Imagine a massive dome, bigger than any other stadium, with a huge basketball court. Sounds cool, right? That’s the JMA Wireless Dome, home of the Syracuse Orange! It’s a one-of-a-kind arena that’s sure to impress.

During the mid-1970s, the city of Syracuse made a strategic choice to invest in the construction of an indoor complex that would cater to the needs of athletes participating in track, basketball, and football. After plans were approved, the $26.85 million dome was finished in September 1980, just in time for the Orange’s first football game. But at that point, the stadium was not called JMA Wireless Dome. Well, what was its name then?

The stadium was renamed after its $2.75 million naming rights deal. For the 2021 season, the stadium was referred to as the Carrier Dome. Later, in May 2022, JMA Wireless bought the naming rights for ten years and christened the JMA Wireless Dome. Today the stadium is the biggest dome building on a college campus in the nation, holding 49,057 people. However, note that this was not accomplished in a single night. Rather, it required immense dedication, hard work, and sacrifice to transform it from a solitary playing field into a versatile multi-sporting arena. 

The University made plans to repair the stadium public in May 2018. However, by the 2020 season, the multi-million dollar makeover was finished. It featured upgrades to the concourses, restrooms, and concessions, as well as the replacement of the original roof and air conditioning. It appeared that from the very start, the dome had never experienced anything like this before. On top of this, the huge HD video board over the playing field’s center is the feature that most spectators notice.

The JMA Wireless Dome isn’t just about the size. It’s got a special atmosphere that’ll blow you away. Even John Wildhack, Syracuse’s athletic director, said, “This is an exciting time for the Orange Family. We’re all in on creating an amazing game experience for our fans,” while taking pride over their Stadium. Let’s see what all the hype is about!

JMA Wireless Dome: The loudest house in the East

Greetings from the LOUD HOUSE! The majority of Syracuse supporters know that playing at the Dome presents challenges for opponents. Because playing a football game while the crowd is enthralling is especially difficult. However, since the program’s inaugural game under the Dome in 1980—a 36-24 victory against Miami in front of 50,564 fans—more than 9 million spectators have entered the revolving doors of Syracuse. Recently, on September 20, 2024, the Syracuse Orange hosted Stanford for a home game with a sizable crowd in honor of the JMA Dome’s 44th anniversary.

In addition to football, this venue hosts a variety of other games and events. It serves as a showcase for SU’s nationally regarded basketball team as well as the lacrosse team. Furthermore, it accommodates a variety of events, from the yearly spring commencement to musical performances by artists like Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel, to ice shows like the sold-out exhibition of former Olympic skaters.

The stadium is currently getting ready for Orange’s next matchup with Virginia Tech. Can they pull off a victory in front of their home crowd?