Fargodome

{{Short description|Stadium in Fargo, North Dakota}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}} {{Infobox venue | name = Fargodome | image = Fargodome July 2024.jpg | image_size = | caption = | address = 1800 University Dr N | location = North Dakota State University Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 15 | pushpin_map = USA#North Dakota | pushpin_relief = 1 | pushpin_map_caption=Location in the United States##Location in North Dakota | pushpin_label = Fargo | broke_ground = {{Start date|1990|04|26}} | opened = {{Start date and age|1992|12|02|br=yes}} | owner = City of Fargo | operator = Fargo Dome Authority | surface = Artificial turf | architect = {{hlist|Sink, Combs, Dethlefs|Triebwasser, Helenske & Associates}}<ref name="archcon">[http://www.fargodome.com/inside_building.php]{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702141819/http://www.fargodome.com/inside_building.php |date=July 2, 2012 }}</ref> | general_contractor = Industrial Builders, Inc.<ref name="archcon"/> | main_contractors = Meinecke-Johnson | tenants = Fargo-Moorhead Fever {{small|(CBA) (1992–1994)}} Fargo-Moorhead Beez {{small|(CBA) (2001–2002)}} North Dakota State Bison {{small|(NCAA) (1993–present)}} Fargo Freeze {{small|(IFL) (2000)}} | construction_cost = $48 million (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|48000000|1990}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}}{{inflation-fn|US}}) | seating_capacity = 18,700 {{small|(football)}}{{Collapsible list|expand=|framestyle=|titlestyle=|title=Concerts|liststyle=|hlist=|bullets=|Gate City Bank Theater: 3,500|Half house: 11,000|3/4 house: 16,000|End stage: 22,000|Center stage:26,700}} | record_attendance = 19,108 {{Color|grey|October 12, 2013 vs. Missouri State}} |fullname=Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome }}

'''Fargodome''' is an indoor athletic stadium and convention center in the north central United States, located on the campus of North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, North Dakota. It opened in 1992 and is owned and operated by the city despite being built on the university's campus. It has a seating capacity of 18,700 for football and over 25,000 for full arena concerts. Its approximate elevation at street level is {{convert|900|ft|round=5}} above sea level.

Gate City Bank Field<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thom-Arens |first=Nicole |date=2021-09-16 |title= Investing in a Better Way of Life |url=https://ndsufoundation.com/magazine/2021/09/investing-in-a-better-way-of-life |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=NDSU Foundation |language=en}}</ref> at the Fargodome is the home field of the Bison football team, which competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). NDSU is a member of the Mountain West, and prior to the 1993 season, the football venue was Dacotah Field, adjacent to the south. The stadium also hosts the university's commencement ceremonies as well as many large concerts, other sporting events, and trade shows.

