Kingdome

In 1959, Seattle restaurateur David L. Cohn wrote a letter to the Seattle City Council suggesting the city needed a covered stadium for a major professional sports franchise.{{cite web|last=Crowley|first=Walt|title=National Football League awards Seattle a franchise for future Seahawks on December 5, 1974|url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=7633|publisher=HistoryLink.org|access-date=March 15, 2011|date=February 2, 2006}}{{cite news |last1=Kaiman |first1=Beth |title=David Cohn, 85; top restaurateur, major booster of UW athletics |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20030910&slug=cohnobit10m |access-date=March 26, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 10, 2003}} A domed stadium was thought to be a must because of Seattle's frequent rain. At the time, the city had Husky Stadium and Sick's Stadium for college football and minor league baseball, respectively, but both were deemed inadequate for a major league team.

File:Proposed floating stadium, 1963.gif

In 1960, King County commissioners placed a $15 million bond issue measure on the ballot to fund construction of a stadium, but voters on November 8 defeated it with only 48 percent approval because of doubt the stadium could be built within that budget, and lack of a guarantee the city would have a team to play in the stadium.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Mullins|2013|pp=26–27}} By 1966, the National Football League and the American League were both considering granting the city an expansion franchise, and as a result, the King County Council placed another bond issue measure on the ballot for a September vote. While it received 51.5 percent approval, it did not reach the 60 percent required to proceed; the requirement was due to a 1932 initiative that mandated a supermajority for tax levies over 40 mills.{{cite journal |last1=Mullins |first1=William H. |title=Not Quite Big League: The Pilots and Seattle in the 1960s |journal=Pacific Northwest Quarterly |date=2009 |volume=100 |issue=3 |pages=120–133 |issn=0030-8803 |oclc=2392232 |jstor=40492203}}{{Harvard citation no brackets|Mullins|2013|pp=46–47}}

In 1967, the American League granted Seattle an expansion franchise that would be known as the Seattle Pilots. The league clearly stated Sick's Stadium was not adequate as a major-league stadium, and stipulated that as a condition of being awarded the franchise, bonds had to be issued to fund construction of a domed stadium that had to be completed by 1970; additionally, the capacity at Sick's Stadium had to be expanded from 11,000 to 30,000 by Opening Day 1969, when the team was scheduled to begin playing. The Pilots were supposed to begin play in 1971 along with the Kansas City Royals. However, when Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri got wind of those plans, he demanded both teams begin play in 1969. The American League had birthed the Royals and Pilots as a result of the Kansas City Athletics moving to Oakland, and Symington would not accept the prospect of Kansas City waiting three years for baseball's return.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Mullins|2013|pp=52–58}}

On February 13, 1968, King County voters approved the issue of $40 million in bonds to fund construction of the "King County Multipurpose Domed Stadium" with 62 percent in favor; it was part of the Forward Thrust group of bond propositions that, among other items, had a regional rapid transit system rejected.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Mullins|2013|pp=85–86}} That year, a committee considered over 100 sites throughout Seattle and King County for the stadium; they unanimously decided the best site would be on the grounds of Seattle Center, site of the 1962 World's Fair. Community members decried the idea, claiming the committee was influenced by special interest groups.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Mullins|2013|pp=173–174}}{{cite web|last=MacIntosh|first=Heather|title=Kingdome: The Controversial Birth of a Seattle Icon (1959–1976)|url=http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=2164|publisher=HistoryLink.org|access-date=March 15, 2011|date=March 1, 2000}}

The Pilots began play as planned in 1969, but Sick's Stadium proved to be a problematic venue for fans, media, and visiting players alike. The Pilots only drew 677,000 fans that season, not nearly enough to break even. It soon became apparent that the Pilots would not survive long enough to move to their new stadium without new ownership. It was also obvious that the timetable for a new stadium would have to be significantly advanced, as Sick's Stadium was completely unsuitable even for temporary use. However, a petition by stadium opponents brought the dome project to a halt. The Pilots' ownership group ran out of money by the end of the season, and with the stadium plans in limbo, the team was forced to declare bankruptcy. Despite efforts by Seattle-area businessmen to buy the team as well as an attempt to keep the team in Seattle through the court system, the Pilots were sold to Milwaukee businessman Bud Selig, who relocated the team to Milwaukee and renamed it the Milwaukee Brewers a week before the start of the 1970 season.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Mullins|2013|pp=190–194, 229–233}}

File:Kingdome_under_construction_-_1973.jpg

The push to build the domed stadium continued despite the lack of a major league sports team to occupy it. In May 1970 voters rejected the proposal to build the stadium at Seattle Center.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ipApAAAAIBAJ&pg=4838%2C1677344 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |title=Voters in Seattle reject proposals |date=May 20, 1970 |page=1 |via=Google News}} From 1970 to 1972, the commission studied the feasibility and economic impact of building the stadium on King Street adjacent to Pioneer Square and the International District—a site that ranked at the bottom when the commission originally narrowed the field of possible sites in 1968. This drew sharp opposition primarily from the International District community, which feared the impact of the stadium on neighborhood businesses located east of the site. The King Street site was approved 8–1 by the county council in late 1971,{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=msleAAAAIBAJ&pg=4337%2C134361 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Stadium okehed inside Seattle |date=December 1, 1971 |page=15 |via=Google News}} and the groundbreaking ceremony in 1972 was held on November 2.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZoJfAAAAIBAJ&pg=6088%2C850157 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |agency=Associated Press |title=Protesters halt groundbreaking at Seattle domed stadium site |date=November 3, 1972 |page=15 |via=Google News}} Several protesters attended the ceremony, disrupted the speakers, and at one point threw mud balls at them.

In bidding for construction of the stadium, which had separate offers for the dome and the rest of the stadium, Donald M. Drake Construction Company of Portland, Oregon, was the winning contractor for both with respective bids of $28.9 million and $5.9 million. Peter Kiewit Sons Construction Company was the only other bidder, offering $30.57 million for the stadium and $5.8 million for the roof; the latter came with the caveat of the company using its own design consultant.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Mullins|2013|p=253}} To help alleviate tension between the International District community and county officials, Drake emphasized the hiring of minorities, with minorities eventually representing 13 percent of the workers at the site; a community center and a shelter were also built in the neighborhood. However, the stadium's construction encountered numerous issues; in January 1973, six support beams for the roof were toppled as one or two of them buckled, bringing down the others in a domino effect. By January 1974, the stadium reached 50 percent completion; only reaching 60 percent completion in July, it was clear that Drake would not reach the December deadline at that point. It was also apparent that Drake was ill-prepared to work on a project with such scale, with numerous errors, delays, and short-staffing slowing down construction. Efforts to renegotiate the contract failed, and on November 22, Drake stopped work on the Kingdome. The county fired Drake on December 10, bringing in Kiewit to finish construction on the stadium.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Mullins|2013|pp=256–261}}

File:1985 Mother's Cookies - Seattle Kingdome.JPG

After Ralph Wilson's threats to move the Buffalo Bills to Seattle came to naught with the construction of Rich Stadium,{{cite news |date=January 15, 1971 |title=Memphis, Tampa express interest in Buffalo Bills |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19710115&id=ezMsAAAAIBAJ&pg=4930,2267693 |newspaper=Spartanburg (SC) Herald |page=14 |agency=Associated Press}} on December 5, 1974, the NFL awarded Seattle an expansion franchise to occupy the new stadium; the team was later named the Seattle Seahawks.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=e5JYAAAAIBAJ&pg=4795%2C1781066 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |title=NFL selects Seattle group |date=December 5, 1974 |page=49 |via=Google News}} Construction lasted another two years, and the stadium held an opening ceremony on March 27, 1976.{{cite news |last1=Ledbetter |first1=Les |title=Seattle Awaits Debut Of Kingdome Tonight |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/03/27/archives/seattle-awaits-debut-of-kingdome-tonight.html |access-date=March 26, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=March 27, 1976 |page=43}} It hosted its first professional sporting event two weeks later on April 9, an exhibition soccer game between the Seattle Sounders and New York Cosmos of the NASL. It set a record for the largest soccer audience in North America at 58,120.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ylVOAAAAIBAJ&pg=3922%2C2278346 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |title=Huge crowd views Pele |date=April 10, 1976 |page=10 |via=Google News}} The stadium was finished at $20 million over budget, with part of the cost overrun covered by a $12.8 million out-of-court settlement in 1980 between the county and Drake's liability insurers.{{Harvard citation no brackets|Mullins|2013|p=263}}

Like virtually all other multi-purpose stadiums, the Kingdome featured AstroTurf artificial turf for its playing surface, with its baseball configuration featuring dirt sliding pits around each base.{{cite news |last1=Divish |first1=Ryan |title='The slowest surface I've ever seen': Tokyo Dome turf yet another adjustment for Mariners in Japan |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-adjusting-to-the-new-artificial-turf-of-the-tokyo-dome/ |access-date=April 1, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 17, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Jack |title=Throwback Thursday: Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium And The Era Of Multipurpose Mistakes |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/throwback-thursday-cincinnatis-riverfront-stadium-and-the-era-of-multipurpose-mistakes/ |website=Vice |access-date=April 1, 2021 |language=en |date=July 2, 2015}} When it was constructed, artificial turf was considered a must because the roof was likely to inhibit the growth of natural grass, like the Astrodome's roof.{{cite news |last1=Farrey |first1=Tom |title=A Return To Football's Grass Roots? -- Artificial Turf May Not Make Sense, Even Here |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19911114&slug=1317170 |access-date=April 1, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=November 14, 1991}}

The AstroTurf surface was first replaced in July 1983 during the MLB All-Star break; Monsanto, the then-owner of AstroTurf, won the turf replacement contract over SuperTurf (then used by the Metrodome) with a bid of $1.2 million.{{cite news |last1=Finnigan |first1=Bob |title=Kingdome to get new rug during M's season |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12F3CD68D6EE9F8F%25402445425-12F3CC37ABD5271B%254094-12F3CC37ABD5271B%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 31, 1983 |page=D1 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Craig |title=Sounder psych: ironing board and rock |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12F429365F0F19B8%25402445529-12F3849D50399AD3%25401-12F3849D50399AD3%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 13, 1983 |page=E3 |via=NewsBank}} By request of the Mariners and Seahawks, it was replaced again in October and December 1990 at a cost of $2.56 million; the previous surface was sold off thereafter, with 25 rolls of it sold to the Tacoma Dome for $108,200.{{cite news |last1=Farrey |first1=Tom |title=Boz poster still a hit with fans |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB5343C11326E2D |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 14, 1990 |page=C4 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite news |title=Rocket's agent says $13.2 million is NFL price tag |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB53477042EC1EC |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=January 26, 1991 |page=B2 |via=NewsBank}} A strip 40 feet by 4 inches was ripped off left field near second base during a field invasion by celebrating fans after the Mariners won the AL West tiebreaker game in 1995; it was replaced before the first Mariners home game in the ALDS.{{cite news |title=Fans Tear Turf From Kingdome |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/oct/03/fans-tear-turf-from-kingdome/ |access-date=April 1, 2021 |work=Tacoma News Tribune |date=October 3, 1995 |via=The Spokesman-Review}}

Before the 1990 replacement, the AstroTurf surface was converted from baseball to football configuration via the covering of the infield with turf strips; a one-piece surface was placed over the infield after the conclusion of the Mariners season.{{cite news |last1=Farrey |first1=Tom |title=Hawks, M's may get separate Dome turf |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB5342A38078800 |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 6, 1990 |page=E2 |via=NewsBank}} The surface was attached together via both Velcro and Ziploc fasteners.{{cite news |last1=Withers |first1=Bud |title=Baseball players bugged the most by Kingdome's hard rug |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB04955C8E462AE |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=January 15, 1990 |page=D2 |via=NewsBank}} After the 1990 replacement, separate surfaces were installed for each team; the Seahawks specifically wanted a stiffer variation of AstroTurf. The replacement surfaces were attached together via zippers.

