sneva racing on an 1/6 mile oval track and was broadcast across Canada on TSN.

Other sports

UFC 129 was held at the Rogers Centre in April 2011

Rogers Centre has also hosted exhibition cricket, gaelic football, hurling, Australian rules football and tennis.

It hosted the 1993 IAAF World Indoor Track and Field Championships.

On May 31, 1997, the venue hosted a post-Olympic track and field event that pitted Olympic track champions Donovan Bailey and Michael Johnson, in a 150 m race billed as a competition for the title of the "World's Fastest Man", given media disputes over that title during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Bailey won the race, completing it in a time of 15 seconds and winning the $1.5 million prize. Johnson pulled up lame at the 110 m mark claiming a quadriceps injury.

Rogers Centre is the site of several major high school and collegiate sporting competitions, such as the Prentice Cup for baseball. Since 2008, the Rogers Centre is the host of the Greater Toronto high schools' Metro Bowl. On April 30, 2011, UFC 129 was hosted at Rogers Centre, in the first major mixed martial arts event to ever be held in Ontario after the province lifted a ban on prizefighting. Due to overwhelming demand for tickets (with the initial slate of 42,000 selling in around half an hour), the UFC and Rogers Centre reconfigured the event for 55,000 tickets. The event broke a UFC attendance record set at UFC 124 in Montreal, and also set records for the largest single-day gate revenue in both UFC (surpassing UFC 66 by at least double) and Rogers Centre history.

For the 2015 Pan American Games, the Rogers Centre was used for the opening and closing ceremonies.

Professional wrestling

WrestleMania X8 at the stadium in 2002

WWE has hosted WrestleMania at Rogers Centre twice. WrestleMania VI was held on April 1, 1990, with the main event being a title vs title match which saw the WWF Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior defeat the WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan, set the SkyDome attendance record of 67,678. The attendance record was broken when 68,237 attended WrestleMania X8 on March 17, 2002, the main event seeing Triple H win the Undisputed WWF Championship from Canadian Chris Jericho.

In February 1999, the stadium hosted a taping for the February 13, 1999, episode of Raw (a special Saturday-night airing of Raw due to USA Network's coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show), featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin being defeated by Mr. McMahon in a gauntlet match against The Corporation. It had the largest crowd in Raw history, with a reported attendance of 41,432.

On March 1, 2025, WWE will return to the Rogers Centre for the first time since WrestleMania X8 to host their annual Elimination Chamber premium live event.

Music concerts

Preparations taking place at the Rogers Centre before a U2 concert

The stadium has several concert configurations, including smaller Theatre (capacity 5,000 to 7,000) and Concert Hall (formerly SkyTent; capacity 10,000 to 25,000). Due to the stadium's design and building materials, the acoustics are poor, and the loudness/quality can vary greatly around the stadium. Its popularity with artists and fans has diminished over the years, and the Scotiabank Arena now hosts most major concerts. The SkyTent, a group of acoustical curtain sails hoisted on rigging above the floor, helps reduce sound distortion and improve sound quality by dampening reverberations around the stadium.

Soon after its opening, the stadium became a popular venue for large-scale rock concerts and is the largest indoor concert venue in Toronto. Artists have included:

Other uses

  • Rogers Centre contains 143,000 sq ft (13,300 m) of exhibition space, allowing it to host a variety of events year-round.
  • In addition to being a venue that hosts sports, concerts and other events, the Rogers Centre also houses the head offices of a number of businesses. The Toronto Blue Jays have its office headquarters in the building and until 2008, the Toronto Argonauts did as well. It is also the home of the head offices of Ticketmaster Canada and Zuffa Canada, the former also having the main Ticketmaster outlet (ticket centre) for eastern Canada, at the south end of the building beside Gate 9.
  • In addition, the building contains the Toronto Renaissance Hotel, a Premier Fitness/Health Club, (formerly) a Hard Rock Cafe (now John Street Terrace), and (formerly) Windows Restaurant (now WestJet Flight Deck). From 2006 until its closure in 2009, the Hard Rock Cafe only opened when there was a performance in the building. On non-event days, there are daily tours of the Rogers Centre.

