RCA Dome
The air-supported home of the Colts that stood for 24 seasons before its implosion in 2008.
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The RCA Dome, originally known as the Hoosier Dome, stood as a unique air-supported structure in Indianapolis for 24 seasons, serving as the home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts from 1984 to 2007. Completed at a cost of $77.5 million with funding split between private and public sources, it was built to lure an NFL franchise to the city. The stadium featured a teflon-coated fiberglass roof weighing 257 short tons, held up entirely by internal air pressure. Before its demolition in December 2008 to expand the Indiana Convention Center, it hosted historic moments ranging from WrestleMania VIII to four NCAA Men's Final Fours.
- Opening Year
- 1984
- Final Season
- 2007
- Demolition Date
- December 20, 2008
- Capacity
- 56,127
- Surface Type
- AstroTurf (replaced by FieldTurf in 2005)
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Construction on the Hoosier Dome began in May 1982, designed by engineers David Geiger and Walter Bird to resemble the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The stadium officially opened on August 11, 1984, with a sellout crowd watching the Colts defeat the New York Giants in a preseason game. Originally named the Hoosier Dome, it was renamed the RCA Dome in 1994 after RCA paid $10 million for 10 years of naming rights. The venue seated 56,127 for football, the smallest capacity in the NFL at the time, though modifications in 1999 expanded suites and club seating to raise the maximum to 60,272. The playing surface was originally AstroTurf until it was replaced with FieldTurf in 2005.
In Their Own Story
The Dome witnessed its largest crowd of 62,167 for WrestleMania VIII in 1992, but its most dramatic football moments came during the playoffs. In the 2006 AFC Championship Game, the Colts erased a 21–3 deficit to defeat the New England Patriots 38–34, marking the only time an AFC Championship was hosted at the venue. Conversely, the Dome saw heartbreaking losses in three Divisional Round games, including the 2005 upset where the heavily favored Colts lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21–18 after Mike Vanderjagt missed a game-tying field goal following a Jerome Bettis fumble recovery by Nick Harper. The stadium's final football game was a 28–24 loss to the San Diego Chargers in the 2007 Divisional Round, concluding its era before the team moved to Lucas Oil Stadium.
Reader's Guide
Visiting the RCA Dome required awareness of the unique air-supported architecture; warning signs cautioned patrons about high winds at the doors due to the building's design. The ceiling height varied by up to 5 feet as materials expanded and contracted with weather changes, reaching a maximum of 193 feet. Beyond football, the venue hosted the 1985 NBA All-Star Game, drawing an NBA-record crowd of 43,146, and four Men's Final Fours (1991, 1997, 2000, 2006). It also served as a major music venue for acts like Pink Floyd and the Monsters of Rock Festival in 1988. The NFL Scouting Combine was held here annually until the stadium's closure.
Did You Know?
- The roof weighed 257 short tons and was held up entirely by air pressure inside the building.
- The stadium hosted an NBA-record crowd of 43,146 for the 1985 NBA All-Star Game.
- On September 24, 2008, the roof deflation took approximately 35 minutes before the implosion on December 20.
- A nonprofit called People for Urban Progress rescued 13 acres of the Dome's roof to recycle into art and community structures.
- The Dome hosted the only AFC Championship Game in its history during the 2006 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original name and purpose of the RCA Dome?
Originally named the Hoosier Dome, this facility opened in 1984 with the specific goal of luring an NFL franchise to Indianapolis. It successfully became the home of the Colts for twenty-four consecutive seasons until Lucas Oil Stadium replaced it.
How much did construction cost and who paid for it?
The stadium was completed at a total expense of $77.5 million, funded through a combination of private and public sources. This investment was deemed necessary to secure the team's relocation from Baltimore to Indiana.
What made the roof structure unique compared to other stadiums?
It featured a teflon-coated fiberglass roof weighing 257 short tons that relied entirely on internal air pressure for support. This innovative design eliminated the need for vertical columns obstructing fan views within the bowl.
When did the stadium close and how was it removed?
After its final season in 2007, the structure stood empty until its controlled implosion on December 20, 2008. This demolition cleared the land to allow for the expansion of the nearby Indiana Convention Center.
What major events were hosted inside besides football games?
Beyond regular season matches, the venue famously hosted professional wrestling's WrestleMania VIII and other large-scale concerts. Its AstroTurf surface was later replaced by FieldTurf in 2005 to improve player safety near the end of its life.