The underlying base of the surface was asphalt, with the AstroTurf essentially consisting of a carpet on top of a pad with respective thicknesses of one-half inch and five-eights inch. Lumps, holes, and ridges were also present in the surface along with gaps within its seams.{{cite news |last1=Kelley |first1=Steve |title=Necessary evil: Kingdome's 'chamber of horrors' artificial surface needs improving |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12F8680A441E30CE%25402445952-12F863079323B8EA%254022-12F863079323B8EA%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 8, 1984 |page=C1 |via=NewsBank}} These factors combined to create a playing surface that was despised by both football and baseball players alike; after the 1998 season, a survey by the NFL Players Association found that 56.7 percent of Seahawks players rated the surface as "poor" or "fair", and was the worst-rated one in the AFC West.{{cite news |title=Kingdome turf rated worst in AFC West, but if the money's right ... |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1999/01-30/0060_kingdome_turf_rated_worst_in_afc_.html |access-date=April 1, 2021 |work=Kitsap Sun |date=January 30, 1999}}

Injuries from playing at the Kingdome and its contemporaries occurred more often compared to stadiums with natural grass.{{Cite magazine|title=Just An Awful Toll|date=August 12, 1985|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1985/08/12/just-an-awful-toll|last=Underwood|first=John|access-date=April 1, 2021|publisher=Time Inc.}} Of note, Seahawks running backs Sherman Smith and Curt Warner respectively suffered season-ending knee injuries in 1980 and 1984 during games at the Kingdome; additionally, the Kingdome's surface is partly blamed for Ken Griffey Jr.'s subsequent injuries and decline in performance after the Mariners traded him to the Cincinnati Reds at the end of the 1999 season.{{cite news |last1=Lyons |first1=Gil |title=Knox says Curt's skills, not Astroturf, caused injury |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12F867FCA11D9364%25402445949-12F8612F73E13209%254058-12F8612F73E13209%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 5, 1984 |page=E1 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite news |last1=Lyons |first1=Gil |title=Hawks' Smith out for season with knee injury |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12ED3DCD6429D435%25402444506-12ED32BA0BB89EFE%254026-12ED32BA0BB89EFE%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 23, 1980 |page=D1 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite news |title=Skip the what-ifs, and celebrate what Ken Griffey Jr. is on the verge of doing |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/skip-the-what-ifs-and-celebrate-what-ken-griffey-jr-is-on-the-verge-of-doing/ |access-date=April 1, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 3, 2008}}

The expansion Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL) played their first game ever on August 1, 1976, a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Kingdome in which they lost 27–20 before a crowd of 60,825.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tLsSAAAAIBAJ&pg=2818%2C74470 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |agency=Associated Press |last=Baker |first=Tony |title=Seahawks lose opening game |date=August 2, 1976 |page=15 }} The Seahawks' first regular season game was against the St. Louis Cardinals at the Kingdome on September 12. The Cardinals defeated the Seahawks, 30–24, with 58,441 fans in attendance. At the end of that season, the venue hosted the Pro Bowl, the NFL's all-star game, on January 17, 1977.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DvpLAAAAIBAJ&pg=5989%2C218977 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=Pro battle of pride set in Dome tonight |date=January 17, 1977 |page=15 }}

The Seahawks hosted Monday Night Football games at the Kingdome twelve times in their history and were 9–3 in those games. The Seahawks and the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders played five Monday Night games in the Kingdome in the 1980s with Seattle holding a 3–2 edge including a 37–0 blowout victory in 1986.{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/game_query.cgi?tm1=sea&tm2=rai&yr=all |title=All Matchups, Seattle Seahawks vs. Las Vegas/LA/Oakland Raiders |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=April 14, 2021}} The next year, in 1987, Bo Jackson of the Los Angeles Raiders rushed for 221 yards, the most ever on MNF, and scored 2 touchdowns. One of his scores was a 91-yard touchdown and the other was a historic plowing into Seahawks high-profile rookie linebacker Brian "The Boz" Bosworth.

The Seahawks regularly sold out games at the Kingdome from its inception and throughout the 1980s; 117 consecutive regular-season home games were sold out between 1979 and 1993. However, after Ken Behring took over ownership of the team from the Nordstrom family in 1988, the team began to decline in performance; after winning the AFC West that year, it suffered a franchise-worst 2–14 record in 1992. Season ticket sales, which had reached 62,000 that year with a waiting list of 30,000, gradually decreased to 46,000 in 1995, with the team averaging 46,218 in attendance over five games at the Kingdome in 1994; as a result, the Seahawks began failing to sell out games, resulting in their blackout in the Seattle market. After the blackout of the October 24, 1993 game versus the New England Patriots, one more game was blacked out that year, with five games blacked out the following year; KING-TV, which as Seattle's NBC affiliate was the Seahawks' local broadcast home at the time, prevented further blackouts by purchasing all remaining unsold tickets for three games in 1993 and two games in 1994.{{cite news |last1=Newberry |first1=Ron |title=In Search Of An Audience Seahawks' Ticket Sales Hit All-Time Low; One Longtime Fan Couldn't Give Seats Away |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/aug/18/in-search-of-an-audience-seahawks-ticket-sales/ |access-date=March 18, 2021 |work=The Spokesman-Review |date=August 18, 1995}}

In the Seahawks' heyday, the Kingdome was known as one of the loudest stadiums in the league. Opposing teams were known to practice with jet engine sounds blaring at full blast to prepare for the painfully high decibel levels typical of Seahawks games.{{cite news |last1=Arnold |first1=Kirby |title=Noisy farewell bid the Dome |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1999/12-27/0024_noisy_farewell_bid_the_dome.html |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=Kitsap Sun |date=December 27, 1999}} It was where Seahawks fans, who were long called "the 12th Man" and led the Seahawks to retire the number 12 in honor of them in 1984, made their reputation as one of the most ravenous fan bases in the NFL, a reputation that has carried over to what is now Lumen Field. The Kingdome's reputation contributed to the NFL's 1989 vote in favor of enacting a rule penalizing home teams for excessive crowd noise; it was especially loathed by Seahawks fans during preseason games, with fan displeasure throughout the league leading commissioner Pete Rozelle to soften enforcement of the rule before the start of the regular season.{{cite web |last1=Jenks |first1=Jayson |title=Remembering the time the NFL tried to silence its fans |url=https://theathletic.com/1446285/2019/12/11/remembering-the-time-the-nfl-tried-to-silence-its-fans/ |url-access=subscription |website=The Athletic |access-date=March 19, 2021 |date=December 11, 2019}} Raucous Seahawk fans at the Kingdome were also some of the earliest performers of The Wave.{{cite news |last=Barber |first=Michael A. |date=December 19, 1983 |title=First-rate reason to party: Seahawks in the playoffs |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |pages=A1, A3 |quote=They were part of The Wave yesterday, that unique Seahawk expression of fan unity – a spontaneous cheer that sweeps over the crowd as they stand and yell in unintelligible tongues for, each one believes, "my" football team. [...] There's also The Wave. No one has figured out what triggered this phenomenon of football. It begins as a roar in one end of the stadium and continues around, as each section of fans fumes up and yells to keep The Wave going. No one has figured out what all those people say when they yell, either. It is nothing intelligible. They just scream their hearts out.}}

The city of Seattle made numerous bids to host the Super Bowl during the Seahawks' tenure at the Kingdome. However, despite five bids over 12 years, the Kingdome was never awarded the opportunity to host a Super Bowl; its closest chance was in 1989 for Super Bowl XXVI, which was awarded to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota.{{cite web |last1=Krawczynski |first1=Jon |title=How the 1992 Super Bowl came to be, and paved the way for another big game in the Twin Cities |url=https://theathletic.com/230275/2018/02/03/super-bowl-minneapolis-1992-2018-xxvi-lii-metrodome-us-bank-stadium-marilyn-carlson-nelson/ |url-access=subscription |website=The Athletic |access-date=March 24, 2021 |date=February 3, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Craig |title=Don't rule out possibility of Super Bowl in Seattle just yet |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article25864465.html |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=The News Tribune |date=January 25, 2014}} In its 1982 bid for Super Bowl XIX, the Seattle City Council voted to give tax exemptions to the NFL if the league selected the Kingdome to host the game.{{cite news |title=Sports Briefs |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/06/02/Sports-Briefs/9385391838400/ |access-date=March 24, 2021 |publisher=United Press International |date=June 2, 1982 |language=en}}

The Seahawks played their final game at the Kingdome on January 9, 2000, suffering a first-round playoff loss to the Miami Dolphins in their first playoff appearance since the 1988 season. The Dolphins scored a fourth-quarter touchdown to win 20–17; it marked the first home playoff loss for the Seahawks as well as the first road playoff win in 28 years for the Dolphins.{{cite magazine |last1=King |first1=Peter |title=Like Old Times Playing as if he were still in his prime, Dan Marino led Miami over Seattle with a vintage fourth-quarter drive |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2000/01/17/like-old-times-playing-as-if-he-were-still-in-his-prime-dan-marino-led-miami-over-seattle-with-a-vintage-fourth-quarter-drive |access-date=March 24, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |publisher=Time, Inc. |date=January 17, 2000 |language=en-us}}{{cite news |last1=Nobles |first1=Charlie |title=N.F.L. WILD-CARD PLAYOFFS; Whistling Past The Graveyard In the Kingdome |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/09/sports/nfl-wild-card-playoffs-whistling-past-the-graveyard-in-the-kingdome.html |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=January 9, 2000}} It was the last NFL victory for Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino and head coach Jimmy Johnson, and it was also the last event the Kingdome ever hosted before its implosion.{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Ken |title=Jaguars flay Dolphins, 62-7; 2nd-worst playoff loss; Marino: sad farewell? |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2000-01-16-0001160035-story.html |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=January 16, 2000}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thisgreatgame.com/ballparks-kingdome.html |title=The Ballparks: Seattle Kingdome |publisher=This Great Game |access-date=October 1, 2018 |quote=Shortly after the Kingdome’s final event—a Seahawks playoff game on January 9, 2000—the same blueprints used to erect the stadium were dusted off to give demolition crews a good idea of how to bring it down.}} The Seahawks had an overall record of {{winning percentage|101|83|record=y}} in the Kingdome, and were 2–1 in the postseason.{{cite web |title=Seattle Kingdome History |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/stadiums/SEA98.htm |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=April 14, 2021 |language=en}}

The first football (and college football by extension) game played in the Kingdome occurred just after it opened in 1976, when the Washington Huskies varsity team won 10–7 against a team of Husky alumni on May 1 before 20,470 fans.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Phil |title=Varsity Wins; No Fireworks |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A142FE773BA94746A%2540EANX-NB-16E9FD7EB95E4351%25402442901-16E9F795DFD1DD84%254018-16E9F795DFD1DD84%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=May 2, 1976 |page=C1 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite news |last1=Rockne |first1=Dick |title=Varsity tops Alumni, 10–7 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E0BF7CCDAF5E3C%25402442901-12E0ADD765770A1F%2540132-12E0ADD765770A1F%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=May 2, 1976 |page=H1 |via=NewsBank}} The Huskies looked into temporarily renting the Kingdome for the 1987 season when the north grandstand of Husky Stadium collapsed during construction on February 25; however, the Kingdome was ultimately not needed as the grandstand was completed in time for the team's first home game against the Stanford Cardinal on September 5.{{cite news |last1=Rockne |first1=Dick |title=After The Fall - The collapse at Husky Stadium leaves answered questions for the university, the project coordinator and UW football fans |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB5323CC1895C34 |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 26, 1987 |page=D4 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite web |last1=Lange |first1=Greg |title=Husky Stadium collapses on February 25, 1987. |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/2947 |website=HistoryLink |access-date=May 22, 2021 |date=January 18, 2001}} (Seven years later, the Seattle Seahawks would use Husky Stadium as their home field during the first half of the 1994 season while the Kingdome's ceiling was under repair.)

