By Richard Oliver
The historic Alamodome, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in May 2023, is showing no signs of slowing down as it approaches that milestone. Indeed, the downtown San Antonio stadium has never been busier.
From August through early December, the Alamodome enjoyed one of the most successful runs in its history,
hosting five headline concerts that drew nearly 230,000 fans and generated more than $31 million in gross receipts. The events included the Motley Crue and Def Leppard Stadium Tour, Bad Bunny, Rammstein, Grupo Firme (pictured along with the venue’s Steve Zito and Michael Flores), and Elton John.
Additionally, the Dome saw more than 170,000 spectators attend seven University of Texas at San Antonio football games, including the Conference USA championship on Dec. 2.
The Bad Bunny concert broke the facility mark for gross ticket sales for one show when more than $11 million was recorded for the Sept. 8 performance. A crowd of 54,000 was on hand for the show.
In total, the Alamodome held 135 event days in 2022, with a similar schedule planned for 2023, exceeding the average of 115 event dates in previous years.
“There is little doubt that the Alamodome has emerged as one of the most diverse, popular entertainment venues in the country,” said Patricia Muzquiz Cantor, Director of Convention & Sports Facilities for the City of San Antonio. “From compelling sporting events to the world’s biggest concerts, the Dome is a unique destination for performers and fans alike.”
That won’t be changing anytime soon. In coming months, the Alamodome will host events including WWE Royal Rumble, the San Antonio Spurs’ attempt to break the NBA’s single-game attendance mark, the Valero Alamo Bowl, NBC All-American Bowl and the return of the XFL spring football league. The venue also has added stadium concerts featuring P!nk and Red Hot Chili Peppers, currently on sale, as well as additional major concerts to be announced.
Additionally, roughly $109 million in capital improvements are planned for the facility by 2028.
Steve Zito, CVE, General Manager of the Alamodome, acknowledged “those promoters who helped make us so successful,” including the Valero Alamo Bowl, Live Nation, Feld Entertainment, University Interscholastic League, Cheer Power, NCAA, San Antonio Home and Garden Show, San Antonio Sports, the Spurs and AEG, among others.
“None of this would be possible without the countless hours and commitment from the team of the Alamodome,” Zito said. “We always focus on our ‘One Team’ philosophy, and that team has many players. San Antonio has become a very viable market for all genres of entertainment, and over 30 years the Alamodome has been the centerpiece of that.”
Richard Oliver is Communications Manager for the Alamodome.