== History == {{More citations needed section|date=May 2018}} The building was originally planned to be modeled on the Tacoma Dome but have an inflatable roof. However, as the design evolved, it was decided to have a fixed hard roof, although the dome name stuck.<ref>[http://www.fargodome.com/inside_funfacts.php] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122064956/http://www.fargodome.com/inside_funfacts.php|date=November 22, 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Defense.gov photo essay 090324-F-0681L-090.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Volunteers fill sandbags in the Fargodome during the 2009 Red River flood]] * November 1987: Fargo Parks Superintendent Bob Johnson and City Council President Ranen Nicholson proposed a plan for convention and athletic facilities in Fargo. * January 1988: Proposed plan was modified to include a single stadium to be built on North Dakota State University land, that would be financed in part by a half-cent sales tax. * December 1988: Voters approved half-cent sales tax * April 1989: Architects hired and construction process begins * December 1992: Fargodome opens<ref>North Dakota State University Libraries. (n.d.). Fargodome | Fargo History. Retrieved December 4, 2025, from https://library.ndsu.edu/fargo-history/indexee36.html?q=content/fargodome [library.ndsu.edu]</ref> * January 1994: Hosts Snow Bowl NCAA Division II football all-star game between 1994 and 2000 * December 2002: Fargodome celebrates its 10th anniversary * December 2006: Initial talks underway to attach a 6,000–9,000-seat stadium to the Fargodome, for use as a basketball arena for the North Dakota State University basketball teams, as well as smaller performances. * March 2009: The Fargodome is used for the filling and storage of sandbags during the flood. * August 31, 2012: The newly installed AstroTurf, funded by a $1 million donation from Gate City Bank and Fargodome reserve funds for total cost of $2.9 million, premiered in the North Dakota State Bison football team's first game of the season against Robert Morris. Gate City Bank’s donation led to renaming of the field after the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inforum.com/sports/3027977-new-astroturf-fielding-rave-reviews|title=New AstroTurf fielding rave reviews|publisher= INFORUM|date=August 31, 2012|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref> * October 10, 2012: The Fargodome hosted a preseason NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves won the game 84–70. * August 2016: Replaced 4 older corner video boards with new HD boards, and added 2 new large (100'x30') Video Screens at a cost of $7.7 million.<ref>http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/region/3934281-fargodome-oks-95-million-new-video-boards {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> * July 2022: Replaced the older version AstroTurf with a new version, funded by the Fargodome's reserve funds for a total price of $1.1 million, which also includes upgrades to the Magic Carpet system that rolls out the turf onto the stadium floor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inforum.com/sports/bison-media-zone/mens-sports/dom-izzos-missouri-valley-summit-league-notebook-lots-of-turf-coming-to-ndsu-and-sdsu-lands-the-champs|title=Dom Izzo's Missouri Valley-Summit League Notebook - Lots of Turf Coming to NDSU and SDSU lands the champs|work=Fargo Forum|date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2022}}</ref> * August 2023: Proposed renovation plans were unveiled for the Fargodome. The plans would add on a convention center space to the south side of the dome that would eliminate the south parking lot. The plans also called for a new upper level concourse in the southeast corner of the stadium, a remodel of the press box on the east side, removal of the never-used north side press box, and a new club level lounge at the top of the west side. Lastly, the project calls for a removal of Albrecht Boulevard on the west side of the dome, to make way for an addition to the building and move the tailgating lot closer to the stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inforum.com/sports/bison-media-zone/mens-sports/proposed-131-million-fargodome-project-could-significantly-impact-bison-football-fans|title=Proposed $131 million Fargodome project could significantly impact Bison football fans|website=inforum.com|publisher=Forum of Fargo/Moorhead|date=August 22, 2023|access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref> The proposed cost is $140 million and is planned to be paid for with $30 million from the Fargodome's reserve fund, as well as a quarter-cent city sales tax increase and a three percent lodging tax increase. Fargo residents voted on the proposed renovation plan during a special election in December, in which the measure failed. 52% of the votes cast were in favor of the renovation, but the measure needed 60% to pass.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-22 |title=City eyes new sales tax, lodging tax to fund Fargodome expansion, conference center |url=https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/city-eyes-new-sales-tax-lodging-tax-to-fund-fargodome-expansion-conference-center |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=InForum |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Janke |first=Ryan |title=Ballot measure fails to pass for Fargodome expansion and conference center |url=https://kfgo.com/2023/12/05/fargodome-expansion-and-conference-center/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=The Mighty 790 KFGO {{!}} KFGO |language=en}}</ref>

== Events and acts == The Fargodome has held events such as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, USHRA's Monster Jam, Happy Harry's Ribfest, World Wrestling Entertainment, World Championship Wrestling, and other local, regional, and national events. The facility briefly played host to the Fargo Freeze Indoor Football League team in 2000, though the team played just one season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/sports/1495945-indoor-football-league-ponders-fargo-expansion-too|title=Indoor Football League ponders Fargo expansion, too|last=Jul 22nd 2013 - 6pm|first=Forum News Service {{!}}|website=Bemidji Pioneer|date=July 22, 2013 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-31}}</ref>

=== Amateur wrestling === The USA Wrestling 16U/Junior National Wrestling Championships (Women's and Men's Freestyle, Men's Greco-Roman) takes place every year in the Fargodome in the month of July.<ref>{{cite web|title=USA Wrestling Fargo|url= https://usawrestlingevents.com/event/2400001702}}</ref>