The Kingdome also hosted a game between the Washington State Cougars and USC Trojans on October 9, 1976.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FvQjAAAAIBAJ&pg=2977%2C3490770 |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |last=Missildine |first=Harry |title=Thompson's key in 'Dome Bowl' |date=October 9, 1976 |page=13 |via=Google News}} With 37,268 in attendance, USC running back Ricky Bell rushed for 346 yards and set the Pac-8 single-game rushing record; the Trojans won by nine points, {{nowrap|23–14.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MOVVAAAAIBAJ&pg=5045%2C2225785 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |title=Bell runs for 346 yards as USC clips Cougars |date=October 10, 1976 |page=6C |via=Google News}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F_QjAAAAIBAJ&pg=5856%2C4249851 |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |last=Missildine |first=Harry |title=Ricky Bell leads SC's 23–14 win |date=October 10, 1976 |page=D1 |via=Google News}}{{cite web |last=Perry |first=Jim |url=http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091201aab.html |title=Ricky Bell: 'The Bulldog' |access-date=November 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117120017/http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091201aab.html |archive-date=November 17, 2007 |url-status=dead }}}} In 1994, under then-new athletic director Rick Dickson, the Cougars flirted with the idea of hosting an additional home game at the Kingdome starting in 1997; however, the plan never came to fruition.{{cite news |last1=Rockne |first1=Dick |title=Cougar Notebook -- WSU Football In Kingdome? Ad Studies Possibility |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19940907&slug=1929338 |access-date=March 19, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 7, 1994}}

{{anchor|Challenge Bowl}}In the late 1970s, the Kingdome hosted both instances of a Pacific-10 Conference all-star game called the Challenge Bowl; the bowl, sponsored by the Olympia Brewing Company, pitted an all-star team of Pac-10 players against a similar team from another conference. The Pac-10 went undefeated with a 27–20 victory (as the Pac-8) over the Big Ten on January 15, 1978, and a 36–23 victory over the Big Eight on January 13, 1979.{{cite news |last1=Hill |first1=Craig |title=Remembering Kingdome football, 40 years after first Seahawks game |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article101376657.html |access-date=March 19, 2021 |work=The News Tribune |date=September 12, 2016}}

During the same period, the University of Puget Sound Loggers and Pacific Lutheran University Lutes also faced off at the Kingdome twice; the Loggers won both contests, defeating the Lutes 23–21 on September 17, 1977, with 13,167 in attendance, and then defeating them again 27–14 on September 23, 1978, before a crowd of 8,329.{{cite news |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Vince |title=U.P.S. nips Lutes before 13,167 in Kingdome |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E551EC1D4B6A95%25402443405-12E54BC8307F6DBA%2540138-12E54BC8307F6DBA%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 18, 1977 |page=H11 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite news |last1=Rudman |first1=Steve |title=Small Crowd Sees UPS Win |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A142FE773BA94746A%2540EANX-NB-16F2DCFCB02649F5%25402443776-16F1E30D64E3BBA6%254047-16F1E30D64E3BBA6%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 22, 2021 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=September 24, 1978 |page=D8 |via=NewsBank}} The 1977 game set a series attendance record at the time.{{cite book |title=University of Puget Sound vs. Pacific Lutheran University Official Program, 1984 |date=1984 |publisher=Tacoma Athletic Commission |page=1 |url=https://cdn4.sportngin.com/attachments/document/0132/7803/1984_vs_UPS_Program.pdf |chapter=1983 Reunion Sets Attendance Record}}

The stadium also hosted the annual WIAA high school football state championships in an event called the Kingbowl from 1977 through 1994;{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ODxOAAAAIBAJ&pg=4877%2C6094558 |work=Spokesman-Review |title=Kingbowl forecast is 30,000 |date=November 29, 1977 |page=19}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ap0SAAAAIBAJ&pg=6825%2C900045 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |title=What a show! |first=Merle |last=Derrick |date=December 5, 1977 |page=19}} the title games were moved to the Tacoma Dome in nearby Tacoma in 1995.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4ERWAAAAIBAJ&pg=2754%2C6073305 |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |agency=Associated Press |title=Washington moves games to Tacoma |date=May 25, 1995 |page=2D }}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=82FWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6649%2C4266266 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |last=Trimmer |first=Dave |title=Tacoma Dome plan brings up questions about sites of semis |date=June 15, 1995 |page=C3}}

The Seattle and Tacoma Police Departments played a yearly game named the Bacon Bowl to raise money for charity from 1980 to 2005; the Kingdome hosted it from the beginning until 1982, then had a one-off in 1985 during a nine-year span in which the Tacoma Dome hosted the rest of the games. The Kingdome hosted the game again from 1992 to 1994 before it returned to the Tacoma Dome; the game came back for one final time in 1999 before the stadium was demolished.{{cite book |title=1998 Seattle vs Tacoma Police Football Bacon Bowl |date=1998 |publisher=Bacon Bowl Association |location=Tacoma |page=72 |url=https://issuu.com/tacomasportsmuseum/docs/toolarge2003.02.05reduced |language=en |access-date=March 24, 2021 |via=Issuu}}{{cite news |title=Seattle Vs. Tacoma In Charity Bacon Bowl |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19991021&slug=2990236 |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 21, 1999}}{{cite news |last1=Castro |first1=Hector |title=Police play for charity in Bacon Bowl |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Police-play-for-charity-in-Bacon-Bowl-1126635.php |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=October 10, 2003}}

Shortly after the Pilots' departure for Milwaukee, the city of Seattle, King County, and the state of Washington sued the American League, claiming a breach of contract. The league agreed to grant Seattle another franchise in exchange for dropping the lawsuit, and the team that would later be known as the Seattle Mariners was born.{{Cite magazine|title=Marinermania: How A Tottering Team's Bid For A Wild-Card Berth Turned Into A Late-Season Frenzy-- And Saved Baseball In Seattle|date=February 5, 1996|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/02/05/marinermania-how-a-tottering-teams-bid-for-a-wildcard-berth-turned-into-a-lateseason-frenzy-and-saved-baseball-in-seattle|last=Verducci|first=Tom|access-date=March 25, 2021|publisher=Time Warner}}

The Mariners held their first game in franchise history at the Kingdome on April 6, 1977, against the California Angels. The Angels shut out the Mariners 7–0 in front of a sellout crowd of 57,762.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA197704060.shtml|title=California Angels at Seattle Mariners Box Score, April 6, 1977|website=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=May 16, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Finnigan |first1=Bob |title=The Fun House -- The Kingdome Holds Many Memories - Good, Bad And Zany - For The Mariners And Their Fans |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19990627&slug=2968836 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 27, 1999}} The first pitch was a strike thrown by the Mariners' Diego Seguí to Jerry Remy.{{cite web |last1=Brock |first1=Corey |title='The one game they didn't have': The tale of the lost Mariners tapes |url=https://theathletic.com/1722706/2020/04/06/the-one-game-they-didnt-have-the-tale-of-the-lost-mariners-tapes/ |url-access=registration |website=The Athletic |access-date=May 17, 2021 |date=April 6, 2020}}{{NoteTag|Incidentally, Seguí was a relief pitcher for the Pilots in their first game when they faced the Angels at Anaheim Stadium on April 8, 1969.{{cite web |last1=Stein |first1=Alan J |title=Seattle Pilots play their first game on April 8, 1969. |url=https://historylink.org/File/1022 |website=HistoryLink |access-date=May 17, 2021 |date=April 8, 1999}}}} In the top of the first inning, Don Baylor registered the first hit at the stadium with a double that scored Remy, who had stolen second and third base after drawing a walk from Seguí. The Mariners' first batter, Dave Collins, struck out; however, the next batter, José Báez, singled for the franchise's first ever hit.{{cite web |last1=Wilma |first1=David |title=Seattle Mariners play their first baseball game in Seattle on April 6, 1977. |url=https://historylink.org/File/3419 |website=HistoryLink |access-date=May 17, 2021 |date=July 2, 2001}} The first home run at the venue was hit in the top of the third inning by Joe Rudi; designated hitter Juan Bernhardt scored the Mariners' first home run in their fifth game at the Kingdome on April 10.{{cite web|title=Club Firsts|url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/history/club-firsts|publisher=MLB Advanced Media|website=Mariners.com|access-date=May 12, 2019}}{{cite news |title=M's 1st HR And Win At Safeco |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ms-1st-hr-and-win-at-safeco/ |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=CBS News |agency=Associated Press |date=July 17, 1999}} The Mariners had their first win at the Kingdome and team history two games after the opener (they were also shut out in their second game 2–0), defeating the Angels 7–6 on April 8 via a walk-off double from Larry Milbourne.{{cite web |title=California Angels at Seattle Mariners Box Score, April 8, 1977 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA197704080.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=May 17, 2021 |language=en}} The venue hosted the All-Star Game on July 17, 1979.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qk8NAAAAIBAJ&pg=6536%2C1968731 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |last=Feeney |first=Charley |title=50th All-Star Game tonight |date=July 17, 1979 |page=13 |via=Google News}}

The Kingdome was somewhat problematic as a baseball venue. Foul territory was quite large, and seats in the upper deck as far as {{convert|617|ft}} from home plate.{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Curt|author-link=Curt Smith (author)|title=Storied Stadiums|url=https://archive.org/details/storiedstadiumsb00curt|url-access=registration|year=2001|publisher=Carroll & Graf|location=New York City|isbn=0-7867-1187-6}} Part of the problem was that the Kingdome was not a multipurpose stadium in the truest sense. Instead, it was built as a football stadium that could convert into a baseball stadium. For instance, most fans in the outfield seats on the 300 level were unable to see parts of right and center field; these areas were not part of the football playing field.

File:10 inside kindome.jpg in July 1997]]

For most of the Mariners' first 18 years, their poor play (they did not have a winning season until 1991) combined with the Kingdome's design, led to poor attendance. Some writers and fans called it "the Tomb" (because of its gray concrete and lack of noise) and "Puget Puke." After their inaugural home opener, the Mariners didn't have another sellout for the next 1,018 home games until their 1990 home opener on April 13.{{cite news |last1=Sherwin |first1=Bob |title=My Oh My, Just Like Old Times -- First M's Sellout Witnesses A 15- 7 Drubbing In Opener |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19900414&slug=1066381 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=April 14, 1990}} At one point the Mariners covered seats in the upper decks in right and right-center with a tarp in order to make the stadium feel "less empty". Additionally, the Kingdome's acoustics created problems for stadium announcers, who had to deal with significant echo issues.{{cite web|url=http://1995mariners.com/2009/03/13/a-conversation-with-mariners-announcer-tom-hutyler/ |title=A Conversation With Mariners Announcer Tom Hutyler |website=1995mariners.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618075830/http://1995mariners.com/2009/03/13/a-conversation-with-mariners-announcer-tom-hutyler/ |archive-date=June 18, 2009 }} However, when the team's fortunes began to change in the mid-1990s and they began drawing larger crowds, especially in the post-season, the noise created an electric atmosphere and gave the home team a distinct advantage similar to the effect on football games.{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Paul |title=MARINERS COUNT ON EAR-SPLITTING, DOME-FIELD EDGE |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-10-17-9510170262-story.html |access-date=March 19, 2021 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=October 17, 1995}} The average attendance of 22,064 in 1995 was the lowest in three years with the removal of nine home games for the season, but when put in perspective, it was still higher compared to any of the Mariners' first 14 seasons.{{cite news |title=Despite Huge Crowds Late, M'S Attendance Hits Three-Year Low |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/oct/01/despite-huge-crowds-late-ms-attendance-hits-three/ |access-date=March 19, 2021 |work=The Spokesman-Review |date=October 1, 1995}}

Despite its cavernous interior, the Kingdome's field dimensions were relatively small. It had a reputation as a hitter's park, especially in the 1990s when Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martínez, Jay Buhner, Alex Rodriguez, and other sluggers played there.{{Cite magazine|title=At Home In The Dome|date=May 18, 1981|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1981/05/18/at-home-in-the-dome-designated-hitter-richie-zisk-zaps-em-in-the-cozy-confines-of-seattles-ball-park|last=Swift|first=E.M.|access-date=March 25, 2021|publisher=Time Inc.|pages=57–58}}{{cite news |title=They're called 'Domeruns,' in acknowledgment that a home run... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/04/15/Theyre-called-Domeruns-in-acknowledgment-that-a-home-run/6454356158800/ |access-date=March 25, 2021 |publisher=United Press International |date=April 15, 1981}}

The large number of in-play objects—speakers, roof support wires and streamers—contributed to an "arena baseball" feel.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Dave |title=Sports of The Times; Domeball: It's Not Baseball |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/08/sports/sports-of-the-times-domeball-it-s-not-baseball.html |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=April 8, 1982 |page=B17}} The Kingdome was somewhat improved in 1982 with the addition of a {{convert|23|ft|adj=on}} wall in right field nicknamed the "Walla Walla" (after the city in southeastern Washington); a nearly $100,000 Daktronics out-of-town scoreboard was later installed on it in 1990.{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Tom |title=Left-handed power hitters should find home runs a little... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/01/06/Left-handed-power-hitters-should-find-home-runs-a-little/6056379141200/ |access-date=March 25, 2021 |publisher=United Press International |date=January 6, 1982}}{{cite news |last1=Sherwin |first1=Bob |title=Scoreboard To Put Mariner Fans On-Line |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=A2FB36B0D8714A7C9BA0382F4B401AE2&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB533DFDDF84739 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 12, 1990 |page=D2 |via=NewsBank}} In 1990 and 1991, the moving of home plate closer to the backstop, the addition of box seats down the third base line and the removal of a few rows of seats in left field reduced foul territory and made the outfield dimensions longer and asymmetrical.{{cite news |last1=LaRue |first1=Larry |title=Kingdome, Like Mariners, May Get a Facelift |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-12-sp-2241-story.html |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=McClatchy News Service |date=November 12, 1989}}{{cite news |title=THE SIDELINES : Kingdome Stretching Its Left |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-05-sp-5637-story.html |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 5, 1990}}