Attendance records

Timeline

Scene from the 2015 Pan American Games closing ceremony, held at the Rogers Centre
  • 2015 – July 26 – Rogers Centre holds the closing ceremony of the 2015 Pan American Games.
  • 2015 - November 6 - The last Argonauts game hosted at Rogers Centre before the team's move to BMO Field in the next season. The Argonauts won against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with a score of 21–11.
  • 2016 – October 4 – Rogers Centre opens its roof for the first time in Blue Jays postseason history during the American League Wild Card Game against the Baltimore Orioles.
  • 2018 – April 16 – A scheduled Blue Jays' game against the Kansas City Royals is cancelled due to the retractable roof having a hole as a result of the mid-April 2018 ice storm.
  • 2018 – April 17 – The third doubleheader in Blue Jays history at Rogers Centre and the Blue Jays would remain unbeaten in doubleheaders at Rogers Centre as they beat Royals 11–3 in Game 1 and 5–4 in Game 2.
  • 2020–21 – The Blue Jays are forced to relocate their home games to Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York and TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida on a temporary basis for the 2020 season and the start of the following season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the Canada–United States border.
  • 2021 – July 30 – The first Blue Jays game back at Rogers Centre since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic was against the Kansas City Royals.
  • 2022 – July - The Blue Jays unveil plans for a major renovation of the Rogers Centre, with phase 1 focusing on outfield improvements.
  • 2023 – July - Phase 2 of the Rogers Centre renovation plans are unveiled.
  • 2024 – April - The two offseason renovations are completed, and the stadium was officially re-opened.

Facts and figures

Baseball firsts

Opening day (June 5, 1989)

Reference: Retrosheet: Skydome firsts

Statistic Details
Score Milwaukee Brewers 5, Toronto Blue Jays 3
Umpires Rocky Roe (home)
Mike Reilly (first base)
Rich Garcia (second base)
Dale Scott (third base)
Managers Cito Gaston (Blue Jays)
Tom Trebelhorn (Brewers)
Starting pitchers Jimmy Key (Blue Jays)
Don August (Brewers)
Attendance 48,378

Batting

Statistic Details
Batter Paul Molitor, Brewers
Blue Jays Batter Junior Félix
Hit Paul Molitor, Brewers (double)
Run Paul Molitor, Brewers
Blue Jays Run George Bell
RBI Gary Sheffield, Brewers
Blue Jays RBI Fred McGriff
Single Kelly Gruber, Blue Jays
Double Paul Molitor, Brewers
Triple Jay Buhner, Mariners (June 18, 1989)
Home run Fred McGriff, Blue Jays (June 5, 1989)
Grand slam Terry Steinbach, Athletics (July 16, 1989)
Blue Jays grand slam Glenallen Hill (September 1, 1989)
Inside-the-park home run Rance Mulliniks, Blue Jays (July 11, 1991)
Stolen base Fred McGriff, Blue Jays (June 5, 1989)
Sacrifice hit Robin Yount, Brewers (June 5, 1989)
Sacrifice fly Robin Yount, Brewers (June 5, 1989)
Cycle George Brett, Royals (July 25, 1990)
Blue Jays cycle Jeff Frye (August 17, 2001)

Pitching

Statistic Details
Win Don August
Blue Jays Win John Cerutti (June 7, 1989)
Loss Jimmy Key
Opposing Loss Chris Bosio, Brewers (June 7, 1989)
Shutout Bert Blyleven, Angels (July 18, 1989)
Blue Jays Shutout John Cerutti (August 2, 1989)
Save Dan Plesac, Brewers (June 5, 1989)
Blue Jays Save David Wells (June 9, 1989)
Hit by pitch Tony Fossas hit Lloyd Moseby, Brewers (June 7, 1989)
Wild pitch Jimmy Key, Blue Jays (June 5, 1989)
Balk Tony Fossas, Brewers (June 7, 1989)
No-hitter Dave Stewart, Athletics (June 29, 1990)

