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Top 10 Covered Stadiums in the World by Capacity

Covered stadiums, as it is possible to understand from the name itself, are those stadiums that have a dome, retractable roof, etc. on them. Covered stadiums generally have a playing surface which is large enough for it to allow playing the host to field sports such as football or soccer, baseball, American football, and others. Here is a list of the Top 10 Covered Stadiums in the World by Capacity, in which the covered stadiums are listed on the basis of the maximum number if spectators can be accommodated by the stadiums for a sporting event. Let us take a look at the list:

Top 10 Covered Stadiums in the World by Capacity

10. Ford Field

Ford Field Stadium is one of the biggest covered arenas in the United States, and is located in Detroit, Michigan. The stadium features a domed roof and currently has a seating capacity of 65,000 for the visitors, and is inducted in the tenth place in our list of top 10 covered stadiums in the world by capacity. The capacity of Ford Field can be expanded to 70,000. Architect firms Rossetti Architects, Hamilton Anderson Associates, Inc. and Kaplan, McLaughlin and Diaz Architects designed this stadium and it was first inaugurated for public on 24th August 2002. Ford Field was built with a construction cost of nearly US$430 million. The current owner of the stadium is Wayne County Stadium Authority and Detroit Lions are the present operator. Ford Field is currently used by the NFL franchise Detroit Lions since 2002, and Quick Lane Bowl of NCAA also uses this stadium as the home ground since 2014.

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9. Alamodome

Alamodome is one of the biggest covered arenas in the United States, and is located in San Antonio, Texas. The stadium features a domed roof and currently has a seating capacity of 65,000 for the visitors, and is inducted in the ninth place in our list of top 10 covered stadiums in the world by capacity. The capacity of Alamodome can be expanded to 72,000. Architect firms HOK Sport, Marmon Mok and W. E. Simpson Company, Inc. designed this stadium and it was first inaugurated for public on 15th May 1993. Alamodome was built with a construction cost of nearly $186 million. The current owner and operator of the stadium is City of San Antonio. Alamodome is currently used by the NCAA franchise Alamo Bowl since 1993, and UTSA Roadrunners of NCAA also uses this stadium as the home ground since 2011.

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8. Stade olympique de Montréal

Stade olympique de Montréal is one of the biggest covered arenas in the Canada, and is located in Montreal, Quebec. The stadium features a domed roof and currently has a seating capacity of 65,255 for the visitors, and is inducted in the eighth place in our list of top 10 covered stadiums in the world by capacity. The Stade olympique de Montréal was originally opened without a roof which was later covered with a domed roof. Architect Roger Taillibert designed this stadium and it was first inaugurated for public on 17th July 1976. Stade olympique de Montréal was built with a construction cost of nearly C$ 770 million. The current owner of the stadium is Régie des Installations Olympiques. Stade olympique de Montréal is currently used by the CFL franchise Montreal Alouettes since 1996, and Montreal Expos of MLB also used this stadium as their home ground between 1977 and 2004.

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7. Edward Jones Dome

Edward Jones Dome is one of the biggest covered arenas in the United States, and is located in St. Louis, Missouri. The stadium features a domed roof and currently has a seating capacity of 66,000 for the visitors, and is inducted in the seventh place in our list of top 10 covered stadiums in the world by capacity. The capacity of Edward Jones Dome can be expanded to 70,000. Architect firm HOK Sport (now Populous) and Kennedy Associates/Architects, Inc. designed this stadium and it was first inaugurated for public on 12h November 1995. Edward Jones Dome was built with a construction cost of nearly $280 million. The current owner of the stadium is the St. Louis Regional Sports Authority and the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau is the present operator. Edward Jones Dome is currently used by the NFL franchise St. Louis Rams since 1995.

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6. Baku National Stadium

Baku National Stadium is one of the biggest covered arenas in Azerbaijan, and is located in Baku. The stadium features a retractable roof and currently has a seating capacity of 68,700 for the visitors, and is inducted in the sixth place in our list of top 10 covered stadiums in the world by capacity. Architect firm Heerim designed this stadium and it was first inaugurated for public recently on 6th March 2015. Grass is used as the surface of the Baku National Stadium. The current owner of the stadium is Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. Baku National Stadium is currently used by the Azerbaijan national football team, and it will host the upcoming 2015 European Games and UEFA Euro 2020.