In its early years, the outfield was symmetrical with a uniform wall height: deep in center, and short elsewhere. For the All-Star Game in 1979, center field was {{convert|410|ft}}, power alleys were {{convert|357|ft}}, and the foul lines were {{convert|316|ft}}; the unpadded wall was green with a top yellow stripe, approximately {{convert|12|ft|spell=in}} in height and did not have the power alley distances listed on it.{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMJK6CA6G3Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/OMJK6CA6G3Y |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=1979 MLB All-Star Game (Seattle)|date=July 12, 2017|type=Original TV broadcast|publisher=NBC|orig-date=July 17, 1979|access-date=May 4, 2020|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Down the lines, the distance was also listed in fathoms (52.7 fm), presumably to maintain a nautical theme in line with the team name; however, this practice was ditched after the 1980 season. Like the Kingdome's contemporaries, the bullpens were located in foul territory adjacent to the baselines and the stands.{{cite book |last1=Pennington |first1=Bill |title=Chumps to Champs: How the Worst Teams in Yankees History Led to the '90s Dynasty |date=2019 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |location=Boston |isbn=9781328849878 |page=263 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-1VkDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA263 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |language=en |chapter=Chapter 29: "Did That Just Happen?" |quote=McDowell was one of ten Yankees pitchers or coaches in the bullpen, which was no more than three benches, a tub of Gatorade and a pitcher's mound in foul territory near the right-field stands.}}{{cite news |last1=Bernstein |first1=Dan |title=Behind the demise of on-field bullpens in MLB and their lasting imprint on the game |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/mlb/news/behind-the-demise-of-on-field-bullpens-in-mlb-and-their-lasting-imprint-on-the-game/458yz76uf8mw1qn5t1sc5ixfy |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=Sporting News |publisher=DAZN Group |date=August 27, 2019}}

The longest game in the Kingdome took place on July 30, 1998, when the Cleveland Indians defeated the Mariners 9–8 in 17 innings via a three-run homer from Manny Ramirez off Bob Wells; Paul Shuey staved off a comeback by the Mariners in the bottom of the inning to end the game the next morning after five hours and 23 minutes.{{cite news |last1=Wittenmyer |first1=Gordon |title=M's endure a long night's journey to defeat |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1998/07-31/0019_m_s_endure_a_long_night_s_journey.html |access-date=April 1, 2021 |work=Kitsap Sun |date=July 31, 1998}}{{cite news |title=Griffey Hits 41st But Loses In 17th |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/griffey-hits-41st-but-loses-in-17th/ |access-date=April 1, 2021 |work=CBS News |date=July 31, 1998}}

The most noteworthy baseball game in the Kingdome's history took place on October 8, 1995; in the rubber game of the ALDS, the Mariners defeated the New York Yankees 6–5 in 11 innings in front of 57,411 raucous fans. In the bottom of the 11th, Martinez doubled to left, sending Joey Cora and Griffey home with the winning runs and vaulting the Mariners into the ALCS for the first time in franchise history.

On May 2, 1996, a game at the Kingdome between the Mariners and the Cleveland Indians was suspended in the bottom of the seventh inning because of a minor earthquake. The earthquake, estimated at a magnitude of 5.3 to 5.4, occurred during a pitching change as Indians' pitcher Orel Hershiser was walking off the mound following a home run by Edgar Martínez.{{cite news |last = Saperstein |first = Aliya |title = Not even a quake could crack the Dome |access-date = March 25, 2021 |publisher = Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date = March 27, 2000 |page = E11 |url = https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=A2FB36B0D8714A7C9BA0382F4B401AE2&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB04BC33B326A4E |via = NewsBank}}{{cite news |last1=Condotta |first1=Bob |title=Take a trip down memory lane with the best — and worst — memories of the Kingdome |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/take-a-trip-down-memory-lane-with-the-best-and-worst-memories-of-the-kingdome/ |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 26, 2020}} After an inspection by engineers, the game was continued the next evening, resulting in a 6–4 win for the Indians.{{cite news |title=Kingdome Not Damaged By Quake, Experts Say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/05/04/kingdome-not-damaged-by-quake-experts-say/de729286-0f80-4ccd-8706-dfaceb04c96a/ |access-date=March 20, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |agency=Associated Press |place=Seattle |date=May 4, 1996 |page=H5 |id={{ProQuest|1030603929}}}}

Seguí, who retired from professional baseball after the 1977 season, was invited by the Mariners to throw the ceremonial last pitch after the final Mariners game at the Kingdome in 1999. However, while they were able to make the tickets and reservations for Seguí, a payment mix-up prevented him from boarding the flight out of Kansas City International Airport on the day of the game; the incident made him irate such that he refused to visit Seattle again until 2012, when he was invited as part of the Mariners' 35th anniversary celebration.{{cite news |last1=Mosher |first1=Terry |title=Segui forever linked to Seattle |url=https://archive.kitsapsun.com/news/terry-mosher--segui-forever-linked-to-seattle-ep-415969877-355934621.html/ |access-date=May 17, 2021 |work=Kitsap Sun |date=September 10, 2013 |language=en}} Despite the disappointment from Seguí's son, then-Mariners first baseman David Segui, the ceremony went on as planned; David's son, then-seven-year-old Cory Segui, threw the last pitch to Bob Stinson, who was the Mariners' catcher in their first game.{{cite news |last1=Cour |first1=Jim |title=Diego Segui Misses Kingdome Farewell |url=https://apnews.com/article/38aeb68a72ee124032ff58890c9a6984 |access-date=May 17, 2021 |publisher=Associated Press |date=June 27, 1999}}

In 1989, Griffey Jr. hit a home run in his first-ever plate appearance at the Kingdome on April 10. On June 27, 1999, Griffey Jr. hit the last home run ever at the Kingdome against the Texas Rangers.{{cite news |title=24 for No. 24: Ken Griffey Jr.'s most memorable moments |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/mlb/seattle-mariners/article91117797.html |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=The News Tribune |date=July 22, 2016}} The Mariners played 1,755 games at the Kingdome, compiling an overall home record of {{winning percentage|852|903|record=y}} during their 22½-season tenure there.{{cite news |last1=Andriesen |first1=David |title=Rangers DL lineup impressive - back spasms force Pudge to stay behind |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F30F7B31A2846AF |access-date=August 28, 2021 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=April 20, 2002 |page=C3 |via=NewsBank}}

File:Kingdome usage, 1980 (32523178267).jpg

Besides the Mariners and Seahawks, the stadium also hosted the Seattle SuperSonics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) for seven seasons. The SuperSonics, having previously played at the Seattle Center Coliseum, announced on July 29, 1977, that they intended to move into the Kingdome for the 1978–79 season after the expiration of their contract with the city of Seattle, the owner of the Coliseum; the team pushed for a move to the Kingdome after the city balked at a $30 million plan to expand the Coliseum to 20,000 seats the previous year.{{cite news |last1=Heberlein |first1=Greg |title=Kingdome gets new tenant |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E5548C14C43C9D%25402443355-12E3AA1B2EFF3D6D%254045-12E3AA1B2EFF3D6D%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 19, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 30, 1977 |page=D2 |via=NewsBank}} On August 22, the King County Council voted 7–2 to approve a 17-year lease with the SuperSonics, with the agreement signed the following day.{{cite news |last1=MacLeod |first1=Alex |title=Ruano seeks referendum on Sonics' move |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E45137A31E2A6E%25402443379-12E44C40DF2B502F%25400-12E44C40DF2B502F%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 19, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 23, 1977 |page=1 |via=NewsBank}} The following week, the council unanimously voted on August 29 to spend $1.5 million on improvements to the Kingdome in preparation for the team; the team would pay the same amount over the first seven years as part of the agreement.{{cite news |last1=Katz |first1=Dean |title=Fund OK'd for Sonics shift |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E4513E4C607B22%25402443386-12E3AA0A0C49617B%254013-12E3AA0A0C49617B%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 19, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 30, 1977 |page=A14 |via=NewsBank}} Additional terms of the agreement had the SuperSonics pay the county 10 percent of ticket sale proceeds (not including admissions taxes) and $2,539 in personnel costs per game; the county additionally kept all game concession and parking revenue. On the same day as the agreement signing, longtime Kingdome critic Frank Ruano filed a referendum petition in an attempt to halt the move, but he announced on September 17 that he would withdraw support from the petition for lack of support.{{cite news |last1=Heberlein |first1=Greg |title=Ruano quits fighting Sonics' move |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E551EC1D4B6A95%25402443405-12E54B0AD0570785%25400-12E54B0AD0570785%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 19, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 18, 1977 |page=1 |via=NewsBank}}

While the SuperSonics had played a few games at the Kingdome over the previous two seasons, their full-time tenancy required the addition of 5,000 portable stadium seats added onto the floor of the arena as well as additional scoreboards and a new basketball court.{{cite news |last1=Attner |first1=Paul |title=Bullets, Sonics Meet Again |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1978/10/25/bullets-sonics-meet-again/0214c802-b9c6-45d0-968c-479c15f18abb/ |access-date=March 23, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 25, 1978}}{{cite news |last1=Meyers |first1=Georg N. |title=11 'last' chances for Sonics in old home |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E65C2272EBE27F%25402443559-12E656CAC837BDEB%2540115-12E656CAC837BDEB%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 18, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 19, 1978 |page=G1 |via=NewsBank}} The center circle of the court was positioned over first base, with the court itself laid parallel and adjacent to the right-field seats; the portable seats were positioned across the court with one end hovering over home plate.{{cite news |title=The 'cozy Kingdome' |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E65C2272EBE27F%25402443559-12E5FAF0D75BDDD2%2540124-12E5FAF0D75BDDD2%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 18, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 19, 1978 |page=G10 |via=NewsBank}}

The first SuperSonics game in the Kingdome under the agreement was an exhibition game versus the Portland Trail Blazers on September 22, 1978.{{cite news |last1=Heberlein |first1=Greg |title=Sonics debut tonight in Dome |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E8432AF3EDBC97%25402443774-12E83C0ECE958015%254028-12E83C0ECE958015%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 19, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 22, 1978 |page=C1 |via=NewsBank}} A few weeks later, a crowd of 15,219 watched as the SuperSonics defeated the Chicago Bulls, 104–86, on October 14 in their first regular-season game as a tenant.{{cite news |last1=Heberlein |first1=Greg |title=Whoosh! Sonics fly past Bulls, 104–86 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E800E5ADEAAC91%25402443796-12E7EFD1CE425518%254048-12E7EFD1CE425518%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 19, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 14, 1978 |page=E1 |via=NewsBank}} Captain Fred Brown and leading scorer Gus Williams helped lead the team to their first and only championship that season, defeating the Washington Bullets in the Finals and avenging their Finals loss to them the previous season.{{cite news |last1=Rosen |first1=Jeff |title=Sonics pay homage to past |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2004/03-26/433335_sonics_pay_homage_to_past.html |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=Kitsap Sun |date=March 26, 2004}} At the time, the Kingdome was known in the NBA for being the noisiest arena for basketball and for having the largest crowds, with stadium vendor Bill Scott ({{aka}} Bill the Beerman) taking the duties as cheerleader.{{cite news |last1=O'Neil |first1=Danny |title=Voice that filled Kingdome came straight from heart |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/voice-that-filled-kingdome-came-straight-from-heart/ |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 27, 2007}}{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Jim |title=Bill Scott, 1949-2007: 'Beerman' lifted everyone's spirits |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Bill-Scott-1949-2007-Beerman-lifted-1232359.php |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=March 26, 2007}}