Stadium-related

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Left: Rogers Centre with roof closed
Right: Rogers Centre with roof opened
The field-level seating rotates on tracks to make the stadium easier to reconfigure
  • The stadium roof had a patent, which prevented its design from being easily copied: U.S. Patent #4676033. The patent was filed on May 1, 1986, and published June 30, 1987, to dome designers, architect Rod Robbie and structural engineer Michael Allen. The patent expired in 2006.
  • The original mascot of the stadium was a turtle by the name of Domer. Domer has not been widely used since the mid-1990s, although he did make a return on June 6, 2014, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rogers Centre.
  • When the retractable roof is open, people standing on the observation deck of the nearby CN Tower can look down on the field.
  • Over 50 million people have visited SkyDome/Rogers Centre.
  • When the roof is open, 91 percent of the seats and 100 percent of the field is open to the sky, covering an area of 3.2 hectares (7.9 acres).
  • The roof weighs 10,000 tonnes (11,000 short tons) and is held together by 250,000 bolts.
  • The stadium's inward-looking hotel rooms have regular two-way windows, yielding instances of what some could consider indecent exposure and leading to nicknames such as "SexDome" and "Exhibitionist Stadium". When SkyDome first opened, a couple engaging in sexual intercourse was televised on the scoreboard Jumbotron during a baseball game, thanks to illumination from stadium lighting despite the room's lights being off. Days later, a man was caught masturbating during a game in full view of the packed stands. The man, later tracked down by a Sports Illustrated reporter, calmly said, "I thought they were one-way windows." Patrons now have to sign contracts stipulating they will not perform any lewd acts within view of the stadium. The last reported such instance occurred in 1996. Occasionally, broadcasts will zoom into humorous instances from these hotel rooms, such as a pillow fight during the 1992 World Series.
  • When the stadium first opened, the Toronto Transit Commission was worried about the challenge of moving the large crowds. As a way to streamline the entry to the subway and to encourage public transit use to the stadium, all tickets for the first 30 days also worked as a Metropass, which was the commission's monthly pass.
  • The stadium corporation has been requested to help in the planning of other venues from the U.S., the Netherlands, England, Australia, New Zealand, to Singapore, China and Germany (Source: Rogers Centre Press release).
  • It was the most expensive stadium in both the Canadian Football League and Major League Baseball, constructed at a price of C$570 million (C$1.2 billion in 2023 dollars). This record was passed by the New Yankee Stadium at a cost of US$1.5 billion. If Montreal's Olympic Stadium (which was formerly the home field of the Expos, only used for CFL playoff games since the late 2000s and MLS playoff games since the mid-2010s) were counted, it would take the title, with a 1976 cost of C$1.6 billion (C$3.36 billion in 2023 dollars).
  • Because of the orientation of the baseball playing field at Rogers Centre, when a player is at bat, the direction he is facing looks farther to the west than at any other Major League Baseball park.
  • Rogers Centre has hosted regular-season games of five of the six major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada throughout the stadium's history; all but a National Hockey League (NHL) game, despite the Toronto Maple Leafs being in the NHL.

In popular culture

  • The stadium is the setting of the climax in the 2022 Pixar animated film Turning Red, in which the fictional boy band 4*Town performs a large-scale concert during which the stadium is partially destroyed. As the Toronto-set film's time period is set in 2002, the stadium is referred to by its original SkyDome name.
  • The exterior part of the venue has been used in M. Night Shyamalan's 2024 film, Trap, which was renamed "Tanaka Arena" for the story's outline, hosting a Lady Raven concert, who is the movie's popstar.

Gallery

  • Interior of the stadium in 2005. Rogers refurbished several parts of the stadium after its acquisition, including replacing the Jumbotron with a Daktronics video display. Interior of the stadium in 2005. Rogers refurbished several parts of the stadium after its acquisition, including replacing the Jumbotron with a Daktronics video display.
  • The roof of the Rogers Centre illuminated during the night in 2008. The roof of the Rogers Centre illuminated during the night in 2008.
  • Exterior entrance to one of the two Jays Shop locations at Rogers Centre. Exterior entrance to one of the two Jays Shop locations at Rogers Centre.
  • The stadium's video board in 2018, depicting the two Commissioner's Trophies won by the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993 The stadium's video board in 2018, depicting the two Commissioner's Trophies won by the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993
  • A soccer match between Toronto FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012 A soccer match between Toronto FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012
  • The 12th International Indian Film Academy Awards held at the Rogers Centre in June 2011 The 12th International Indian Film Academy Awards held at the Rogers Centre in June 2011
  • Members of the Toronto Argonauts run onto the field of the Rogers Centre, after winning the 100th Grey Cup in 2012 Members of the Toronto Argonauts run onto the field of the Rogers Centre, after winning the 100th Grey Cup in 2012
  • Fireworks at the stadium after the Toronto Blue Jays win the 1993 World Series Fireworks at the stadium after the Toronto Blue Jays win the 1993 World Series
  • Scene from the 95th Grey Cup in 2007, the first Grey Cup to be held in the city since 1992 Scene from the 95th Grey Cup in 2007, the first Grey Cup to be held in the city since 1992
  • Marriott hotel connected to the stadium Marriott hotel connected to the stadium

See also

Portals:

References

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Notes

  1. One of the more notable concerts, as shown in the documentary Truth or Dare. The touring show had become extremely controversial due to the risqué visuals and performances. When the concert arrived in Toronto, police were alerted that the show might violate local obscenity laws. The police were on site for the concert and threatened charges without changes. The show went on as planned, however, without any legal action taken.

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