JMA Wireless Dome

JMA Wireless Dome is a domed stadium on the campus of Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. Opened in 1980, it is the home venue for the Syracuse Orange football, Syracuse Orange men's basketball, and Syracuse Orange women's basketball teams. Known for its distinctive air-supported Teflon-coated fiberglass roof, it was the largest domed stadium of its kind in North America until a major renovation replaced the fabric dome with a fixed roof in 2020.

History

The stadium's construction was approved by the Syracuse University Board of Trustees in 1978 to replace the aging Archbold Stadium. Designed by the architectural firm Heery International, groundbreaking occurred in 1979 with funding secured through a partnership between the university and the Carrier Corporation. It opened on September 20, 1980, with a football game against the Miami Hurricanes. The venue quickly became a landmark, hosting its first NCAA basketball tournament games in 1981 and the NBA Eastern Conference Finals in 1988. A significant chapter in its history concluded in 2022 when the naming rights transferred from Carrier to JMA Wireless.

Architecture and features

The original design featured a pioneering air-supported roof, a large-scale application of technology developed by the Birdair company using materials from DuPont. This Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric roof was inflated by a system of industrial fans, creating a column-free interior span. The stadium's signature "Hardwood" floor for basketball was rolled directly over the AstroTurf football surface. A $118 million renovation completed in 2020 replaced the inflatable dome with a permanent, rigid ETFE roof, added new seating and concourses, and installed a state-of-the-art center-hung Daktronics video board. The renovation was managed by the construction firm Gilbane Building Company.

Events and operations

Primarily the home of the Syracuse Orange, the dome has hosted numerous major events beyond collegiate athletics. It was a frequent site for the NCAA basketball tournament, including Regional Finals and the 2016 Midwest Regional. It has staged concerts for major acts like The Rolling Stones, U2, and Paul McCartney, and hosted the WrestleMania I closed-circuit broadcast. The venue also serves as a site for Syracuse University commencement ceremonies, large-scale conventions, and community events like the New York State High School Football Championships.

Naming rights and sponsorship

From its opening until 2022, the facility was known as the Carrier Dome under a naming rights agreement with the Carrier Corporation, founded in Syracuse by Willis Carrier. This partnership was one of the earliest and longest-lasting in collegiate sports. In July 2022, Syracuse University announced a new 10-year agreement with Syracuse-based telecommunications company JMA Wireless, founded by John Mezzalingua. The renaming to JMA Wireless Dome reflected a shift toward supporting local technology innovation and provided significant funding for ongoing facility upgrades and student-athlete programs.

In popular culture

The dome's unique silhouette and status as a campus icon have made it a recognizable backdrop in film and television. It featured prominently in the 1983 comedy film *Spring Break*, which was filmed on location at Syracuse University. The stadium has also appeared in episodes of the television series *The Good Fight* and has been referenced in works by authors from the Central New York region. Its imposing presence and history are frequently highlighted in documentaries about Big East Conference athletics and profiles of legendary Syracuse Orange men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim.

Category:Buildings and structures in Syracuse, New York Category:Syracuse University Category:NCAA Division I FBS football venues Category:NCAA Division I basketball venues Category:Indoor arenas in New York (state) Category:Sports venues completed in 1980