Yuengling Center#The Corral

{{Redirect|Sun Dome|other uses|SunDome (disambiguation){{!}}SunDome}}

{{Infobox venue

| stadium_name = Yuengling Center

| nickname = "The Keg"

| logo_image = 250px

| image = File:Sundomecloseup.JPG

| image_size =

| caption =

| former names = USF Sun Dome (1980–2018)

| address = 12499 USF Bull Run Drive

| location = Tampa, Florida, U.S.

| image_map =

| coordinates = {{Coord|28|03|33.25|N|82|24|23.30|W|type:landmark_scale:5000|display=inline,title}}

| broke_ground = 1977

| built =

| opened = November 29, 1980

| renovated = {{hlist|1993|1995|2000|2011}}

| closed =

| demolished =

| owner = University of South Florida

| operator = Tampa Bay Entertainment Properties, LLC, a division of Vinik Sports Group, LLC

| surface = QuickLock Portable Floor {{small|(northern hard maple)}}

| construction_cost = $12 million
{{small|(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|12000000|1977}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})}}

| architect = Barger + Dean Architects, Inc.

| former_names =

| tenants = South Florida Bulls men's basketball (1980–present)
South Florida Bulls women's basketball (1980–present)
South Florida Bulls volleyball (1995–present)
WWE ThunderDome (pro-wrestling) (2021)
Tampa Bay Strikers (NISL) (2022–2024)

| seating_capacity = Basketball: 10,500

| record_attendance = Men's basketball: 10,659{{Cite web |date=February 19, 2024|title=South Florida Defeats No. 24 Florida Atlantic To Stay in First Place |url=https://theamerican.org/news/2024/2/18/mens-basketball-south-florida-defeats-no-24-florida-atlantic-to-stay-in-first-place.aspx |access-date=February 22, 2024|website=theamerican.org |language=en}}
Women's basketball: 9,821{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2023|title=USF Women's Basketball Resets Program Attendance Record In 62-43 Win Against Merrimack On Education Day|url=https://gousfbulls.com/news/2024/12/5/womens-basketball-usf-womens-basketball-resets-program-attendance-record-in-62-43-win-against-merrimack-on-education-day.aspx|access-date=December 5, 2024|website=gousfbulls.com|language=en}}

| website = {{url|yuenglingcenter.com}}

}}

Yuengling Center (formerly the USF Sun Dome) is an indoor arena on the main campus of the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, Florida. Construction began in November 1977, and it opened in November 1980. It is located in USF's Athletics District on the southeast side of campus, and is home to the South Florida Bulls men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams, as well as USF's commencement ceremonies and other school and local events. With 10,500 seats (including over 3,500 in the student section), it is the third-largest basketball arena by capacity in the American Athletic Conference.

History

Before the Yuengling Center, USF's basketball teams played at various locations on and off campus. The basketball teams first played at Curtis Hixon Hall in downtown Tampa, and later split their home schedule between Curtis Hixon Hall, the Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg, Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds, and the USF Gymnasium on campus, among others.{{Cite web|title=media guide 1920 FINAL (PDF)|url=https://gousfbulls.com/documents/2019/10/24/media_guide_1920_FINAL.pdf|access-date=August 30, 2020|website=USF Athletics|language=en}}

By 1975, both the University of South Florida and the University of Florida in Gainesville had decided to build new on-campus indoor sports facilities. The two schools pooled their resources and shared the cost of a basic arena design to stretch limited state funding. The "core unit" of the Sun Dome and UF's O'Connell Center were nearly identical, and they each featured a flexible, inflatable roof made of Teflon and supported by a system of blowers. However, the O'Connell Center included facilities for other sports (namely gymnastics, volleyball, swimming and diving) around the main arena, while the Sun Dome as originally built did not, though it later added The Corral for the women's volleyball team after a renovation in 1995.

The $12 million Sun Dome broke ground in November 1977 on formerly open land on the southeast side of campus near Fowler Avenue. Construction was slowed on both the Sun Dome and the O'Connell Center when cracks appeared in precast concrete support beams.{{cite news |title=State Plans Lawsuit Over O'Connell Center Defects|first=Larry|last=Keen|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19830326&id=zjxWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sekDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7358,3720405|newspaper=Gainesville Sun|date=March 26, 1983|access-date=November 27, 2012}} The problems were eventually fixed, and the sister facilities were completed within a few weeks of each other in late 1980 – the Sun Dome in November and the O'Connell Center in December.Walbolt, Dan (Interviewee) and Huse, Andrew T. (Interviewer), [http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/usfhistinfo_oh/194 Dan Walbolt oral history interview by Andrew Huse, July 13, 2004] (2004).Digital Collection - USF Historical Archives Oral Histories. Paper 194.