=== Entertainment === Many famous acts have played at the Fargodome. It is also capable of hosting events on ice such as Disney on Ice and traveling broadway.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! width=12% style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|color=white}};"|Date ! width=12% style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|color=white}};"|Artist(s) ! width=10% style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|color=white}};"|Opening act(s) ! width=18% style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|color=white}};"|Event Name ! width=10% style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|color=white}};"|Attendance ! width=10% style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|color=white}};"|Revenue ! width=18% style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Dakota State Bison|color=white}};"|Notes |- | March 21, 1993 || Guns N' Roses || Brian May Band<ref>{{cite web |url=https://brianmay.com/queen/queennews/queennewsmar22b.html#26 |title=ON THIS DAY IN QUEEN HISTORY - 21 MARCH |website=Brianmay.com |access-date=March 21, 2022 |quote=In 1993 - The Brian May Band played the Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota, USA. |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318170020/https://brianmay.com/queen/queennews/queennewsmar22b.html#26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> || Use Your Illusion Tour || — || — || |- | December 8, 1997 || Prince || — || Jam of the Year World Tour || — || — || <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.inforum.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/throwback-thursday-princes-1997-fargodome-show-as-reviewed-by-chuck-klosterman |title=Throwback Thursday: Prince's 1997 Fargodome show as reviewed... |website= Inforum |date=April 21, 2016 |access-date = March 20, 2024}}</ref> |- | September 18, 1998 || rowspan=3|Garth Brooks || rowspan=3|— || rowspan=3|The Garth Brooks World Tour || rowspan=3|— || rowspan=3|— || rowspan=3| |- | September 19, 1998 |- | September 20, 1998 |- | December 5, 1998 || Shania Twain || Leahy || Come On Over Tour || — || — || |- |February 17, 1999 |The Rolling Stones |Jonny Lang |No Security Tour |21,970 / 21,970 |$1,501,183 | |- |November 6, 1999 |Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band |— |Reunion Tour |17,245 / 20,000 |— | |- | December 3, 1999 || NSYNC || — || NSYNC in Concert || — || — || |- |September 29, 2002 |Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band |— |The Rising Tour |— |— | |- | August 17, 2004 || Metallica || — || Madly in Anger with the World Tour || — || — || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/metallica/2004/fargodome-fargo-nd-2bd6dcaa.html|title=Metallica Setlist at Fargodome, Fargo|website=setlist.fm|access-date=May 20, 2016}}</ref> |- | September 6, 2013 || Taylor Swift || Ed Sheeran Casey James || The Red Tour || 21,073 / 21,073 || $1,661,578 || |- | January 11, 2014 || Pink || The Kin || The Truth About Love Tour || 21,879 / 21,879 || $1,613,670 || This show was originally scheduled to take place on October 27, 2013, but was postponed due to vocal rest. This concert used to hold the record for highest attendance and ticket sells record in the venue's history, until she broke her own record in 2019.<ref name="Vocal rest postponed">{{cite web |url=http://thetruthaboutlovetour.com/news/185683 |title=Pink |publisher=thetruthaboutlovetour.com |access-date=January 25, 2014 |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209091327/http://thetruthaboutlovetour.com/news/185683 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | February 7, 2014 || Justin Timberlake || DJ Freestyle || The 20/20 Experience World Tour || 15,639 / 15,639 || $1,329,810 || This was his first concert in the state of North Dakota. |- | February 14, 2014|| Toby Mac || — || Hits Deep Tour || – || – || |- | July 12, 2014 || Paul McCartney || — || Out There || 18,220 / 18,220 || $2,247,472 || This was his first concert in the state of North Dakota. |- | August 23, 2014 || Katy Perry || Kacey Musgraves Ferras || Prismatic World Tour || 21,843 / 21,843 || $1,660,459 || |- | November 16, 2014 || Mötley Crüe || — || The Final Tour || - || - || |- | October 12, 2015 || Taylor Swift || Vance Joy || The 1989 World Tour || 21,067 / 21,067 || $2,219,188 || This concert was originally planned to take place on September 9, but was postponed to October 12 to avoid any potential scheduling conflict with the Houston Astros potentially making the 2015 Major League Baseball postseason.