The Tacoma Dome is a large indoor multi-purpose arena located in Tacoma, Washington. With over 30,000 seats, it is one of the largest venues in the Pacific Northwest. The Tacoma Dome hosts a variety of different events throughout the year including concerts, sporting events, family shows, conventions, and more. Here is an overview of some of the main events and activities that take place in the Tacoma Dome.
Concerts
The Tacoma Dome is a major stop for big name concerts and tours. Its large capacity makes it an ideal venue for popular music artists who want to perform in the Seattle/Tacoma area. Major acts that have performed at the Tacoma Dome in recent years include U2, Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Elton John, and many more. The Tacoma Dome’s excellent acoustics and state-of-the-art sound system provide concert-goers with a high quality live music experience.
Upcoming Concerts
Some of the concerts scheduled for the Tacoma Dome in 2023 include:
- Red Hot Chili Peppers – February 9
- The Weeknd – March 17
- Billie Eilish – April 2
- Harry Styles – August 19
- Luke Bryan – September 14
- Celine Dion – October 5
Sporting Events
In addition to concerts, the Tacoma Dome hosts various professional and college sporting events. It serves as the home arena for the Tacoma Defiance soccer team which plays in the USL Championship league. The Tacoma Dome has hosted preseason games for the Seattle Seahawks NFL team. NCAA basketball tournament games are frequently held at the arena as well.
Some other sporting events that take place at the Tacoma Dome include:
- High school basketball tournaments
- Motocross and supercross races
- Professional wrestling events
- College volleyball tournaments
- Gymnastics meets
- Boxing and MMA fights
Tacoma Defiance
The Tacoma Defiance have played their home games at the Tacoma Dome since 2014. The soccer club was founded in 2007 and originally known as the Seattle Sounders FC Reserves. They rebranded as the Tacoma Defiance in 2014. The team plays in the USL Championship which is the second tier of American soccer below Major League Soccer.
The Tacoma Dome provides an intimate and raucous environment when filled with the Defiance’s most ardent supporters, the Blue Legion supporters group. The club averages around 3,000 fans per game. Their season runs from March through October. Some of the Defiance’s biggest rivalries are with Portland Timbers 2 and Phoenix Rising FC.
Family Shows
Family-friendly stage shows are hosted frequently at the Tacoma Dome throughout the year. These types of events provide entertainment options for parents seeking kid-appropriate events. Some of the family shows that have come to the Tacoma Dome include:
- Disney on Ice
- Harlem Globetrotters
- Cirque du Soleil
- Sesame Street Live
- Dinosaur World Live
- Paw Patrol Live
In 2023 and beyond, expect to see continued family events like these at the arena. The Tacoma Dome’s large capacity and seating arrangements make it an optimal venue for these colorful productions.
Conventions
With over 100,000 square feet of exhibit space and additional meeting rooms, the Tacoma Dome is a prime location for conventions, trade shows, and corporate events. Companies like Boeing often host large-scale conferences and seminars there. Some other notable conventions and expos held at the Tacoma Dome include:
- Portland Auto Show
- Tacoma Home & Garden Show
- Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show
- Comic Book Convention
- eGaming Expo
- Cannabis Cup
These types of events allow companies and industries to showcase products, make announcements, and network directly with consumers. The spacious and modern layout of the Tacoma Dome convention center provides an ideal backdrop.
Event | Date |
---|---|
Portland Auto Show | February 10-12, 2023 |
Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show | February 22-26, 2023 |
Home & Garden Show | March 31 – April 2, 2023 |
Comic Book Convention | May 13-14, 2023 |
Other Events
The Tacoma Dome plays host to various other events that don’t necessarily fit into the above categories. Some examples include:
- High school and college graduations
- Comedy shows
- E-gaming tournaments
- Ice skating and the circus
- Indoor driving experiences
- Gun shows and knife shows
- Cultural festivals
From the weird to the wonderful, you never quite know what you might see when visiting the Tacoma Dome for one of these unique events. The versatility of the arena allows it to morph into whatever the city needs.
Tours and Fan Experiences
Even when no events are scheduled, the Tacoma Dome offers behind-the-scenes tours on select dates. These guided walks provide a glimpse into the ins and outs of running a massive event space. Visitors can check out the locker rooms, press boxes, concession stands, seating bowl, and more.
On event days, people can opt to purchase special fan experience passes. These upgrade packages include benefits like meet-and-greets, exclusive merchandise, and early arena access. Fans get a more immersive experience and make memorable connections with players or musicians.
Conclusion
In summary, the Tacoma Dome serves the community in a diverse range of ways. Concerts allow music lovers to see spectacular live performances. Sporting events create excitement and energize local fans. Family shows provide wholesome entertainment for kids. Conventions and trade shows support industries connecting directly with consumers. And tours satisfy curiosity about what goes on behind the scenes.
For over 30 years, the Tacoma Dome has hosted millions of visitors at thousands of events. Its versatile space and prime location ensure that the venue will continue showcasing amazing experiences for many more years to come.