For fans at a sports event, entering a stadium, grabbing some food, and gearing up to watch the game are all part of the incredible experience they likely paid a couple of days’ salary to have. A key aspect of that experience is whether you’re amply sheltered from the rain in a dome or feel the natural breeze and sun on your skin in an open stadium.

For the players on the field, the type of stadium they’re in can make an even bigger difference. They either get the safe, controlled environment of a dome or have to deal with the unpredictability of an open stadium. Similar to how finding the right list of online casino welcome bonus offers can influence your odds of winning a life-changing wager, stadium types can influence how a game plays out and, ultimately, the results. We’ve seen it time and time again, where the reflection of the sun or the frigid weather throws a team off their game.

So, are dome stadiums better for their predictable atmosphere, or do the raw experiences of open stadiums have their merits?

Dome Stadiums

Dome stadiums are a favourite for many athletes and fans because no matter the weather outside, the stadium is a completely controlled environment. That way, sports games aren’t affected by external factors, such as extreme heat or cold, pouring rain, or heavy snowfall. What’s interesting about dome stadiums is that they aren’t always enclosed. Many have retractable roofs that can be opened during pleasant weather conditions, providing more of an outdoor experience.

At the same time, dome stadiums are a luxury and often cost a pretty penny when it comes to the initial construction and ongoing maintenance. Climate control systems and complex retractable roofs are expensive to maintain and consume a significant amount of energy. There can also be a disconnect from the traditional outdoor atmosphere that many associate with sports games.

The first-ever dome stadium was the NRG Astrodome, built in 1965. It was a groundbreaking structure that served as home base for the Houston Astros in MLB and the Houston Oilers in the NFL. The stadium was constructed that way when the MLB expanded to Houston under the premise that they needed a covered venue to host a baseball team in a subtropical climate.

Of course, there’s also Toronto’s Rogers Centre, which opened in 1989 and is home to the world’s first retractable roof. Weighing 11,000 tons and covering 8 acres, the roof is a mammoth engineering feat. While the Toronto Blue Jays have benefitted from it because of Toronto’s sometimes extreme weather conditions, they’ve also capitalized on it by using the closed dome to amplify the cheers of the crowd, intimidating their opponents.

Open Stadiums

Although dome stadiums provide consistency, something that has significant value in sports, some would say they lack the unpredictability that is an inherent part of sports. Natural sunlight, an overcast game, heavy snow, hail, the sounds of the crowd reverberating into the night—all of these components have been a part of sports for as long as we can remember. These factors can also change the entire trajectory of a game, with certain teams used to the scorching heat of their hometown, for example, and others accustomed to playing in ice-cold weather.

Take the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, for example. While they play in a city that experiences extreme winters, Highmark Stadium is an open-air stadium. This has forced players to deal with freezing temperatures and harsh winter weather, contributing to a fanbase and franchise known for its toughness and grit. No matter the weather, Bills fans are out there, tailgating in solidarity. And while the Bills are more than used to these conditions, teams that end up playing against them on home turf struggle, giving the Buffalo Bills the home-field advantage they’ve worked so hard to maintain.

A new stadium to replace Highmark is set to open across the street by June 2026. Despite having the opportunity to go for a dome stadium and avoid the brutal weather conditions, stakeholders ultimately decided to stick with an open stadium. The stadium is still set to feature curved sides to cover the majority of viewing seats and be positioned to protect fans from the winds of Lake Erie. Every decision seemed to have a purpose, whether for the fans or to give the players a competitive advantage.

While baseball and football stadiums are either domes or open today, soccer stadiums have remained open-air for various reasons. One of which is a factor we’ve been talking about for the majority of this article: keeping weather a factor in the outcome of the game. Soccer fans and players believe in the charm of having weather influence a match, making it a true testament to the players’ skills and adaptability. Fans enjoy their connection to the outdoors, providing that zeal and energy no matter the conditions.

Another factor? The tradition of soccer. Much like the Buffalo Bills have decided to keep their open-air tradition alive, keeping open stadiums a staple in the soccer world is part of continuing that tradition. Despite the glitz and commercialization of top leagues in the sport, they maintain authenticity through these elements and stay true to the sport’s roots of outdoor play. With soccer being a global sport with clubs at various levels and different financial capabilities, the tradition of open-air stadiums makes the game more inclusive.

By Chris Bates