The first two events at the new arena were a USF men's basketball game against Florida A&M and a concert by Alice Cooper.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=About {{!}} Yuengling Center |url=https://www.yuenglingcenter.com/venue-information/about |access-date=November 23, 2020|website=www.yuenglingcenter.com |language=en}}

In 2000, the original inflatable roof was replaced with a more conventional hard dome and additional facilities for USF indoor sports programs were added around the main arena at a cost of about $8 million (about ${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|8000000|2000}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars).{{inflation-fn|US}}

In 2011, USF began a major renovation of the Yuengling Center at a cost of $35.6 million (about ${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|35600000|2011}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars). Among other interior improvements, this renovation reconfigured the seating area to make the facility ADA compliant and LEED Silver certified.{{Cite web|title=LEED Projects {{!}} USF Facilities Management|url=https://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/facilities/leed-sustainability/projects.aspx|access-date=July 23, 2021|website=www.usf.edu}} It also added a larger center hung scoreboard, a larger team store, a new concourse level with concessions and restrooms, and a new, athletes-only dining hall. On the outside, original exterior concrete was repaired, bricks were added to some portions of the facade, and the entrance gates were improved. This project was completed in April 2012.{{Cite web|title=Renovated USF Sun Dome earns positive marks as concert-friendly venue|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/renovated-usf-sun-dome-earns-positive-marks-as-concert-friendly-venue/2119847/|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=May 15, 2012|title=Sun Dome Reopens; Is A Campus Football Stadium in USF's Future?|url=https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/culture/2012-05-15/sun-dome-reopens-is-a-campus-football-stadium-in-usfs-future|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=WUSF Public Media|language=en}}

In 2017, USF announced that the Sun Dome's management would be taken over by Jeff Vinik, owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning, via Tampa Bay Entertainment Properties, LLC.{{Cite web|title=Sun Dome no more: After years of struggle, can the new Yuengling Center find a soul?|url=https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/music/Sun-Dome-no-more-After-years-of-struggle-can-the-new-Yuengling-Center-find-a-soul-_171901448/|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Jeff Vinik group to manage USF Sun Dome|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/colleges/genshaft-vinik-to-hold-news-conference-at-sun-dome/2322257/|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en}} On June 12, 2018, USF announced a 10-year naming rights deal with brewer Yuengling, effective July 1, 2018.{{cite news |last1=Knight |first1=Joey |title=Yuengling secures USF Sun Dome naming rights |url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/usf-bulls/2018/06/12/yuengling-secures-usf-sun-dome-naming-rights/ |access-date=June 12, 2018 |work=tampabay.com |publisher=Tampa Bay Times |date=June 12, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Roa |first1=Ray |title=Tampa's USF Sun Dome will change name to Yuengling Center |url=https://www.cltampa.com/music/music-news/article/21008951/tampas-usf-sun-dome-will-change-name-to-yuengling-center |access-date=June 12, 2018 |publisher=Creative Loafing |date=June 12, 2018}}

In April 2021, WWE began a long-term residency at Yuengling Center, broadcasting its shows from a behind closed doors set called the WWE ThunderDome, which lasted until July 2021.

The student section was renamed in honor of former USF men's basketball coach Amir Abdur-Rahim following his death in 2024.{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2024|title=Bulls Nation Pays Tribute To Beloved Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim |url=https://gousfbulls.com/news/2024/11/2/mens-basketball-bulls-nation-pays-tribute-to-beloved-coach-amir-abdur-rahim.aspx |access-date=November 3, 2024|website=USF Athletics |language=en}}

The Corral

The Corral opened in 1995 as the home to the Bulls volleyball team at a cost of $5 million (about ${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|5000000|1995}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars). The Corral spans 11,500 square feet on the west side of the arena with a capacity of up to 1,000 fans.{{Cite web|title=The Corral|url=https://gousfbulls.com/news/2016/8/3/211100125|access-date=August 31, 2020|website=USF Athletics|language=en}} Prior to the opening of The Corral, the volleyball team played in the USF Gymnasium, now called the Campus Recreation Center.

