How Many College Football Teams Play in a Dome? (2025)

By Sarah Miller · April 26, 2042

As of the 2025 NCAA football season, approximately 38 college football teams play their home games in a dome stadium. These enclosed venues, located across the United States, offer climate-controlled environments and modern facilities that enhance fan experience and provide consistent playing conditions regardless of weather.

Understanding Dome Stadiums in College Football

Dome stadiums are fully enclosed structures with fixed or retractable roofs designed to protect athletes and fans from outdoor elements. In college football, domes are less common than open-air stadiums but serve as key venues for programs in urban areas or regions with extreme weather.

Why Colleges Choose Dome Stadiums

Consistent game-day conditions unaffected by rain, snow, or heat
Enhanced fan comfort and premium seating options
Ability to host major events such as bowl games, concerts, and conferences
Strategic location in metropolitan areas with high population density
Partnerships with professional sports complexes that share infrastructure

Major Conferences with Dome Venues

While most college football powerhouses play in large outdoor stadiums, several prominent programs compete in domed facilities, particularly those sharing space with NFL teams or located in city centers.

Conferences Featuring Dome Stadiums

Big 12 Conference: Baylor University plays at McLane Stadium, which is not a dome, but some neutral-site games occur in domes like AT&T Stadium.
SEC: No SEC team currently has a true dome; however, the conference hosts its championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
American Athletic Conference (AAC): SMU plays at Gerald J. Ford Stadium (outdoor), but nearby venues like Alamodome host AAC events.
Mountain West: Teams like Boise State use outdoor stadiums, but the conference final has been held in domes.
FBS Independents & Mid-Majors: Several smaller programs and independents utilize domes, especially in northern states.

Collegiate Programs Playing in Dome Stadiums

Most college teams using domes do so either because they lack on-campus stadium funding or benefit from partnerships with municipal or NFL facilities. Below is a comprehensive list of active NCAA programs that host home games in dome stadiums.

Team	University	Stadium	Location	Capacity	Roof Type	NFL Partner
UCF Knights	University of Central Florida	BDO Stadium at FBC Mortgage Stadium	Orlando, FL	44,667	Open-air	No
Tulsa Golden Hurricane	University of Tulsa	Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium	Tulsa, OK	30,000	Open-air	No
North Texas Mean Green	University of North Texas	Apogee Stadium	Denton, TX	30,850	Open-air	No
Eastern Washington Eagles	Eastern Washington University	Roos Field	Cheney, WA	8,600	Open-air	No
New Mexico Lobos	University of New Mexico	University Stadium	Albuquerque, NM	39,224	Open-air	No
No current NCAA Division I FBS team plays full-time in a fully enclosed dome stadium as of 2025.

Table data source:1, 2, 3

Despite widespread assumptions, no NCAA Division I FBS team currently plays its home games in a permanent dome stadium. Many teams near domed NFL venues—such as UCF near Camping World Stadium or LSU near Caesars Superdome—occasionally play neutral-site games there but maintain outdoor on-campus stadiums. The closest example historically was the Houston Cougars, who played in the Astrodome until 1997.

Neutral Site and Bowl Games in Domes

While few college teams call domes home, many high-profile matchups take place inside them annually. These include conference championships and major bowl games hosted in NFL stadiums.

Prominent Dome-Hosted College Events

SEC Championship Game: Held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
ACC Championship Game: Rotates between Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium (outdoor) and potential future dome sites
Big 12 Championship Game: Played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX—a retractable roof facility often used as a dome
National Championship Game: Rotates among major venues including Levi’s Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and State Farm Stadium
Armed Forces Bowl: Held at Amon G. Carter Stadium (outdoor), though other bowls use domes

Frequently Asked Questions About College Football Domes

Do any college football teams play in a dome?

As of 2025, no NCAA Division I FBS team plays its regular home games in a fully enclosed dome stadium. While several teams play near domed NFL stadiums and participate in neutral-site games there, all currently use open-air or retractable-roof venues for home contests.

Why don’t more colleges build dome stadiums?

Dome construction is extremely expensive, often exceeding $500 million, compared to $100–$200 million for large outdoor stadiums. Maintenance, energy costs, and limited natural turf viability make domes impractical for most universities, especially those in mild climates.

Which college teams have played in domes before?

The University of Houston previously played home games at the Astrodome from 1965 to 1997, making it the most notable college program with a dome history. More recently, temporary setups in domes like the Alamodome have hosted playoff games involving teams such as Ohio State and Alabama.

Are retractable-roof stadiums considered domes?

Yes, stadiums with retractable roofs—like AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX—are technically classified as domes when the roof is closed. However, they differ from fixed domes in flexibility. Several college bowl games and conference championships are held in these hybrid venues each year.

Will any college team move into a dome in the future?

Currently, there are no announced plans for an FBS team to adopt a dome stadium as its primary home venue. However, discussions continue around shared facilities in cities like Las Vegas (Allegiant Stadium) and San Antonio (Alamodome), where logistical and financial benefits may support future dome usage.