Pontiac Silverdome

The Pontiac Silverdome is a domed stadium in Pontiac, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It hosted the Detroit Lions of the NFL from 1975-2001, the Detroit Pistons of the NBA from 1978-1988, the Michigan Panthers of the USFL from 1983-1984, and four first-round games during the 1994 World Cup. For the World Cup games, a grass surface was laid down on top of wooden pallets atop the artificial turf that was usually used. It was the first time that World Cup games were played indoors. The Silverdome also hosted Super Bowl XVI on January 28, 1982, and in 1987, Pope John Paul II held mass there.

Related Topics:
Domed - Stadium - Pontiac, Michigan - Suburb - Detroit - Detroit Lions - NFL - 1975 - 2001 - Detroit Pistons - NBA - 1978 - 1988 - Michigan Panthers - USFL - 1983 - 1984 - 1994 World Cup - Super Bowl XVI - January 28 - 1982 - 1987 - Pope John Paul II

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The decision to build a domed stadium in Detroit took place after a late-season football game at Tiger Stadium resulted in a half-dozen pairs of shoes being lost beneath the muddy surface and not recovered until the next spring. Completed in 1975 (as Pontiac Metropolitan Stadium, or PonMet Stadium for short) at a cost of $55.7 million, the Silverdome sat 80,311. It contained 102 luxury suites and 7,384 club seats.

Related Topics:
Tiger Stadium - 1975

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The original silver roof was built of canvas and supported by steel girders and was replaced (with a white roof) after a freak snowstorm on March 4, 1985 caused extensive structural damage. Being one of the largest stadiums in the NFL and also a domed stadium, the Silverdome was known for the extremely loud noise that the fans were capable of producing when the stands were filled. The biggest crowd to ever gather there for a sporting event was on March 29, 1987 for WrestleMania III, when 93,173 fans attended to see Hulk Hogan take on André the Giant.

Related Topics:
March 4 - 1985 - March 29 - 1987 - WrestleMania III - Hulk Hogan - André the Giant

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The Lions moved to the new Ford Field at the beginning of the 2002 season. The Silverdome is still standing.

Related Topics:
Ford Field - 2002

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There is talk that the Silverdome will be used as a practice facility for the AFC champion for Super Bowl XL.

Related Topics:
AFC - Super Bowl XL

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The Silverdome probably will be demolished in late 2005/early 2006.

Related Topics:
2005 - 2006

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