Events

In addition to USF sporting events, the Yuengling Center hosts USF's commencement ceremonies along with many concerts, shows, and special events.

= Concert history =

Between the arena's opening in 1981 until the opening of what is now known as Amalie Arena in 1996, the Yuengling Center was the premier indoor concert venue in the Tampa Bay area and hosted many big-name artists.

The first concert held at the Yuengling Center (then the USF Sun Dome) was Alice Cooper, on November 25, 1980. Other notable acts hosted at the Yuengling Center prior to the renovations completed in 2012 include Jimmy Buffett (1982, 1985, 1986, and 1988), The Beach Boys (1984, 1985, and 1989), Ozzy Osbourne (1984, 1988, and 1991), Grateful Dead (1985), U2 (1985), Madonna (1985), Tom Petty (1985, 1990, and 1995), Billy Joel (1987), Frank Sinatra (1987 and 1988), Fleetwood Mac (1987 and 1990), AC/DC (1988), Bob Dylan (1988, 1993, 2006, and 2010), Bon Jovi (1995), Steely Dan (1996), Backstreet Boys (1998), Britney Spears (1998 and 1999), System of a Down (1999 and 2002), Green Day (2005), My Chemical Romance (2005), Kanye West (2005), Tool (2007), Lil Wayne (2007), Daddy Yankee (2009), and Drake (2011).{{cite web |last=Cridlin |first=Jay |date=October 13, 2018 |title=Sun Dome no more: After years of struggle, can the new Yuengling Center find a soul? |url=https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/music/Sun-Dome-no-more-After-years-of-struggle-can-the-new-Yuengling-Center-find-a-soul-_171901448/ |access-date=September 5, 2022 |website=The Tampa Bay Times}}{{cite news|last=Ross|first=Curtis|date=October 13, 2005|title=Kanye West as Effective Live as in the Studio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108959330/the-tampa-tribune/|work=The Tampa Tribune|location=Tampa, Florida|page=12|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2022}}{{cite news|last=Michel|first=Joinville|date=September 26, 2010|title=Drake shakes USF Sun Dome|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108959456/the-tampa-tribune/|work=The Tampa Tribune|location=Tampa, Florida|page=2|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2022}} On September 14, 2012, Elton John performed the first concert held in the renovated building, his third concert at the arena in total.{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/content/review-elton-john-wows-tampas-usf-sun-dome-hits-rarities/2054217/|title=Review: Elton John wows Tampa's USF Sun Dome with hits, rarities|last=Cridlin|first=Jay|date=September 15, 2012|website=The Tampa Bay Times|access-date=September 5, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/features/music/elton-john-brings-piano-thumping-good-time-to-refurbished-usf-sun-dome/1251735/|title=Elton John brings piano-thumping good time to refurbished USF Sun Dome|last=Daly|first=Sean|date=September 17, 2012|website=The Tampa Bay Times|access-date=September 5, 2022}}{{Cite web |title=USF Sun Dome concert history |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/venues/usf-sun-dome?page=1#concert-table |website=concertarchives.org}}{{cite news|date=April 18, 1978|title=Lively conversation with the Grateful Dead|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108959078/tampa-bay-times/|work=The Tampa Bay Times|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|page=64|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=September 5, 2022}}

Since the 2012 renovation, notable concerts include Imagine Dragons (2013), Fall Out Boy (2013), Panic! at the Disco (2013 and 2014), Alan Jackson (2015), Zedd (2015), 2 Chainz (2016 and 2022), Arcade Fire (2017), Tyler, the Creator (2019 and 2022), Young Thug (2019), Illenium (2019), AJR (2019), Portugal. The Man (2022), and Ghost (2022).{{Cite web |title=Yuengling Center concert history |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/venues/yuengling-center--2?page=1#concert-table |website=concertarchives.org}}