In the 1979–80 season, the SuperSonics set an NBA record average attendance of 21,725 fans per game (since broken).{{Cite news | last = Richardson | first = Kenneth | title = Sonics Going Dome Tonight: Hawks in Rare Kingdome Visit | newspaper = Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date = January 27, 1989 | url = https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=A2FB36B0D8714A7C9BA0382F4B401AE2&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB0491234440987 | access-date = March 23, 2021 | via = NewsBank}}{{cite web |last1=Frandsen |first1=Mike |title=Seattle's Last Title: SuperSonics' 1979 NBA Finals Win over Washington Bullets |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1945151-seattles-last-title-supersonics-1979-nba-finals-win-over-washington-bullets |website=Bleacher Report |publisher=Turner Broadcasting System |access-date=March 23, 2021 |date=February 1, 2014}} The SuperSonics set the NBA single-game playoff attendance record at 39,457 during Game 4 of the 1978 NBA Finals; they set it again on April 15, 1980, during a conference semifinal game against the Milwaukee Bucks with an attendance record of 40,172 (also since broken).{{cite web |last1=Katz |first1=Fred |title=From a poor start to the Finals: How the 1978 SuperSonics made a run similar to the Nationals |url=https://theathletic.com/1323310/2019/10/25/from-a-poor-start-to-the-finals-how-the-1978-supersonics-made-a-run-similar-to-the-nationals/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=March 23, 2021 |date=October 25, 2019 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Bucks Beat Sonics for 3-2 Lead |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1980/04/17/bucks-beat-sonics-for-3-2-lead/5c4ee841-3d0e-4bd2-8dfb-c24b31d7f7bf/ |access-date=March 23, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 17, 1980 |page=F4 |id={{ProQuest|147219431}}}} The Kingdome regular season, single-game attendance record of 38,067 was set on November 22, 1991, when the SuperSonics faced the Chicago Bulls.{{Cite news | title = Jordan Finds a Groove In Time to Edge Sonics | newspaper=The New York Times | agency = Associated Press | date = November 24, 1991 | url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE6D61431F937A15752C1A967958260 }}

While leaving a SuperSonics game on February 16, 1983, a 21-year-old man from Olympia fell off a ramp and plunged 47 feet to his death; this was despite the installation of signs warning about the chest-level barriers the previous year.{{cite news |title=Fan Dies in Fall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/18/sports/fan-dies-in-fall.html |access-date=March 31, 2021 |work=The New York Times |agency=United Press International |date=February 18, 1983}}

Logistics would be a problem throughout the team's tenure at the Kingdome because the Seahawks and Mariners had scheduling priority over them, especially during the playoffs when the Mariners were playing there at the same time in the spring.{{cite news |last1=McCready |first1=Eldredge |title=So Long, Kingdome - Tomorrow Marks The End Of 'Dome Era' For Sonics |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=A2FB36B0D8714A7C9BA0382F4B401AE2&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB531334AB91EA9 |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=April 6, 1985 |page=C1 |via=NewsBank}} As part of the 1977 agreement, King County agreed to pay the SuperSonics $15,000 for each game (up to five) that was moved elsewhere because of booking issues. Even then, the scheduling priority meant that the SuperSonics would only play home playoff games at the Kingdome while the Mariners were on the road, with most of the games played at the Coliseum; the team even had to use Hec Edmundson Pavilion at the University of Washington for a few games when both the Kingdome and the Coliseum were unavailable.{{cite news |last1=DuPree |first1=David |title=Weary Sonics Open Series With Fresh, Favored Lakers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1980/04/22/weary-sonics-open-series-with-fresh-favored-lakers/1e7fac88-df1d-4677-91e0-e258ad987bf0/ |access-date=March 23, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 22, 1980}}

Along with the scheduling issues, as with other multipurpose stadiums used by the NBA the Kingdome proved itself to be a less-than-ideal venue for basketball.{{cite news |last1=Sakamoto |first1=Bob |title=Sonics Roll Past Bulls |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-11-03-8503150417-story.html |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=November 3, 1985}}{{cite news |title=SuperSonics Aren't Returning to Tacoma |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-04-28-sp-21488-story.html |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |date=April 28, 1985}} Although the Kingdome's capacity allowed the SuperSonics to set attendance records, the vast space it afforded meant that it did not have the intimate environment of a dedicated arena; furthermore, fans were displeased about the poor sight lines and cold temperatures in the Kingdome. All these factors, plus dwindling attendance due to poor team performance towards the end of their tenancy at the Kingdome, led SuperSonics general manager Zollie Volchok to sign a 10-year contract with the city of Seattle in 1983, agreeing to have the team move back to the Coliseum after the 1984–85 season in exchange for upgrades there.

The SuperSonics faced the Phoenix Suns at the Kingdome on April 7, 1985, in their final game as a regular tenant, losing 110–125 with 5,672 in attendance.{{cite web |title=Phoenix Suns at Seattle SuperSonics Box Score, April 7, 1985 |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198504070SEA.html |website=Basketball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=May 18, 2021 |language=en}} However, exemplifying the scheduling issues, it was not their final home game of the season; the SuperSonics were forced to play at the Tacoma Dome on April 11 because the Mariners hosted the Oakland Athletics at the Kingdome that day. By that point, the SuperSonics had an average attendance of 7,399, failing to surpass 10,000 seats sold in 29 of 37 games held at the Kingdome in their final season there.

Despite calling the Coliseum home again, the SuperSonics still played occasionally at the Kingdome over the next few years when large crowds were anticipated; as such, the SuperSonics hosted the 1987 NBA All-Star Game there, having previously hosted the 1974 game at the Coliseum before the Kingdome opened.{{cite news |last1=Farrey |first1=Tom |title=The Bottom Line -- Television Pays The Bills -- Sonics: Lost Money Until New NBC Contract |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19910728&slug=1296758 |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 28, 1991}}{{cite news |title=Seattle chosen for 1987 NBA All-Star Game |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/10/10/Seattle-chosen-for-1987-NBA-All-Star-Game/3992497764800/ |access-date=March 23, 2021 |publisher=United Press International |date=October 10, 1985 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Cotton |first1=Anthony |title=Fill-In Chambers Is All-Star MVP As West Prevails |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1987/02/09/fill-in-chambers-is-all-star-mvp-as-west-prevails/5483a34d-bab7-4996-bcdd-2f5873456088/ |access-date=March 23, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 9, 1987}} However, SuperSonics owner Barry Ackerley, who had bought the team from Sam Schulman in October 1983 after the Coliseum deal was signed, started seeking a new arena for them in 1989; team president Bob Whitsitt claimed that the Coliseum was outdated and leaking.{{cite news |title=SuperSonics Sold |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/15/sports/supersonics-sold.html |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=October 15, 1983}}{{cite news |last1=Granberry |first1=Michael |title=Arena Official Cautious About Sonics' Interest |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-04-sp-1386-story.html |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 4, 1989}} Ackerley proposed to build a new arena south of the Kingdome (where T-Mobile Park stands today{{cite news |title=Mariners Favor Site South of Kingdome |url=https://apnews.com/article/e809395ac599e9e048150c835de54c83 |access-date=June 11, 2021 |publisher=Associated Press |date=April 30, 1996}}), but the plan was initially rejected by King County because of objections from the Seahawks and Mariners over inadequate parking.{{cite news |title=Kingdome or Tacoma Dome interim home for Sonics? |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/02/15/Kingdome-or-Tacoma-Dome-interim-home-for-Sonics/6859635058000/ |access-date=March 23, 2021 |publisher=United Press International |date=February 15, 1990}} The plan was eventually approved by the Seattle City Council 7–1 on May 30, 1990, but it was ultimately scrapped the following year on June 26 because of issues in financing it; as a compromise measure, the Coliseum was rebuilt as KeyArena during the 1994–95 season, with the SuperSonics playing home games at the Tacoma Dome instead of the closer Kingdome in the meantime.{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Robert T. |title=City's OK Merely First Step In Ackerley's Arena Quest |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19900530&slug=1074471 |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=May 30, 1990}}{{cite news |last1=Lilly |first1=Dick |title=New Sonics Arena Dead - Financing Troubles Sideline Ackerley |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19910626&slug=1291209 |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 26, 1991}}{{cite news |last1=Atkin |first1=Ross |title=Seattle Supersonics Will Play 'Out of Town' All Next Season |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1994/0802/02151.html |url-access=limited |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=August 2, 1994}} The SuperSonics played at KeyArena until they were controversially relocated to Oklahoma City by owner Clay Bennett after the 2007–08 season.{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Genna |last2=McNertney |first2=Case |title=The day the Sonics came to Seattle |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/local/seattle-history/article/The-day-the-Sonics-came-to-Seattle-13300055.php |access-date=March 23, 2021 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=October 11, 2018}}

The SuperSonics played 303 games at the Kingdome in total, including 14 playoff games; they held an overall record of {{winning percentage|208|95|record=y}} and a playoff record of {{winning percentage|8|6|record=y}} at the stadium. Of those games, 20 of them had attendances of 30,000 or more.{{cite news |last1=Raley |first1=Dan |title=Basketball had its Dome moments, too |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB04BC33A23D589 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=March 27, 2000 |page=E5 |via=NewsBank}}

The first men's college basketball game at the Kingdome was held on January 9, 1984, when the Washington Huskies defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 63–61, in the second overtime in front of 7,466 fans.{{cite news |last1=Schwarzmann |first1=Bob |title=Huskies' Germans conquer the Irish - Schrempf, Welp star in win |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12F7C163B4103818%25402445710-12F7BE946F704086%25408-12F7BE946F704086%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=August 28, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=January 10, 1984 |page=B1 |via=NewsBank}} The Huskies held their only other basketball game at the Kingdome more than a decade later, defeating the Old Dominion Monarchs 71–61 on December 22, 1994, with 4,187 in attendance.{{cite news |last1=Peoples |first1=John |title=NCAA, Huskies winners in Dome - UW rehearsal proves venue set for Final 4 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB53799E6F6356E |access-date=August 28, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=December 23, 1994 |page=C4 |via=NewsBank}}

The only women's basketball game at the Kingdome was held on December 6, 1979, when the Soviet national team beat Seattle University 135-45, before 7,239 spectators.{{cite news |last1=Schwarzmann |first1=Bob |title=Soviets run, pass, shoot, - and win |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12EAE01C6FBECACB%25402444215-12EAA416A830C3C2%254029-12EAA416A830C3C2%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=August 28, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=December 7, 1979 |page=D1 |via=NewsBank}}

The NCAA Final Four of men's college basketball was held three times at the Kingdome, with the stadium hosting the 1984, 1989, and 1995 editions. The 1984 championship game saw the Georgetown Hoyas defeat the Houston Cougars, 84–75.{{cite news |last1=Asher |first1=Mark |title=1984 NCAA Basketball Championship |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1984/04/04/1984-ncaa-basketball-championship/bbff452c-a3fc-4c59-b01e-a43aba1995f1/ |access-date=March 24, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 4, 1984}} Meanwhile, the 1989 championship game had the Michigan Wolverines beat the Seton Hall Pirates, 80–79, in overtime because of a controversial last-second foul call against the Pirates.{{cite news |last1=Markus |first1=Don |title=They're Still Talking About the Call Against the Hall |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-09-sp-1804-story.html |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 9, 1989}} Finally, with the 1995 championship game, the UCLA Bruins defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks, 89–78, to win their first championship since the retirement of coach John Wooden twenty years earlier in 1975.{{cite news |last1=Helfand |first1=Zach |title=Twenty years ago, Tyus Edney saved UCLA's last NCAA title run |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-1995-champs-20150316-story.html |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 16, 2015}}

The Kingdome was not the first venue in Seattle to host the Final Four; Hec Edmundson Pavilion had previously hosted it in 1949 and 1952. However, the Kingdome is credited with helping shape the Final Four into an event with a stature comparable to that of the Super Bowl because of its large capacity. It was the only such capable venue on the West Coast of the United States; the last time a non-Seattle West Coast site hosted the game was when the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena hosted it in 1972. The 1995 edition was the last time that Seattle hosted a Final Four, and it will likely remain that way for the foreseeable future since the Kingdome's successors were not designed with a controlled environment in mind; it also remains the last time that the Final Four was held on the West Coast.{{cite news |last1=Newnham |first1=Blaine |title=Without A Venue Like Kingdome, Seattle Has Seen Last Final Four |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19980327&slug=2741871 |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 27, 1998}} The Final Four was not held again in the Western United States until 2017, when University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, hosted it for the Phoenix area.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/03/26/2017-march-madness-the-final-four-from-a-to-z/|title=2017 March Madness: The Final Four from A to Z|last=Stevens|first=Patrick|date=March 26, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=March 24, 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=Jeff |title=Phoenix ('17) among cities to land Final Four |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11876673/phoenix-host-men-final-four-first-2017 |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=ESPN |date=November 14, 2014 |language=en}}

On February 18, 1979, the Harlem Globetrotters held an exhibition game at the Kingdome with close to 23,000 in attendance, of which around 3,500 were under 12 years old.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Lenny |title=Trotters a Smash Hit |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A142FE773BA94746A%2540EANX-NB-16F04ABDC7B3F662%25402443923-16EF968321C97F3B%254036-16EF968321C97F3B%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=August 28, 2021 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=February 18, 1979 |page=D2 |via=NewsBank}}

As a result of the boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics by the United States, the U.S. Olympic team faced off against a squad of NBA players in a six-game exhibition tournament called the "Gold Medal Series" that June. On June 20, the NBA All-Stars defeated the U.S. Olympic team, 78–76, before a crowd of 10,902; it was the only victory by the NBA squad in the tournament.{{cite news |last1=Herberlein |first1=Greg |title=Westphal leads pros past Olympians |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12EC490BEA28C7B7%25402444412-12EC375F46DD6DE7%254048-12EC375F46DD6DE7%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=August 28, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 21, 1980 |page=D1 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite web |title=Games of the XXIInd Olympiad -- 1980 |url=https://www.usab.com/history/national-team-mens/games-of-the-xxiind-olympiad-1980.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429202259/http://www.usab.com/history/national-team-mens/games-of-the-xxiind-olympiad-1980.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 29, 2015 |website=USA Basketball |access-date=August 28, 2021 |date=June 10, 2010}}

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) held their 3A and 4A high school basketball state tournament five times at the Kingdome between 1993 and 1999. The boys' and girls' games were held simultaneously until the championship, at which point they took turns playing on a single court.

