The Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome, is the world’s first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, located in Houston, Texas. It was financed and assisted in development by Roy Hofheinz, mayor of Houston and known for pioneering modern stadiums. Construction on the stadium began in 1963, more than a year after the ceremonial groundbreaking, and it officially opened in 1965. It served as home to the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball from 1965 until 1999. It was named the Harris County Domed Stadium and was nicknamed the “Eighth Wonder of the World”.
After the original natural grass playing surface died, the Astrodome became the first major sports venue to install artificial turf in 1966, which became known as AstroTurf. In another technological first, the Astrodome featured the “Astrolite”, which was the first animated scoreboard.
Capacity: 70,000
Opened: December 17, 1965
Demolished: December 8, 2013 (partial)
Location: 8400 Kirby Dr. Houston, TX 77054
Closed: 2008
Broke ground: January 3, 1962
Date Visited: August 7, 1978