= Combat sports =

WWE has hosted several professional wrestling events at the Sun Dome; it hosted Saturday Night's Main Event for the first time in 1985, and hosted the pay-per-view Royal Rumble in 1995 (which notably saw Shawn Michaels become the first person entering at number 1 to win the titular Royal Rumble match by outlasting all 29 of the other participants).{{Cite web|last=Knight|first=Joey|date=May 8, 2018|title=As it courts Wrestlemania, Tampa can boast some major wrestling moments|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2018/05/08/as-it-courts-wrestlemania-tampa-can-boast-some-major-wrestling-moments/|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Tampa Bay Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320145052/https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2018/05/08/as-it-courts-wrestlemania-tampa-can-boast-some-major-wrestling-moments/|archive-date=March 20, 2020|url-status=live}} On March 24, 2021, WWE announced that it would move its ThunderDome residency—a bio-secure bubble used to film the company's weekly programs Raw, SmackDown, and Main Event, as well as those shows' associated pay-per-views, due to the COVID-19 pandemic—to Yuengling Center beginning with the April 12 episode of Raw, following WrestleMania 37 (which was held at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium). The ThunderDome was relocated from Tropicana Field due to the start of the Tampa Bay Rays' 2021 season; as before, programs produced at the arena were held behind closed doors with no in-person audience.{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Randall|date=March 24, 2021|title=WWE Moves ThunderDome to USF's Yuengling Center|url=https://www.sportico.com/leagues/other-sports/2021/wwe-moves-thunderdome-yuengling-center-1234625524/|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Sportico.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324123112/https://www.sportico.com/leagues/other-sports/2021/wwe-moves-thunderdome-yuengling-center-1234625524/|archive-date=March 24, 2021|url-status=live}} During their residency at the Yuengling Center, WWE held two pay-per-view events, WrestleMania Backlash and Hell in a Cell. WWE resumed live touring on July 16, thus ending the ThunderDome productions. The company finished tapings at the Yuengling Center on July 9; the final show to air featuring the ThunderDome at the Yuengling Center was the July 15 episode of Main Event.{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|title=WWE to Return to Live Touring in July|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/wwe-live-tour-dates-2021-1234978565/|date=May 21, 2021|work=Variety|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521192415/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/wwe-live-tour-dates-2021-1234978565/|archive-date=May 21, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Currier|first=Joseph|title=WWE returning to touring this July, first three events announced|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-returning-touring-july-first-three-events-announced-342011|date=May 21, 2021|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=May 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521162048/https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-returning-touring-july-first-three-events-announced-342011|archive-date=May 21, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Defelice|first=Robert|title=WWE To Resume Touring Starting In Texas On July 16; 25-City Tour Planned To Run Through Labor Day|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-resume-touring-starting-texas-july-16-25-city-tour-planned-run-through-labor-day|date=May 21, 2021|work=Fightful|access-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521191207/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-resume-touring-starting-texas-july-16-25-city-tour-planned-run-through-labor-day|archive-date=May 21, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Laboon|first=Jeff|title=WWE returns to Live Events with 25-city tour beginning July 16|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-returns-to-live-events-with-25-city-tour-beginning-july-16|work=WWE|date=May 21, 2021|access-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521125333/https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-returns-to-live-events-with-25-city-tour-beginning-july-16|archive-date=May 21, 2021|url-status=live}} On March 7, 2025, WWE announced that it would host four events at the Yuengling Center from May 24 - May 27, 2025. The four events will be Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIX on May 24, Battleground on May 25, Monday Night Raw on May 26, and NXT on May 27.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-reveals-location-for-next-saturday-nights-main-event-john-cena-to-appear/|title=WWE reveals location for next Saturday Night's Main Event, John Cena to appear|date=March 7, 2025|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=March 7, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307145944/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-reveals-location-for-next-saturday-nights-main-event-john-cena-to-appear/|archive-date=March 7, 2025|url-status=live}}

Creator Clash was hosted at the Yuengling Center in 2022.{{cite web |title=The Creator Clash |url=https://thecreatorclash.com |publisher=Real Good Touring}}

UFC hosted UFC Fight Night: Lauzon vs Stephens at the Sun Dome on February 7, 2009.{{cite web|date=February 7, 2009|title=Neer, Danzig, Velasquez and Lauzon each earn $30K UFN 17 bonuses|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/13946/neer-danzig-velasquez-and-lauzon-get-30k-ufn-17-bonuses.mma|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211033154/http://mmajunkie.com/news/13946/neer-danzig-velasquez-and-lauzon-get-30k-ufn-17-bonuses.mma|archive-date=February 11, 2009|access-date=February 7, 2009|work=MMAJunkie.com}} The Sun Dome also hosted Bellator 72 and 94 in 2012 and 2013 respectively.{{Cite web|title=Bellator 72 Results, Fight Card and News - MMA Fighting|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/425/bellator-72|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=www.mmafighting.com}}{{Cite web|title=Bellator 94 Results, Fight Card and News - MMA Fighting|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/483/bellator-94|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=www.mmafighting.com}}