The Seattle Sounders of the North American Soccer League (NASL) were the first tenant to move into the Kingdome upon its opening, having played at Memorial Stadium for their first two seasons.{{Cite magazine|title=In a Kingdome by the Sea|date=April 19, 1976|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1976/04/19/in-a-kingdome-by-the-sea|last=Jares|first=Joe|volume=44|issue=16|pages=85–86|access-date=March 18, 2021|publisher=Time Inc.}} As a result, they held the honor of hosting the first sporting event at the Kingdome with an exhibition game versus the New York Cosmos on April 9, 1976; the Cosmos defeated them 3–1 with 58,128 fans in attendance. Highlighting the secondary treatment of the Sounders, about 5,000 seats were not yet installed when the game occurred.{{cite news |last1=Pentz |first1=Matt |title=Sounders, Pele and the huge crowd at the Kingdome |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-pele-and-the-huge-crowd-at-the-kingdome/ |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=April 9, 2016}}{{cite news |last=O'Keefe |first=Vincent |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E0BF5E4D355DCA%25402442879-12E0BB522D474A58%254038-12E0BB522D474A58%2540/hlterms%3A |date=April 10, 1976 |title=The King (Pele) stars in Kingdome |page=D1 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 22, 2021 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite web |last1=Drosendahl |first1=Glenn |title=Kingdome's first sporting event, an exhibition soccer match between the Seattle Sounders and New York Cosmos, draws crowd of 58,128 on April 9, 1976. |url=https://historylink.org/File/11000 |work=HistoryLink |access-date=February 23, 2021 |date=December 20, 2014}} Just weeks later, they hosted their first regular-season game in the Kingdome on April 26, defeating the Portland Timbers 1–0 via a Geoff Hurst penalty kick in the second overtime before 24,983 spectators.{{cite news |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Vince |title=Sounders wipe out frustration |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E0BC58B8AFD06A%25402442895-12E0B0DF893C04DA%254022-12E0B0DF893C04DA%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=April 26, 1976 |page=B1 |via=NewsBank}}

The largest crowd to attend a Sounders match, regular or postseason, occurred on August 25, 1977, when 56,256 spectators watched as they defeated the Los Angeles Aztecs 1–0 in the second game of the Pacific Conference Final to advance to their first Soccer Bowl.{{cite news |last1=Meyers |first1=Georg N. |title=If ever the Kingdome was going to crumble... |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E451395F507456%25402443382-12E44EBFA4BDB6B7%254026-12E44EBFA4BDB6B7%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 26, 1977 |page=C1 |via=NewsBank}} The Sounders' regular-season attendance record was set on August 9, 1980, when the Cosmos defeated them 1–0 in front of 49,606 fans.{{cite news |last1=Parietti |first1=Walt |title=Cosmos give Sounders the boot, 1–0 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12ED3B4DCB250E19%25402444462-12ED2B7D434537C0%254028-12ED2B7D434537C0%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 10, 1980 |page=B1 |via=NewsBank}} Overall, the team drew an average attendance of 20,183 from 1975 to 1982, peaking in the 1980 season with an average attendance of 24,247.{{cite news |last1=Massey |first1=Matt |title=Seattle loved the Sounders of '74 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20040506&slug=sounders06 |access-date=March 18, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=May 6, 2004}}{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Craig |title=SOUNDERS: 1974-83 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12F623586E3FAC16%25402445592-12F61AD4D46ED94B%254061-12F61AD4D46ED94B%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=August 28, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 14, 1983 |page=E1 |via=NewsBank}}

Along with traditional soccer, the Sounders participated in NASL indoor soccer for the 1980–81 and 1981–82 seasons.{{cite news |last1=Yannis |first1=Alex |title=N.A.S.L. Is Going Indoors in Big Way |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/06/sports/nasl-is-going-indoors-in-big-way.html |access-date=March 18, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=December 6, 1981 |page=S12}}{{cite news |title=Timbers-Sounders Game Opens NASL Indoor Season |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19811203&id=Wp0cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F2gEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6757,1147061 |access-date=March 18, 2021 |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |agency=United Press International |date=December 3, 1981 |page=15B |via=Google News}} However, the 1983 outdoor season proved to be a dire one for the Sounders; with the team's front office heavily cutting costly foreign players from the roster, the team suffered their worst season ever performance-wise, resulting in a record low average attendance of 8,181. That season additionally saw the smallest crowd to attend a Sounders game, with only 4,270 spectators on hand to witness their 3–1 victory over the Tulsa Roughnecks on July 27. With the cuts not enough to keep the team afloat, the owners ultimately elected to fold it that year on September 6; their final home game was a 3–2 victory over the San Diego Sockers on August 25 with 7,331 fans in attendance.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Heather |title=Original Seattle Sounders (1974-1983) |url=https://historylink.org/File/4219 |access-date=March 18, 2021 |work=HistoryLink |date=July 20, 2003}}{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Craig |title=Close shave: Sounders win by whisker |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12F629DD05F6EDF4%25402445572-12F622882708D8AE%254066/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 25, 1983 |page=E1 |via=NewsBank}}

The Kingdome hosted the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship Finals twice in consecutive years. The final on December 17, 1984, featured the Clemson Tigers, coached by Dr. I. M. Ibrahim, and defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers, headed by coach Jerry Yeagley; 7,926 spectators watched as the Tigers won 2–1 in regulation to bring home their first national championship in soccer and deny the Hoosiers a third straight title.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Craig |title=Will Seattle get another shot at soccer final? |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12F91D9D74A2C049%25402446052-12F9188CF3E64A1F%254027-12F9188CF3E64A1F%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 19, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=December 17, 1984 |page=B9 |via=NewsBank}} A year later, on December 14, 1985, a crowd of 5,986 watched as the UCLA Bruins defeated the American Eagles 1–0 after eight overtime periods to win their first national soccer championship; Bruin coach Sigi Schmid went on to coach the Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer (MLS), a phoenix club of the NASL Sounders, from its inaugural season in 2009 to 2016.{{cite news |last1=Edes |first1=Gordon |title=UCLA Wins Longest NCAA Soccer Final in 8th Overtime, 1-0 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-12-15-sp-622-story.html |access-date=March 19, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 15, 1985}}{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Geoff |title=Sigi Schmid, Sounders' first MLS coach, dies at 65 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sigi-schmid-the-sounders-original-coach-dies-at-65/ |access-date=March 19, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=December 26, 2018}}

A game of the 1976 U.S.A. Bicentennial Cup tournament was held at the Kingdome on May 28, with Brazil defeating Team America 2–0 before 20,245 spectators.{{cite news |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Vince |title=Brazilians beat Team America, 2-0 |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E1076B34F039FA%25402442928-12E105A30D3A110C%254016-12E105A30D3A110C%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=May 29, 1976 |page=C1 |via=NewsBank}}

The Kingdome also hosted the NASL's championship game, the Soccer Bowl, between the Minnesota Kicks and the Toronto Metros-Croatia on August 28, 1976; the Metros-Croatia defeated the Kicks 3–0 before a crowd of 25,765, setting an NASL championship attendance record at the time.{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Michael |title=How Eusébio and a team of Canadian Croatians took North American soccer by storm |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/feb/11/how-eusebio-and-a-team-of-canadian-croatians-took-north-american-soccer-by-storm |access-date=March 18, 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=February 11, 2015 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Toronto Records Soccer Bowl Win |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19760829&id=BCFOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nO0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5541,5535255 |access-date=March 18, 2021 |work=The Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |date=August 29, 1976 |via=Google News}}

A CONCACAF Championship qualifier for the 1978 FIFA World Cup was hosted at the Kingdome on October 20, 1976; the game, which saw the United States defeat Canada 2–0 before a crowd of 17,675, was the first instance of a World Cup qualifier that was held indoors.{{cite news |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Vince |title=Speedy U. S. booters win |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12E1A62E275D4D01%25402443073-12E1657C8592D7A5%254075-12E1657C8592D7A5%2540/hlterms%3A |access-date=May 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 21, 1976 |page=G1 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite book |last1=Lisi |first1=Clemente Angelo |title=A History of the World Cup, 1930–2010 |date=March 28, 2011 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |location=Lanham, Maryland |isbn=9780810877542 |page=144 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VVni5qj0cvIC&pg=PA144 |access-date=May 23, 2021}}

A doubleheader featuring both the U.S. Olympic and national squads was held at the Kingdome on February 3, 1979.{{cite news |last1=Yannis |first1=Alex |title=U.S. Soccer Squads Regrouping |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/21/archives/us-soccer-squads-regrouping-local-matters-have-long-reach-cup-squad.html |access-date=June 11, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=January 21, 1979 |page=S9}} The U.S. Olympic team defeated the Canadian Olympic team 2–0 in the first game, while the Soviet national team defeated the U.S. national team 3–1 in the second game; 13,317 spectators were present for both games.{{Cite magazine|title=Coming of age in Seattle|date=February 12, 1979|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1979/02/12/coming-of-age-in-seattle-on-the-us-olympic-and-national-teams-the-accent-is-on-youth-the-olympians-zapped-both-canada-and-mexico-but-the-big-squad-got-bounced-by-the-ussr|last=Reed|first=J. D.|pages=42, 44|publisher=Time Inc.}}

The Kingdome was additionally considered in Seattle's bid to be a host city for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, but it was rejected in favor of Husky Stadium because of concerns over its indoor environment and its turf; the bid ultimately failed in part because of apprehension from the University of Washington.{{cite web |last1=Pentz |first1=Matt |title='Seattle deserves this': Inside their second bid to be a World Cup host city |url=https://theathletic.com/2455512/2021/03/17/2026-world-cup-seattle/ |url-access=subscription |website=The Athletic |access-date=May 23, 2021 |date=March 17, 2021}}

Upon its opening, the Kingdome served as one of the main convention centers in Seattle alongside the Seattle Center Coliseum.{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Herb |title=Too many domes? |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB5317A0563899A |department=Editorial |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 6, 1985 |page=A18 |via=NewsBank}} During preliminary studies for the then-proposed Washington State Convention Center (now the Seattle Convention Center) in the early 1980s, a proposal to build it on the stadium's northern parking lot was floated, but it was never seriously considered and ultimately rejected by the convention center board in favor of building it in the Downtown area.{{cite news |last1=Mahoney |first1=Sally Gene |title=Designs for state convention center unveiled |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12F3835C0FFBED2E%25402445369-12F3259BDB403EE6%254036-12F3259BDB403EE6%2540/hlterms%3A |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 3, 1983 |page=C2 |via=NewsBank}}{{cite news |last1=Schaefer |first1=David |title=Convention center to be at freeway site |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A127D718D1E33F961%2540EANX-NB-12F3DABE7A1D3901%25402445426-12F3849271263BDF%25400-12F3849271263BDF%2540/hlterms%3A |work=The Seattle Times |date=April 1, 1983 |page=A1 |via=NewsBank}}

The largest crowd to attend a single event in the Kingdome came early, during an eight-day Billy Graham crusade in 1976. The Friday night edition on May 14 drew 74,000 and featured singer Johnny Cash; 5,000 were turned away.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zEJPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5524%2C2523600 |newspaper=Ellensburg Daily Record |agency=UPI |title=Graham packs 'em in |date=May 15, 1976 |page=6}}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2kJPAAAAIBAJ&pg=3799%2C2579254 |newspaper=Ellensburg Daily Record |agency=UPI |title=Billy Graham crusade drew |date=May 17, 1976 |page=8}} The stadium was also part of Seattle's bid to host the 1988 Republican National Convention, but it ultimately failed because of a scheduling conflict with the Mariners.{{cite news |last1=Balter |first1=Joni |title=Mariner schedule throws curve at GOP |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=C12EB6BE1393489FA580F5880B8B058E&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB531F8759C1EAD |work=The Seattle Times |date=August 22, 1986 |page=C1 |via=NewsBank}}

Country singer CW McCall performed 8 shows during the 4-day Custom Van, Truck, 4-Wheel Drive and Motorcycle Show, March 17–20, 1977.

