MINNEAPOLIS - Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (64,172)

[Schnauzer 1]

The venerable Metrodome… the last of the U.S. multi-purpose stadiums. At one time or another, it served as the home field/court for the Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Gophers football (NCAA), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), and a wide variety of other special events. It has hosted the NCAA final four, the Super Bowl, the MLB all-star game, the World Series, and a host of other less glamorous events such as tractor pulls, dirt bike races, trade shows, religious rallies, etc. etc. Today, it only serves as host for the Minnesota Vikings as the Minnesota Timberwolves (Target Center), University of Minnesota (TCF Bank Stadium) and the Minnesota Twins (Target Field) have moved on. The sunset of the Metrodome itself may be near as the Vikings inch ever closer to their own new stadium reality. If/when successful, the Vikings plan to tear down the Metrodome and build their own retractable roof stadium in its place.

As the last of the multi-purpose stadiums, the Metrodome was already somewhat obsolete the day it was finished (opened in 1982). It has often been criticized (especially as a baseball venue) for its sterile environment and “plastic” interior. Although much of that criticism is valid, the Metrodome will always be remembered for the variety of historic sporting events that took place under its roof. Despite its shortcomings, the Metrodome was built under budget and has long ‘paid for itself’ as a stadium home for many of the large sporting events of the upper Midwest.

[eMKay]

It's still an adequate NFL stadium, I'd rather see it renovated than abandoned. It was terrible for baseball.

[KingmanIII]

Originally Posted by eMKay

It's still an adequate NFL stadium, I'd rather see it renovated than abandoned. It was terrible for baseball.

It was the only thing that sucked about my trip to the Twin Cities in July of '99.

[Alx-D]

Originally Posted by eMKay

It's still an adequate NFL stadium, I'd rather see it renovated than abandoned. It was terrible for baseball.

It could have been worse. Check out BC Place's baseball configuration. These are almost identical stadiums.

[KingmanIII]

which, of course, is being renovated...take a hint, Zygi...

[brewerfan386]

Since last November the stadium has been called, Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
image hosted on flickr

(courtesy of "Jeff Cheah". link)

image hosted on flickr

(courtesy of "heidihvt". link)

[Benn]

$400-500 million and it could be a retractable roof facility with all the bells and whistles to be up to date for the next 30 years. Sounds a whole lot smarter than dropping $1 billion on a new one in the same spot.

[weava]

Originally Posted by Schnauzer 1

The venerable Metrodome… the last of the U.S. multi-purpose stadiums.

Miami, Oakland, Syracuse....plus RFK, astrodome and silverdomes haven't been torn down I don't believe so its not the last multi purpose stadium. Even the superdome can fit a baseball field but they have never had a MLB team in N.O.

[Schnauzer 1]

Originally Posted by weava

Miami, Oakland, Syracuse....plus RFK, astrodome and silverdomes haven't been torn down I don't believe so its not the last multi purpose stadium. Even the superdome can fit a baseball field but they have never had a MLB team in N.O.

When I was referring to the Metrodome being the "last of the multi-purpose" stadiums, I was referring to how/when it was built. I could have done a better job of clarifying that. I wasn't referring to college facilities, international facilities, basketball/hockey arenas, etc. etc. I also wasn't referring to other stadiums that predate it and are still in use as multipurpose stadiums (such as Oakland). I was referring to the long line of stadiums built to host NFL and MLB teams at the same time. The Metrodome was the last stadium built with this intention – hence the last of the multi-purpose stadiums.

Most of the stadiums you mention pre-date the Metrodome. I wasn't referring to the Metrodome as the last stadium "capable" of hosting multiple tenants or the last stadium used for multi-purpose. Technically, you could argue that ANY stadium is capable of hosting multiple purposes. The one possible exception to my definition of “last multi-purpose stadium” would be Joe Robbie (now Sun Life Stadium). Although it was built to be capable of hosting baseball, there was no MLB tenant to play there when it was built and when the Marlins did form, the stadium had to undergo renovations to be able to host MLB. It was always intended as a football-first facility. Roger’s center is another “gray area” in terms of my comment. It was built as a multi-purpose stadium after the Metrodome but one would have to equate the CFL Argonauts with an NFL team to overturn the spirit of my definition.

The Metrodome was built from the ground up to host NFL and MLB from day one. To clarify my original point… It was the last stadium BUILT in the long line of multi-purpose stadiums such as Three Rivers, (original) Busch, Veteran’s, Kingdome, Astrodome, etc.

All professional sports stadiums built in the US after the Metrodome were focused on hosting one sport or the other, not both. The Metrodome turned out to be the last multi-purpose stadium built in the US. Yes, I realize that nearly every stadium hosts tractor pulls, concerts, or even in the case of some baseball parks… college football bowl games. None of that is in the spirit of my comment.

I hope this helps to clarify the comment.

[weava]

Miami stadium was specifically designed to also host a MLB expansion team which they were awarded only 3 years after the stadium opened so it counts in my eyes

[brewerfan386]

After a Twins game (Opening Day 2009)

(courtesy of Rick Prescott)

[Jim856796]

Should have renamed the stadium after Mary Tyler Moore (Mary Tyler Moore Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome).

The Minnesota Twins have left the stadium, so it may be time to permanently lock the stadium in its football configuration.

[mrakbaseball]

Originally Posted by Jim856796

The Minnesota Twins have left the stadium, so it may be time to permanently lock the stadium in its football configuration.

I believe the University of Minnesota baseball team still plays games there.

[mrakbaseball]

...........

[Benn]

Doesn't make much difference, the seats just fold up on one sideline, so unless the wanted to move the locker rooms, or a add a field level club under permanent stands they really don't need to do anything with the seating.

[Anubis2051]

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

[Jericho-79]

I've always been wondering.

Which had the highest dome?

Metrodome? RCA Dome? Or the old BC Place?

[Marckymarc]

Adolph Hitler would have loved this place.

[canadiancreed]

Originally Posted by Jericho-79

I've always been wondering.

Which had the highest dome?

Metrodome? RCA Dome? Or the old BC Place?

Are they higher then 31 stories? Think that's what the skydome is (unless retractable arent' included.)

[Dallas boi]

Originally Posted by Jericho-79

I've always been wondering.

Which had the highest dome?

Metrodome? RCA Dome? Or the old BC Place?

Cowboys Stadium is the Largest Domed stadium in the World!


Here's a picture of the dome