Kingdome

The Kingdome was a large covered sports venue in Seattle's Industrial District built during the 1970s with a distinctive concrete dome roof that served the city for approximately 25 years. From a distance, its rounded form and solid gray surface resembled an enormous mushroom or overturned bowl visible across the waterfront.

Construction began only after years of heated debate and two failed votes, with a major accident in 1973 involving steel work causing further delays. The building opened in 1976 and was demolished through a controlled explosion in March 2000 watched by thousands of spectators.

The venue hosted major sporting events that drew fans from across the region to cheer for their favorite teams. These gatherings became part of Seattle's identity and left lasting memories for generations of local sports enthusiasts.

The site sits near other sports facilities and can be reached on foot or by car, though the building itself no longer exists after the turn of the century. Visitors can picture how the stadium once looked by viewing historical photos and information boards in the surrounding area.

In 1994, four heavy ceiling tiles fell into empty seats before a baseball game, which fortunately injured no one but raised serious concerns about roof safety. The repairs that followed and the eventual demolition meant the city did not finish paying off the final debt until 2015.

Location: Seattle

Inception: March 27, 1976

Architects: NBBJ

Official opening: March 27, 1976

Capacity: 59166

GPS coordinates: 47.59556,-122.33306

Latest update: December 8, 2025 08:20