{{cite news| date = March 19, 1977| title = Advertisement| newspaper = Seattle Times| page = C2}}

The Kingdome hosted a round of the AMA Supercross Championship from 1978 to 1999.{{cite news |last1=Dougherty |first1=Gary |title=Supercross – Big bikes will run at Kingdome for last time |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19990129&slug=2941211 |access-date=April 20, 2022 |work=The Seattle Times |date=January 29, 1999 |page=E2}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.amasupercross.com/MediaGuide/SXMediaGuide_15_lores.pdf |title=2015 AMA Supercross media guide |access-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013092314/http://www.amasupercross.com/MediaGuide/SXMediaGuide_15_lores.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Numerous rock concerts were held in the venue, despite significant echo and sound delay problems attributable to the structure's cavernous size.{{cite news |title=Kingdome looms large in Seattle's concert history |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20000326&slug=4011961 |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=March 26, 2000}}

The loss of the Sounders and Sonics in the mid-1980s caused financial constraints as the Kingdome was left with 59 unfilled days in their annual schedule.{{cite news |last=Gordon |first=Bill |date=October 23, 1983 |title=Million-dollar woes for Kingdome |page=A1 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}} By the 1990s, multi-purpose stadiums fell out of favor with the public, and the Kingdome's suitability as an NFL and MLB venue came into doubt as a result. Neither the Seahawks' nor the Mariners' respective ownership groups saw the shared stadium arrangement as economically feasible because the Kingdome was unable to meet the needs of both tenants; they also noted the lack of revenue-generating luxury suites prominent in newer stadiums. After several years of threats to relocate the Mariners because of poor attendance and revenue, then-owner Jeff Smulyan put the team up for sale on December 6, 1991; he subsequently received approval by MLB to sell the team to an ownership group led by Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi on June 10, 1992.{{cite news |last1=Farrey |first1=Tom |last2=Balter |first2=Joni |title=M's Sale Gets Go-Ahead -- Full Acceptance Of Offer Predicted For Tomorrow |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19920609&slug=1496316 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 9, 1992}} Almost immediately, the new ownership group began campaigning with local and state governments to secure public funding for a new baseball-only stadium. In March 1994, King County Executive Gary Locke appointed a task force to study the need for a baseball-only stadium.{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Mike |title=Taxpayers Off Hook For Safeco Field - Mariners Drop Attempt To Recoup Cost Overruns From The Public |url=https://infoweb-newsbank-com.access-proxy.sno-isle.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=A2FB36B0D8714A7C9BA0382F4B401AE2&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB04BEECFA35E92 |url-access=registration |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=February 16, 2001 |page=B1 |via=NewsBank}}

The Kingdome's roof had been problematic from the beginning because of a design flaw. With the stadium's limited budget compared to its contemporaries, its architects had the roof's acoustic ceiling tiles serve a dual purpose as forms to pour concrete over for the roof sections. They were firmly placed via six metal clips on their edges, but the effectiveness of the clips was weakened as moisture from the polyurethane insulation accumulated in the tiles because it lacked proper water vapor management. As a result, leaks were discovered in the roof three months before the stadium opened, and several attempts at repairs made the situation worse or were quickly undone.{{cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19940828/1927603/years-of-fixes-turned-leaky-kingdome-roof-into-sodden-disaster----flawed-from-the-start-structure-fell-prey-to-birds-bad-weather-bad-maintenance|title=Years Of Fixes Turned Leaky Kingdome Roof Into Sodden Disaster|last=Nalder|first=Eric|author2=Guillen, Tomas |date=August 28, 1994|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=April 8, 2010}}

In 1993, the county decided to strip off the outer roof coating and replace it with a special coating. Sandblasting failed to strip the old roof material off, and the contractor changed its method to pressure washing. This pressure-washing resulted in water seepage through the roof, and on July 19, 1994, four {{convert|26|lb|kg|adj=on}}, waterlogged acoustic ceiling tiles fell into the seating area. The tiles fell while the Mariners were on the field preparing for a scheduled game against the Baltimore Orioles, a half-hour before the gates were to open for fans to enter the stadium. As a result, the Kingdome was closed for repairs.{{cite news |last1=Condotta |first1=Bob |title=Ten years after the Kingdome tiles fell |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001982925_tile19x.html |access-date=March 26, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=July 19, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041206082222/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001982925_tile19x.html |archive-date=December 6, 2004}}

The Mariners were forced to play the last 20 games of the 1994 season on the road after the players' union vetoed playing the "home" games at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, or a neutral site because the union believed that its members should play only in major-league venues. The extended road trip could have lasted over two months, but it was shortened because of the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike, which began on August 12 and ended up canceling the remainder of the 1994 MLB season; the strike also resulted in a delay to the start of the 1995 season. The Seahawks had to play both their two preseason home games and their first three regular-season home games of the 1994 season at nearby Husky Stadium.

The Kingdome held a reopening ceremony the weekend of November 4–6, 1994, which culminated with the Seahawks returning to the stadium for a regular-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals.{{cite news|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19941103/1939516/dome-to-reopen-with-repair-budget-in-red----work-on-time-but-overruns-keep-climbing|title=Dome To Reopen With Repair Budget In Red|last=Schaefer|first=David|date=November 3, 1994|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=April 9, 2010}} Repairing the roof ultimately cost US$51 million, and two construction workers lost their lives in a crane accident on August 17 during the repair. The incident also motivated plans to replace the stadium.

File:Kingdome implosion.jpg

On September 19, 1995, King County voters defeated a ballot measure that would have funded the construction of a new baseball-only stadium for the Mariners. However, the following month, the Mariners made it to the MLB postseason for the first time and, on October 8, defeated the New York Yankees in the decisive fifth game of the 1995 ALDS on the heels of a walk-off game-winning double hit by Edgar Martínez. The Mariners' postseason run demonstrated that there was a fan base in Seattle that wanted the team to stay in town, and as a result, the Washington State Legislature approved a separate funding package for a new stadium on October 14.{{cite web |last1=Drosendahl |first1=Glenn |title=Safeco Field, the Seattle Mariners' long-sought stadium, opens on July 15, 1999. |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/9565 |publisher=HistoryLink |access-date=February 23, 2021 |date=September 11, 2010}}{{cite news |last1=Postman |first1=David |title=Legislature OKs plan for stadium - but county must pass taxes; Dome repairs not covered |url=https://infoweb-newsbank-com.access-proxy.sno-isle.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=A2FB36B0D8714A7C9BA0382F4B401AE2&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB53822C1B68EC5 |url-access=registration |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=October 15, 1995 |page=A1 |via=NewsBank}}

In January 1996, Seahawks owner Ken Behring announced he was moving the team to Los Angeles and the team would play at Anaheim Stadium, which had recently been vacated as a football venue when the Los Angeles Rams moved to St. Louis (at the same time, the Los Angeles Raiders returned to Oakland, after 13 years away). His rationale for the decision included unfounded safety concerns surrounding the seismic stability of the Kingdome. Behring went so far as to relocate team headquarters to Anaheim, California, but his plans were defeated when lawyers found out that the Seahawks could not break their lease on the Kingdome until 2005. As a result, Behring tried to sell the team. He found a potential buyer in Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who stipulated that a new publicly funded stadium had to be built as a condition of his purchase of the team.{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Bart |title=Allen goes long to purchase Seahawks |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1996/04-21/345937_allen_goes_long_to_purchase_sea.html |access-date=February 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022073405/https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1996/04-21/345937_allen_goes_long_to_purchase_sea.html |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |work=Kitsap Sun |publisher=Gannett |date=April 21, 1996 |url-status=live}} Allen funded a special election held on June 17, 1997, that featured a measure that would allocate public funding for a new stadium for the Seahawks on the Kingdome site. The measure passed, Allen officially purchased the team, and the Kingdome's fate was sealed.{{cite web |last1=Crowley |first1=Walt |title=Washington voters approve funding for new Seahawks Stadium on June 17, 1997. |url=https://historylink.org/File/3582 |publisher=HistoryLink |access-date=February 23, 2021 |date=September 22, 2001}}{{cite magazine |title=Paul Allen Ventures into Seattle Election |url=https://www.wired.com/1997/06/paul-allen-ventures-into-seattle-election/ |access-date=February 23, 2021 |magazine=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast |date=June 19, 1997 |language=en-us}}

Despite the intention of the Mariners to start playing at their new home at the beginning of the 1999 season, construction delays meant that installation of its retractable roof would not occur on time, leading to another sale threat by the team's owners.{{cite news |title=Seattle Mariners may use Kingdome for an extra year |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=860&dat=19970214&id=2oEeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8coEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1650,2365727 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=Ellensburg Daily Record |agency=Associated Press |date=February 14, 1997 |page=11 |via=Google News}} However, the team eventually agreed to play at the Kingdome from the start of the season until after the All-Star Game, with construction on the new home starting on March 8, 1997.{{cite news |last1=Cour |first1=Jim |title=Final piles driven for Mariners' new $414 million stadium |url=https://apnews.com/article/81d2fedb7ced9d1712daa89f20fce7bb |access-date=March 25, 2021 |publisher=Associated Press |date=July 17, 1997}}{{cite news |title=Mariners Break Ground On Their Future |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/mar/09/mariners-break-ground-on-their-future/ |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=The Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |date=March 9, 1997}} Two years later, a sold-out crowd of 56,530 watched as the Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 5–2 in their final game at the Kingdome on June 27, 1999; they played their first game at their new home, Safeco Field, nearly three weeks later on July 15.{{cite news |last1=Cour |first1=Jim |title=No Love Lost for Kingdome |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jun-27-sp-50611-story.html |access-date=March 25, 2021 |work=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |date=June 27, 1999}}{{cite news |last1=Maebori |first1=Jay |title=END OF AN ERA: Griffey turns off Dome lights |url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/1999/06-28/0018_end_of_an_era__griffey_turns_off_.html |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=Kitsap Sun |date=June 28, 1999}}

Meanwhile, the Seahawks temporarily relocated to Husky Stadium for two seasons following the 1999 season. To make way for construction of their new stadium, the Kingdome was stripped down and prepared for demolition. During the process, a security incident occurred on February 21, 2000, when a skateboarder disguised himself as a construction worker, climbed up onto the roof, and skated on it with two friends filming him on the nearby Alaskan Way Viaduct; demolition crews were unimpressed by the incident and implemented tighter security measures in response.{{cite news |last1=Tov |first1=Yom |title=I did the Dome: Skateboarder tells all |url=https://www.seattleweekly.com/news/i-did-the-dome-skateboarder-tells-all/ |access-date=March 30, 2021 |work=Seattle Weekly |publisher=Sound Publishing |date=October 9, 2006}}{{cite news |title=Dome pranksters may be charged |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20000225&slug=4006767 |access-date=March 30, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 25, 2000}} On the morning of March 26, 2000 at 8:30 AM, the Kingdome was demolished by Controlled Demolition, Inc. via implosion, just one day short of 24 years after the stadium's opening; it set a record recognized by Guinness World Records for the largest building, by volume, ever demolished by implosion.{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/030630/30unbuild.htm |title=Bringing Down The House |first=Michael |last=Satchell |date=June 22, 2003 |work=U.S. News & World Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523112000/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/030630/30unbuild.htm |archive-date=May 23, 2010 |access-date=September 8, 2010 |quote=There's the Seattle Kingdome (largest structure by volume)... |url-status=dead}} The Kingdome was the first large, domed stadium to be demolished in the United States; its demolition was also the first live event covered by ESPN Classic.{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001843703_domechart26.html |title=Great moments in dome history |first=Bill |last=Reader |date=January 26, 2004 |work=The Seattle Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524130639/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2001843703_domechart26.html |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |access-date=September 8, 2010 |quote=Seattle's very own Kingdome (1976) remains the only dome to be imploded. |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/junk.shtml |title=ESPN Classic to air Kingdome retrospective, implosion |date=March 20, 2000 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100909022335/http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/junk.shtml |archive-date=September 9, 2010 |access-date=September 8, 2010 |quote=...ESPN's SportsCenter will cut in for live coverage of the actual implosion -- the first live event ever televised by ESPN Classic. |url-status=dead}} The new stadium, Seahawks Stadium, eventually opened on July 20, 2002, in time for the beginning of the NFL season that year.