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5. NRG Stadium

NRG Stadium is one of the biggest covered arenas in the United States, and is located in Houston, Texas. The stadium features a retractable roof and currently has a seating capacity of 71,054 for the visitors, and is inducted in the fifth place in our list of top 10 covered stadiums in the world by capacity. Architect firm Populous (then HOK Sport) and Hermes Architects (Architect-of-Record) designed this stadium and it was first inaugurated for the public on 24th August 2002. NRG Stadium was built with a construction cost of nearly $352 million. The current owner of the stadium is Harris County and SMG World is the present operator. NRG Stadium is currently used by the NFL franchise Houston Texans since 2002, and Texas Bowl of NCAA also uses this stadium as the home ground since 2006.

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4. Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Mercedes-Benz Superdome is one of the biggest covered arenas in the United States, and is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. The stadium features a domed roof and currently has a seating capacity of 73,208 for the visitors, and is inducted in the fourth place in our list of top 10 covered stadiums in the world by capacity. The capacity of Mercedes-Benz Superdome can be expanded to 76,468. Architect firm Curtis and Davis Associated, Edward B. Silverstein & Associates and Nolan and Norman & Nolan designed this stadium and it was first inaugurated for public on 3rd August 1975. Mercedes-Benz Superdome was built with a construction cost of nearly $134 million. The current owner of the stadium is Expo District and SMG is the present operator. Mercedes-Benz Superdome is currently used by the NFL franchise New Orleans Saints since 1975, and Sugar Bowl in NCAA also uses this stadium as the home ground since 1975.

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3. Georgia Dome

Georgia Dome is one of the biggest covered arenas in the United States, and is located in Atlanta, Georgia. The stadium features a domed roof and currently has a seating capacity of 74,288 for the visitors, and is inducted in the third place in our list of top 10 covered stadiums in the world by capacity. Georgia Dome is set to be demolished in 2017 after the inauguration of the New Atlanta Stadium. Architect firms Heery International, Rosser FABRAP International and Tvsdesign designed this stadium and it was first inaugurated for public on 6th September 1992. Georgia Dome was built with a construction cost of nearly $214 million. The current owner of the stadium is the State of Georgia and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority is the present operator. Georgia Dome is currently used by the NFL franchise Atlanta Falcons since 1992, and Atlanta Hawks of the NBA also used this stadium as the home ground between 1997 and 1999.

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2. Millennium Stadium

Millennium Stadium is one of the biggest covered arenas in Wales, and is located in Cardiff. The stadium features a retractable roof and currently has a seating capacity of 74,500 for the visitors, and is inducted in the second place in our list of top 10 covered stadiums in the world by capacity. The capacity of Millennium Stadium will be expanded to 80,000 in the planned renovation. Architect firms Bligh Lobb Sports Architecture and WS Atkins designed this stadium and it was first inaugurated for public on 26th June 1999. Millennium Stadium was constructed with a construction cost of nearly £121 million. The current owner and operator of the stadium is the Welsh Rugby Union. Millennium Stadium is currently used by the Welsh Rugby Union National Team and Football Association of Wales also uses this stadium as the home ground.

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1. AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium is one of the biggest covered arenas in the United States, and is located in Arlington, Texas. The stadium features a retractable roof and currently has a seating capacity of 80,000 for the visitors, and is inducted in the top place in our list of top 10 covered stadiums in the world by capacity. Capacity of AT& T Stadium can be expanded to 105,000. Architect firm HKS, Inc. designed this stadium and it was first inaugurated for public on 27th May 2009. AT&T Stadium was built with a construction cost of nearly $1.3 billion. The current owner of the stadium is the City of Arlington and the Dallas Cowboys are the present operator. AT&T Stadium is currently used by the NFL franchise Dallas Cowboys since 2009, and Cotton Bowl Classic of NCAA also uses this stadium as the home ground since 2010.

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Sports stadiums with covers may be designed for field sports, such as baseball, or any one of the wide variety of football codes. They may also be tennis stadiums, so as to require less playing area. Domed and retractable roofs of the stadiums cover the spectators, as well as the playing field.