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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Sports • Venue

SkyDome

SkyDome was the original name of the retractable-roof stadium in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, now known as Rogers Centre.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

SkyDome was the original name of the retractable-roof stadium in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, now known as Rogers Centre. Opened in 1989, it is best known as the home of the Toronto Blue Jays and for being the first stadium with a fully retractable motorized roof.

History

SkyDome opened in 1989 as a multi-purpose stadium in Toronto. It was later renamed Rogers Centre in 2005, although the SkyDome name remains widely used informally.

Design and features

The stadium is known for its fully retractable roof, a major engineering milestone at the time of opening. Sources also note its attached hotel and its large scale as a major entertainment venue.

Sports and events

SkyDome became the home of the Toronto Blue Jays and also hosted the Toronto Argonauts for many years. It has also been used for major concerts and large-scale events, including WrestleMania.

Cultural significance

The venue became one of Toronto’s best-known landmarks and is frequently associated with the city’s skyline and sports culture. It remains a familiar name in Canadian sports history, especially among Blue Jays fans.

Key facts

  • SkyDome opened in 1989 on the former Railway Lands in downtown Toronto.
  • The venue was renamed Rogers Centre on February 2, 2005.
  • It was the first stadium to have a fully retractable motorized roof.
  • It is located at the base of the CN Tower near Lake Ontario.
  • The stadium is home to the Toronto Blue Jays and previously hosted the Toronto Argonauts.
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Canadian context

SkyDome is a major Canadian sports venue and a well-known Toronto landmark; it is especially significant in Canadian baseball history as the home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Frequently asked questions

What is SkyDome called now?
SkyDome is now called Rogers Centre.
When did SkyDome open?
It opened in 1989.
Why was SkyDome notable?
It was the first stadium with a fully retractable motorized roof.
Where is SkyDome located?
It is in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, near the CN Tower.
Which teams played there?
It has been home to the Toronto Blue Jays and formerly the Toronto Argonauts.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Centre
    Supports: Original name SkyDome; location; opening year; Blue Jays tenancy; retractable roof; attached hotel; informal continued use of SkyDome name
  2. PBS — https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/sky.html
    Supports: Toronto location; completion in 1989; first and only stadium with a fully retractable roof; roof design details; Blue Jays and Argonauts tenancy
  3. Major League Baseball / Toronto Blue Jays — https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/ballpark/information/history
    Supports: Formerly known as SkyDome; renamed Rogers Centre on February 2, 2005
  4. Ballparks of Baseball — https://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/ballparks/rogers-centre/
    Supports: Common informal use of SkyDome; first fully retractable roof; Blue Jays home ballpark
  5. Ballparks of Baseball — https://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/ballparks/rogers-centre/
    Supports: Rogers Centre home to Canada's only Major League Baseball franchise and opening significance
  6. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/1621/inside-the-venue-torontos-rogers-centre
    Supports: Formerly known as Skydome; first major sports arena in North America with a functional fully retractable roof; current tenancy