The Kingdome was demolished before the debt issued to finance its construction was fully paid, and as of September 2010, residents of King County were still responsible for more than $80 million in debt on the demolished stadium.{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002139916_qa_stadiumtax010405.html |title=Q&A: Stadium tax proposal |first1=Jim |last1=Brunner |first2=Bob |last2=Young |date=January 4, 2005 |work=The Seattle Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524065903/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002139916_qa_stadiumtax010405.html |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |access-date=September 8, 2010 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/sports/08stadium.html?ref=general&src=me&pagewanted=all |title = As Stadiums Vanish, Their Debt Lives On |first = Ken |last = Belson |date = September 7, 2010 |work = The New York Times |page = A8 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220618201514/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/sports/08stadium.html?_r=1&ref=general&src=me&pagewanted=all |archive-date = June 18, 2022 |access-date = September 8, 2010 |quote = Residents of Seattle's King County owe more than $80 million for the Kingdome, which was razed in 2000. |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all}} The debt was retired in March 2015, nine months ahead of the original bond maturity and 15 years after the stadium's demolition. The 2% of the 15.6% hotel/motel tax earmarked for the Kingdome debt no longer needed went instead to the county's 4Culture program for arts, heritage, and preservation.

{{col-begin}}{{col-break}}

{{col-break}}

{{col-break}}

{{col-break}}{{col-end}}

Because of its versatility and its prominent position in the Seattle skyline for close to a quarter-century, the Kingdome was featured in numerous forms of media during and after its existence. On television, it served as the backdrop for a rescue in the 1978 TV movie "Most Deadly Passage" of NBC's Emergency! series, which featured the work of Seattle Medic One paramedics.{{cite book |last1=Yokley |first1=Richard C. |last2=Sutherland |first2=Rozane |title=Emergency!: Behind the Scene |date=2008 |publisher=Jones and Bartlett Publishers |location=Sudbury, Massachusetts |isbn=9780763748968 |pages=270–272 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cixPyu5pCaUC&pg=PA270 |access-date=March 24, 2021 |chapter=Chapter 14: The Emergency! Movies}} It was also mentioned in 1992 with the airing of "Crushed", the sixteenth episode of the fifth season of ABC sitcom Full House; in the episode, guest star Tommy Page boasted to Jesse Katsopolis about playing there.{{Cite episode|series=Full House|title=Crushed|series-link=Full House|network=ABC|date=January 14, 1992|season=5|number=16|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR5QXwRjajI|access-date=March 24, 2021|transcript=Full House Scripts - Season 5: Episode 110 * Crushed|transcript-url=http://www.full-house.org/episodes/episodes_script_110.php|quote=Jesse: My pleasure. Thank you. You know, I dabble in music myself there, Tom. You may have heard of my band, Jesse and the Rippers? Tommy: Yeah, didn't you play in Seattle this summer? Jesse: Yes, we did. We played a little club near the university over there, yeah. Tommy: Cool. I was playing at the Kingdome. Jesse: That's nice if you're into big stadiums and a lot of money. I prefer small intimate places where I can split a pizza with my audience.}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} The Kingdome was mentioned again in 1998 during the sixth season of NBC sitcom Frasier, which was set in Seattle. In the sixth episode, "Secret Admirer", Martin describes Daphne's frustrating driving that repeatedly takes them right into various traffic delays, ending with them encountering traffic from the Kingdome.{{Cite episode|series=Frasier|title=Secret Admirer|series-link=Frasier|network=NBC|date=November 5, 1998|season=6|number=6|transcript=Transcript of Frasier Season 6 Episode 6|transcript-url=http://www.kacl780.net/frasier/transcripts/season_6/episode_6/secret_admirer.html|quote=So then Daphne takes a left on Madison. Bumper to bumper all the way to Pike. Then a right on Pike. And what do you know? King Dome [sic] traffic!}} Furthermore, the Kingdome's demolition was featured on The History Channel's Modern Marvels series with their "Concrete" episode that first aired on May 31, 2000.{{Cite episode|series=Modern Marvels|title=Concrete|series-link=Modern Marvels|network=The History Channel|date=May 31, 2000|season=6|number=16|minutes=1}}

The Kingdome was not limited to just television mentions; numerous songs mentioned it in their lyrics. While playing with the Mariners, Lenny Randle recorded a song titled "Kingdome" with some of his teammates and family members in order to raise money to buy a speech synthesizer for a young fan with cerebral palsy.{{cite web |last1=Patrin |first1=Nate |title=Straight Off The Dome: Lenny Randle's Hip-Hop Crusade Against Mariners Malaise |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/straight-off-the-dome-lenny-randles-hip-hop-crusade-against-mariners-malaise/ |website=VICE |access-date=5 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205005405/https://www.vice.com/en/article/straight-off-the-dome-lenny-randles-hip-hop-crusade-against-mariners-malaise/ |archive-date=5 February 2025 |language=en |date=22 May 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |last1=Epstein |first1=Dan |title=Bloop Hits: Lenny Randle Gets Down |url=https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a-bit-outside/story/musical-stylings-of-lenny-randle-021215 |website=FOX Sports |access-date=5 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215013352/http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a-bit-outside/story/musical-stylings-of-lenny-randle-021215 |archive-date=15 February 2015 |language=en |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}} Rock band Foo Fighters mentioned the stadium in the refrain of "New Way Home", which was featured on their 1997 album, The Colour and the Shape.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IipJAYA1p4I |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/IipJAYA1p4I |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live |title=New Way Home |author=Foo Fighters |date=January 25, 2017 |publisher=Roswell Records |orig-year=1997 |time=1:31 |quote=I pass boats and the Kingdome |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Rapper Macklemore also mentioned the Kingdome in "My Oh My", a 2011 song that paid tribute to Dave Niehaus, the longtime play-by-play announcer of the Mariners who had recently died; in it, he talks about growing up in Seattle and going to the Kingdome. The song mentions the Double in the Mariners–Yankees 1995 ALDS, and its accompanying music video also contains footage of the Kingdome's demolition.{{cite news |last1=Matson |first1=Andrew |title=Thinking about Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' rap tribute to Dave Niehaus, "My Oh My" |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/thinking-about-macklemore-and-ryan-lewis-rap-tribute-to-dave-niehaus-my-oh-my/ |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=January 4, 2011}}{{cite news |last1=McGarvey |first1=Sean |title=Seattle Mariners: My Oh My; Seattle Rapper's Tribute to Dave Niehaus |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/681567-seattle-mariners-my-oh-my-seattle-rappers-tribute-to-dave-niehaus |access-date=February 23, 2021 |work=Bleacher Report |publisher=Turner Broadcasting System |date=April 28, 2011 |language=en}}{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvNQWQSwmow |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/hvNQWQSwmow |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - My Oh My (Official Video) |last=Macklemore LLC |date=2011-01-12 |type=Music video |publisher=YouTube |author-link=Macklemore}}{{cbignore}}

With the rise of 3D computer graphics, video games started to depict the Kingdome as well. The Gran Turismo series of racing games on the PlayStation line of consoles featured the Kingdome in the Seattle Circuit race track, a street circuit based on the roads of Seattle.{{cite news |title=All Tracks Gran Turismo 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/10/all-tracks-gran-turismo-2 |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=IGN |date=December 9, 1999 |language=en}} Seattle Circuit is featured in Gran Turismo 2, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec, Gran Turismo 4, Tourist Trophy, and Gran Turismo PSP. Despite the Kingdome's demolition occurring before the game was released, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec still featured it in the track.{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Douglass C. |title=E3 2000: Gran Turismo 2000 Impressions |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/12/e3-2000-gran-turismo-2000-impressions |access-date=March 24, 2021 |work=IGN |date=May 11, 2000 |language=en}} The Kingdome also made an appearance in the 2007 RTS game World in Conflict, in which it was destroyed by Soviet artillery during a Soviet invasion of Seattle in an alternate timeline.{{cite web |last1=Howarth |first1=Robert |title=World in Conflict Single Player Previews |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/12/world-in-conflict-single-player-previews |website=IGN |access-date=March 24, 2021 |language=en |date=April 11, 2007}}

• Delta Dome
• Thin-shell structure
• List of thin shell structures

{{NoteFoot}}

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last1=Mullins |first1=William H. |year=2013 |title=Becoming Big League: Seattle, the Pilots, and Stadium Politics |publisher=University of Washington Press |location=Seattle |isbn=978-0-295-99425-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zv6OacnUs_cC&pg=PA38 |access-date=March 26, 2021 |language=en |via=Google Books}}

{{refend}}

{{Commons category|Kingdome}}

• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991022031156/http://www.metrokc.gov/stadium/ |date=October 22, 1999 |title=Official website }}
• [https://www.controlled-demolition.com/explosives-demolition/projects/the-seattle-kingdome/ The Story behind the implosion of The Seattle Kingdome]
• [http://www.historylink.org/essays/output.cfm?file_id=2164 Kingdome: The Controversial Birth of a Seattle Icon (1959–1976)]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn0qqc3EWhE Video of Kingdome implosion] via KING-TV

{{S-start-collapsible|header={{S-sta|et}}}}

{{Succession box

| title = Home of the
Seattle Seahawks

| years = 1976 – 1999

| before = first stadium

| after = Husky Stadium

}}

{{Succession box

| title = Home of the
Seattle Mariners

| years = 1977 – 1999

| before = first ballpark

| after = T-Mobile Park

}}

{{Succession box

| title = Home of the
Seattle SuperSonics

| years = 1978 – 1985

| before = Seattle Center Coliseum

| after = Seattle Center Coliseum

}}

{{Succession box

| title = NCAA Men's Division I
Basketball tournament
Finals Venue

| years = 1984
1989
1995

| before =

The Pit
Kemper Arena
Charlotte Coliseum

| after =

Rupp Arena
McNichols Sports Arena
Continental Airlines Arena

}}

{{Succession box

| title = Host of the NFL Pro Bowl

| years = 1977

| before = Louisiana Superdome

| after = Tampa Stadium

}}

{{Succession box|

| title = Host of the MLB All-Star Game

| years = 1979

| before = San Diego Stadium

| after = Dodger Stadium

}}

{{Succession box

| title = Host of the
NBA All-Star Game

| years = 1987

| before = Reunion Arena

| after = Chicago Stadium

}}

{{succession box

| title = Host of the College Cup

| years = 1984–1985

| before = Lockhart Stadium

| after = Tacoma Dome

}}

{{end}}

{{Seattle Seahawks}}

{{Seattle Mariners}}

{{Oklahoma City Thunder}}

{{Washington Huskies baseball navbox}}

{{AMA Supercross venues}}

{{NFL indoor venues}}

{{Defunct MLB Ballparks}}

{{Defunct NFL stadiums}}

{{Authority control}}

Kingdome King County Domed Stadium (demolished 2000)

Category:2000 disestablishments in Washington (state)

Category:Buildings and structures demolished by controlled implosion

Category:Defunct college baseball venues in the United States

Category:Defunct college football venues

Category:Defunct college soccer venues in the United States

Category:Defunct Major League Baseball venues

Category:Defunct NFL venues

Category:Defunct soccer venues in the United States

Category:Defunct indoor soccer venues in the United States

Category:Defunct American football venues in the United States

Category:Defunct baseball venues in the United States

Category:Defunct multi-purpose stadiums in the United States

Category:Demolished sports venues in Washington (state)

Category:Seattle Mariners stadiums

Category:Seattle Seahawks stadiums

Category:Seattle SuperSonics

Category:Seattle Sounders (1974–1983)

Category:Basketball venues in Washington (state)

Category:Soccer venues in Washington (state)

Category:American football venues in Washington (state)

Category:Baseball venues in Washington (state)

Category:Baseball venues in Seattle

Category:Multi-purpose stadiums in the United States

Category:Former NBA venues

Category:Architecture in Washington (state)

Category:Concrete shell structures

Category:Modernist architecture in Washington (state)

Category:Sports venues in Seattle

Category:Sports venues completed in 1976

Category:Sports venues demolished in 2000

Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) indoor venues

Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) stadiums

Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Washington (state)

Category:1976 establishments in Washington (state)

Category:Washington Huskies baseball

Category:Defunct covered stadiums