Rogers Centre Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
*SkyDome*
Construction

Rogers Centre at night, 2008
SkyDome Location in Toronto Show map of Toronto SkyDome Location in Ontario Show map of Ontario SkyDome Location in Canada Show map of Canada
Former names	SkyDome (1989–2005)
Address	1 Blue Jays Way
Location	Toronto, Ontario
Coordinates	43°38′29″N 79°23′21″W / 43.64139°N 79.38917°W / 43.64139; -79.38917
Public transit	Union Station Union subway GO Bus Terminal 509 Harbourfront 510 Spadina
Owner	Rogers Communications
Operator	Rogers Stadium Limited Partnership
Capacity	Baseball: 49,282 Canadian football: 31,074 (expandable to 52,230) American football: 54,000 Soccer: 47,568 Basketball: 22,911 (expandable to 28,708) Concerts: 10,000–55,000
Record attendance	WrestleMania X8: 68,237 (March 17, 2002)
Field size	Left Field Line – 328 feet (100 m) Left-Centre Power Alley – 375 feet (114 m) Centre Field – 400 feet (122 m) Right-Centre Power Alley – 375 feet (114 m) Right Field Line – 328 feet (100 m) Backstop – 60 feet (18 m)
Surface	AstroTurf (1989–2004) FieldTurf (2005–2010) AstroTurf GameDay Grass 3D (2010–2014) AstroTurf 3D Xtreme (2015) AstroTurf 3D Xtreme with dirt infield (2016–present)
Broke ground	October 3, 1986
Opened	June 3, 1989 (as SkyDome)
Construction cost	$570 million
Architect	Rod Robbie, Robbie Adjeleian NORR Consortium
Structural engineer	Adjeleian Allen Rubeli Ltd.
Services engineer	The Mitchell Partnership Inc.
General contractor	EllisDon Construction

Rogers Centre

The Rogers Centre is a huge stadium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It's super close to the famous CN Tower. This stadium is the home field for the Major League Baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays. For many years, until 2015, it was also where the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League played.

When the stadium first opened in 1989, it was known as the SkyDome. It has hosted some really big events, like WWF's WrestleMania VI in 1990 and WrestleMania X8 in 2002. WrestleMania X8 brought in a record-breaking crowd of 68,237 fans! To give you an idea of its size, about 743 Indian elephants could fit inside the Rogers Centre!

History of Rogers Centre
- Why the Name Change?
What Happens at Rogers Centre?
Cool Features of the Stadium
Getting There
Images for kids
See also

History of Rogers Centre

The Rogers Centre opened its doors on June 3, 1989. It was first called the SkyDome. It cost about $570 million to build. The stadium was designed by architect Rod Robbie. It was built to be a multi-purpose venue. This means it can host many different types of events.

Why the Name Change?

In 2005, the stadium's name changed from SkyDome to Rogers Centre. This happened because Rogers Communications, a big Canadian company, bought the stadium. They also own the Toronto Blue Jays.

What Happens at Rogers Centre?

The Rogers Centre is known for hosting many exciting events.

Baseball Games

It is most famous as the home of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play many Major League Baseball games here each year. The stadium can hold almost 50,000 baseball fans!

Other Sports

Besides baseball, the stadium has hosted other sports too.

Canadian football games were played here by the Toronto Argonauts.
It has also seen American football games.
Soccer matches have taken place on its field.
Even basketball games have been played inside.
The stadium has hosted big mixed martial arts events, like UFC 129.

Concerts and Shows

Many famous music artists have performed at the Rogers Centre. It can hold between 10,000 and 55,000 people for concerts. It has also hosted other large shows and events, like the 12th IIFA Awards in 2011.

Cool Features of the Stadium

The Rogers Centre has some unique features that make it special.

Retractable Roof

One of the most amazing things about the Rogers Centre is its retractable roof. This means the roof can open or close depending on the weather. On sunny days, it can open up to let in the sky. If it's raining or cold, the roof can close to keep everyone dry and warm.

Playing Surface

The stadium uses a special type of artificial grass for its field. Over the years, it has used different types like AstroTurf and FieldTurf. This turf can be removed for other events, like concerts or trade shows.

Seating and Views

The stadium has different seating levels. Some restaurants inside the stadium even offer views of the playing field. This means you can eat while watching a game or concert! There are also cool art pieces, like The Audience by Michael Snow, above some of the entrances.

Getting There

The Rogers Centre is easy to get to in downtown Toronto. It's located at 1 Blue Jays Way. You can reach it using public transport like:

Union Station for trains.
Union subway for the subway.
GO Bus Terminal for buses.
Streetcars like the 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina also stop nearby.

Images for kids

A cable-stayed bridge was built over the Union Station Rail Corridor next to the stadium. Stadium-goers, pedestrians and cyclists use the bridge, while hot dog stands are set up on it.
SkyDome wordmark (1989–2005)
Opening of the 600th McDonald's Canada location at the SkyDome in August 1989; the McDonald's location has since been replaced.
Rogers Centre wordmark on the exterior of the stadium. The stadium was renamed in 2005.
Interior of the stadium in 2005. Rogers refurbished several parts of the stadium after its acquisition, including replacing the Jumbotron with a Daktronics video display.
The roof of the Rogers Centre illuminated during the night in 2008
Exterior entrance to the Jays Shop at Rogers Centre
Several restaurants have views of events. The former Windows restaurant looked onto the playing field.
The stadium's field without its turf in 2006. The stadium's FieldTurf may be removed for events such as concerts and trade shows.
The Audience is a depiction of larger-than-life fans by Michael Snow above the northeast and northwest entrances of Rogers Centre
The stadium's video board in 2018, depicting the two Commissioner's Trophies won by the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993
The 2016 American League Wild Card Game held at the Rogers Centre
The Rogers Centre's field arranged for Canadian football
A soccer match between Serbia and Italy in 2005
A soccer match between Toronto FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012
UFC 129 was held at the Rogers Centre in April 2011
WrestleMania X8 at the stadium in 2002
Preparations taking place at the Rogers Centre before a U2 concert
The 12th International Indian Film Academy Awards held at the Rogers Centre in June 2011
Members of the Toronto Argonauts run onto the field of the Rogers Centre, after winning the 100th Grey Cup in 2012
Left: Rogers Centre with roof closed Right: Rogers Centre with roof opened
The field-level seating rotates on tracks to make the stadium easier to reconfigure