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.valleynewslive.com/home/headlines/Date-Change-for-Taylor-Swift-Concert-at-FARGODOME-318652291.html|title=Date Change for Taylor Swift Concert at FARGODOME|publisher=Valley News Live|date=July 27, 2015|access-date=July 30, 2014|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180655/http://www.valleynewslive.com/home/headlines/Date-Change-for-Taylor-Swift-Concert-at-FARGODOME-318652291.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | February 11, 2016 || AC/DC || Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown || Rock or Bust World Tour || 19,308 / 19,308 || $2,049,080 || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.inforum.com/variety/events/3946377-acdc-not-too-old-rock-n-roll|title=AC/DC not too old to rock 'n' roll|last=Lamb|first=John|website=INFORUM|access-date=May 20, 2016}}</ref> |- | May 5, 2016 || rowspan=4|Garth Brooks || rowspan=4|— || rowspan=4|The Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood || rowspan=4| 73,480 || rowspan=4| $5,100,000 || rowspan=4|<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.inforum.com/newsmd/fargodome-made-more-than-500-000-on-garth-brooks-concerts?amp%7Ctitle=Fargodome%20made%20more%20than%20%24500%2C000%20on%20Garth%20Brooks%20concerts |title = Fargodome made more than 500,000 on Garth Brooks concerts |publisher = Inforum |date=June 21, 2016 |access-date= March 20, 2024}}</ref> |- | May 6, 2016 |- | May 7, 2016 |- | May 8, 2016 |- |June 4, 2016 || James Taylor|| – || Before this World Tour|| – || – || |- | June 18, 2016 || Justin Bieber || Post Malone Moxie Raia || Purpose World Tour || 12,451 / 12,451 || $1,177,819 || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fargodome.com/event-page-new?e_id=127|title=Event Information | FargoDome|access-date=July 13, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183312/http://fargodome.com/event-page-new?e_id=127|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | August 4, 2017 || Bruno Mars|| Camila Cabello || 24K Magic World Tour || – || – || |- | August 24, 2017 || Tim McGraw and Faith Hill|| Natalie Hemby || Soul2Soul: The World Tour || – || – || |- | October 17, 2018 || Ed Sheeran|| Snow Patrol Lauv ||Divide Tour || 17,762 / 17,762 || $1,766,790 || |- | May 4, 2019 || Pink || Julia Michaels || Beautiful Trauma World Tour || 22,164 / 22,164 || $2,927,135 || |- | September 14, 2019 || Bob Seger || - || Roll Me Away: The Final Tour || - || - || |- | October 30, 2019 || Celine Dion|| — ||Courage World Tour || 10,473 / 12,239 || $1,174,539 || |- | August 11, 2021 || Guns N' Roses || Mammoth WVH || Guns N' Roses 2020 Tour || 9,100 / 10,087 || $988,411 || |- | July 27, 2022 || Machine Gun Kelly || Avril Lavigne Willow || Mainstream Sellout Tour || 11,908 / 11,908 || $714,355 || |- | April 6, 2023 || Red Hot Chili Peppers || The Strokes King Princess || Unlimited Love Tour || 19,331 / 19,311 || $2,067,826 || |- | August 11, 2023 || Def Leppard Mötley Crüe || Alice Cooper || The World Tour || - || - || |- | August 19, 2023 |Pink |Brandi Carlile Grouplove KidCutUp |Summer Carnival | - | - | |- |November 5, 2023 |Shania Twain |Lily Rose |Queen of Me Tour | - | - |<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/shania-twain-b47b6261-d24d-4f4b-a62e-3b4cd963d3a8 | title=Nov 05, 2023: Shania Twain / Lily Rose at Fargodome Fargo, North Dakota, United States | Concert Archives }}</ref> |- | September 12, 2026 |Foo Fighters |Mannequin Pussy |Take Cover Tour | - | - | |- |}

