Iconic NFL stadium that price £255m is eerily deserted regardless of closing in 2008
Have you ever questioned, once you rock up on that chilly night for a five-a-side recreation or journey to that membership whose spanking new pitch has simply been laid out, the place precisely the identify AstroTurf comes from?
Well, look no additional than the Houston Astrodome, the namesake of the synthetic grass and the aptly dubbed ‘eighth surprise of the world.’
This concrete behemoth has sadly lain dormant since 2008, when it was closed due to failing fireplace code requirements, however its virtually 60-year historical past is one price wanting again upon.
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With the grass turf laid in 1964 and a grand opening in 1965, the world’s first domed, air-conditioned indoor stadium grew to become dwelling to Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros.
However, the hundreds of greenhouse-like panels lining the roof meant gamers misplaced fly balls smacked up excessive, so an answer needed to be discovered.
The roof was painted black, the grass died, and the synthetic ChemGrass was put in. The success of this turf led the corporate to rebrand its product as AstroTurf.
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(Image: Charles E. Rotkin/Corbis/VCG through Getty Images)
(Image: MLB through Getty Images)
The NFL’s Houston Oilers joined the baseball crew on the dome in 1968, and the 2 sides referred to as Astrodome dwelling till the mid-90s when the integrity of the stadium got here into query.
A pre-season match-up between the Oilers and the San Diego, now LA Chargers, was cancelled because of the state of the turf, which had been re-laid twice through the years; Owner Bud Adams referred to as for a brand new enviornment.
When denied, after years of threatening to take action, Adams moved his crew to Tennessee in 1996, the place they grew to become the Titans we all know at present. The NFL returned to Houston in 2003, however to not the Astrodome.
(Image: Sports Illustrated through Getty Images)
Watch Super Bowl in fashion
Experience the large recreation this 12 months at Hard Rock Cafe as NFL fans are invited to rally behind their favorite crew at both Hard Rock Cafe London (10pm-4am) or Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus (10:30pm-4am) for the highly-anticipated annual showdown.
Standard tickets are simply £62 per particular person, and embrace entry, a reserved seat, two Budweiser beers, and three objects off the brand new Big Game Menu, which options American classics reminiscent of sliders, nachos, wings, loaded tater tots and extra.
For followers searching for an elevated expertise, the VIP package deal at Piccadilly Circus is obtainable at £99 per particular person. This unique package deal consists of entry, two Budweiser beers, a reserved seat within the premium VIP space, a particular Big Game welcome cocktail, 4 meals objects from the Big Game Menu, and a complimentary Goody Bag. Book tickets right here
The adjoining NRG Stadium, which was inbuilt 2002 as a house for the Houston Texans, signalled the top for the good dome. After its aforementioned closure in 2008, makes an attempt to renovate the stadium have fallen on deaf ears.
It welcomed performances from Elvis and Madonna, hosted Billy Jean King’s ‘Battle of the Sexes’ and housed evacuees within the wake of Hurricane Katrina, however now lies as a shell of its as soon as nice self.
Parts of the constructing have been demolished in 2013, however the truth is that demolishing it could be simply as costly as renovation. Hope nonetheless stays that spectators will someday return to this place.
