The Alamodome opened on May 15, 1993, in downtown San Antonio, Texas, as a multipurpose domed stadium built to lure an NFL franchise and to give the city a large-scale convention and events venue. Designed by HOK Sport and Marmon Mok, the roughly $186 million facility instead became a home for a rotating cast of tenants, from the NBA’s Spurs to modern college football and pro leagues.
Today the Alamodome is best known as the home field of the UTSA Roadrunners and the annual Alamo Bowl, while also hosting concerts, conventions, and some of the biggest events in college basketball. Its cavernous, air-conditioned interior can be reconfigured for football, basketball, baseball, and even ice hockey, making it one of the more adaptable domed venues in the country.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): UTSA Roadrunners (NCAA football, 2011-present); formerly San Antonio Spurs (NBA, 1993-2002)
- Location: San Antonio, Texas
- Opened: May 15, 1993
- Capacity: About 64,000 for football, expandable to 72,000
- Construction Cost: About $186 million
- Notable Fact: Hosted the NCAA Men’s Final Four five times (1998, 2004, 2008, 2018, 2025)
From NFL Bid to College Football Home
San Antonio built the Alamodome hoping to attract an NFL expansion team or relocation in the early 1990s, but no franchise ever moved in. Instead, the Spurs played there from 1993 to 2002 before decamping to a purpose-built arena, and the dome settled into a role hosting one-off pro games, including three New Orleans Saints home games in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina damaged the Superdome.
Since 2011, the Alamodome has anchored UTSA’s football program, giving the Roadrunners one of the largest stadiums in college football relative to typical campus attendance. The venue also hosts the Alamo Bowl every December, drawing a mix of Big Ten and Big 12 fans to its expansive concourses.
A Stage for Major Events
Beyond football, the Alamodome has repeatedly landed on the NCAA’s short list for the Men’s Basketball Final Four, hosting the event in 1998, 2004, 2008, 2018, and 2025. Its reconfigurable seating bowl has also supported WWE pay-per-views, championship boxing, indoor football with the Talons, Commanders, and Brahmas, and large-scale conventions and concerts that take advantage of San Antonio’s downtown location.
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Alamodome FAQs
What is the Alamodome’s capacity?
It seats about 64,000 for football, with expansion possible up to roughly 72,000; basketball configurations range from about 20,662 up to 70,000 depending on setup.
Who plays home games at the Alamodome?
The UTSA Roadrunners college football team has played its home games there since 2011, and the venue also hosts the annual Alamo Bowl.
Did an NBA team ever play at the Alamodome?
Yes, the San Antonio Spurs played there from 1993 until 2002, when they moved to a new arena now known as the Frost Bank Center.
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Photo: Yinan Chen / Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.