=== Gate City Bank Theater === The Fargodome's Gate City Bank Theater is home to theatrical productions, produced locally and touring.

== Expansion and renovations == thumb|right|The Fargodome during a North Dakota State Bison football game {{More citations needed section|date=May 2018}} In summer 2016, the stadium video boards were replaced with 12 new interior displays featuring SMD LED technology including two large 30'x100' High Definition video/scoreboards on each endzone, 12'x24' screens behind those large screens for those seated behind the board, and four large 20'x22' High Definition video boards (one in each corner), the $7.7 million project also provided for four ribbon displays on the seating fascia 3' high and 33' long along with a portable 15' x 25' screen which can be moved around on gameday, the project also renovated the electronics room and provided for new computer and graphics technology. These screens replaced the 6 old boards installed in 2002. In total, the new boards provide for {{convert|8500|sqft}} of LED boards in the dome. The contract also provided for an increase from 3 to 5 High Definition cameras for additional angles, one of the cameras has a 55x extra zoom for close up play.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

In the summer of 2022, the stadium replaced its aging AstroTurf with a newer version. It cost the Fargodome $1.1 million, which it paid for using the stadium reserve funds, that also included upgrades to the Magic Carpet system that rolls out the turf onto the stadium floor.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

The Fargodome has previously studied an expansion of its permanent seating in response to increased attendance at NDSU football games. Additional seating would require major structural changes to the dome, including moving the press boxes from the east side to the west side. The west side has been reinforced and could handle extra levels, whereas the east side has a lobby that was not designed to bear any extra load.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.inforum.com/content/fargodome-officials-consider-adding-seats-bison-games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026205110/http://www.inforum.com/content/fargodome-officials-consider-adding-seats-bison-games |archive-date=October 26, 2014 |title=Fargodome officials consider adding seats for Bison games {{!}} INFORUM}}</ref> Attendance at NDSU football games has declined in recent years. During the 2022 season, only one of the team's three home playoff games drew more than 13,000 attendees.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vannini |first=Chris |date=2023-01-05 |title=Will North Dakota State make an FBS move? The FCS power needs to be wanted first |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4058193/2023/01/05/north-dakota-state-football-fbs-move/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-07-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 2023, the Fargodome Authority proposed a $131 million project to remodel the facility and add a conference center. The group proposed new 20-year-long sales and lodging taxes to help fund the project.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-08-23 |title=Fargodome Authority unveils remodel & expansion plans |url=https://www.kvrr.com/2023/08/22/fargodome-authority-unveils-remodel-expansion-plans/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720194559/https://www.kvrr.com/2023/08/22/fargodome-authority-unveils-remodel-expansion-plans/ |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=KVRR Local News |language=en-US}}</ref> The proposed tax increases to fund the project were rejected by voters in a special election on December 5, 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Van Der Stad |first=Melissa |date=2023-12-07 |title=After 'disappointing' Fargodome vote, what comes next? |url=https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/after-disappointing-fargodome-vote-what-comes-next |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724010757/https://www.inforum.com/news/fargo/after-disappointing-fargodome-vote-what-comes-next |archive-date=2024-07-24 |access-date=2025-07-20 |work=INFORUM |language=en}}</ref> A similar proposal was put on the ballot in 2024, but again failed to pass.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Larson |first=Chris |date=2024-08-07 |title=FARGODOME Authority President explains vote, project |url=https://www.wdayradionow.com/news/local-news/fargodome-authority-president-explains-vote-project/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811222055/https://www.wdayradionow.com/news/local-news/fargodome-authority-president-explains-vote-project/ |archive-date=2024-08-11 |access-date=2025-07-20 |work=WDAY Radio |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ballweber |first=Anna |date=2024-11-06 |title=Voters reject FARGODOME expansion proposal |url=https://www.valleynewslive.com/2024/11/06/voters-reject-fargodome-expansion-proposal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720200847/https://www.valleynewslive.com/2024/11/06/voters-reject-fargodome-expansion-proposal/ |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-07-20 |work=Valley News Live |language=en}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.fargodome.com}}

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Category:College football venues in North Dakota Category:Covered stadiums in the United States Category:North Dakota State Bison football Category:Buildings and structures in Fargo, North Dakota Category:Tourist attractions in Fargo, North Dakota Category:Convention centers in North Dakota Category:Concert halls in the United States Category:1992 establishments in North Dakota Category:Sports venues completed in 1992 Category:Music venues completed in 1992 Category:Basketball venues in North Dakota Category:Sports venues in North Dakota