Pontiac, Michigan - 1975-2013
Once the home of the Detroit Lions, the Pontiac Silverdome now resides in ruins, a ghost of its former self. The stadium’s fabric roof has fallen from the sky, littering the inside of the stadium with long, white streamers. The AstroTurf field is gone, and the stadium is now empty; but it’s not hard to imagine players like Barry Sanders running across the stadium, dazzling the fans that used to fill those (now faded) blue seats.
The Lions played at the Silverdome from 1975 until 2001, before moving to Ford Field prior to the start of the 2002 NFL season. The Lions, however, were not the only team to ever call the Silverdome home. The Pistons also played there for several years (1978-1988), as did the Detroit Express of the NASL (1978-1980) and the Michigan Panthers of the USFL (1983-1984).
The stadium was also the site of many prestigious events during its time. The ‘Dome was host to college football’s Motor City Bowl and Cherry Bowl, and was the venue for many concerts, featuring the likes of Elvis Presley, The Who, and Led Zeppelin, among others. In 1979, the NBA All-Star game was played at the Silverdome, and in 1982, Pontiac was the site of Superbowl XVI, perhaps the most important football game ever played in the stadium.
The most well attended event at the Silverdome, however, may surprise you. It was not a concert or a sporting event, but a church service. In 1987, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in front of 93,682 people, setting the stadium’s attendance record.
Perhaps the last great event to take place at the stadium was the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Soccer fans got to see four group-stage matches, including a 1-1 draw against Switzerland by the U.S. Men’s National Team. On January 6, 2002, the Lions effectively gave the Silverdome its sending off, beating the Cowboys 15-10 in their final game at the stadium. The Silverdome remained operational for several more years, but without the Lions as a permanent tenant, it was clear that the venue’s best days were behind it. The Silverdome played host to a handful of events following the Lions departure, but in 2013, the stadium finally closed its doors for good.
Today, the Silverdome sits vacant and in ruins. The roof is completely missing, leaving the stadium exposed to the elements. Most of the stadium’s interior has been stripped and auctioned off by the current owners, an investment group who bought the stadium in 2009 for a mere $583,000. Many of the stadium’s seats are gone, sold along with the scoreboards, much of the field turf, copper wire, and anything else of value. The investors, who once stated they would like to restore the stadium to its former glory, are now attempting to offload their purchase for an asking price of about $30 million.
Although nothing is confirmed, the Silverdome’s days are likely numbered. The owners are currently exploring options for redeveloping the 127 acre property the stadium sits on, and when that does finally happen, the Silverdome will likely be demolished. But until then, we can sit back and look at what remains of this once extravagant stadium, and reminisce about the action and excitement that once took place on that field.
The Lions played at the Silverdome from 1975 until 2001, before moving to Ford Field prior to the start of the 2002 NFL season. The Lions, however, were not the only team to ever call the Silverdome home. The Pistons also played there for several years (1978-1988), as did the Detroit Express of the NASL (1978-1980) and the Michigan Panthers of the USFL (1983-1984).
The stadium was also the site of many prestigious events during its time. The ‘Dome was host to college football’s Motor City Bowl and Cherry Bowl, and was the venue for many concerts, featuring the likes of Elvis Presley, The Who, and Led Zeppelin, among others. In 1979, the NBA All-Star game was played at the Silverdome, and in 1982, Pontiac was the site of Superbowl XVI, perhaps the most important football game ever played in the stadium.
The most well attended event at the Silverdome, however, may surprise you. It was not a concert or a sporting event, but a church service. In 1987, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass in front of 93,682 people, setting the stadium’s attendance record.
Perhaps the last great event to take place at the stadium was the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Soccer fans got to see four group-stage matches, including a 1-1 draw against Switzerland by the U.S. Men’s National Team. On January 6, 2002, the Lions effectively gave the Silverdome its sending off, beating the Cowboys 15-10 in their final game at the stadium. The Silverdome remained operational for several more years, but without the Lions as a permanent tenant, it was clear that the venue’s best days were behind it. The Silverdome played host to a handful of events following the Lions departure, but in 2013, the stadium finally closed its doors for good.
Today, the Silverdome sits vacant and in ruins. The roof is completely missing, leaving the stadium exposed to the elements. Most of the stadium’s interior has been stripped and auctioned off by the current owners, an investment group who bought the stadium in 2009 for a mere $583,000. Many of the stadium’s seats are gone, sold along with the scoreboards, much of the field turf, copper wire, and anything else of value. The investors, who once stated they would like to restore the stadium to its former glory, are now attempting to offload their purchase for an asking price of about $30 million.
Although nothing is confirmed, the Silverdome’s days are likely numbered. The owners are currently exploring options for redeveloping the 127 acre property the stadium sits on, and when that does finally happen, the Silverdome will likely be demolished. But until then, we can sit back and look at what remains of this once extravagant stadium, and reminisce about the action and excitement that once took place on that field.
