Edward Jones Dome

Missouri's crown jewel, the Edward Jones Dome was constructed largely to serve as a convention center and bring the NFL team back home, to St. Louis. It was opened to the public on November 12, 1995. Since then, it has been the venue for a number of national and international conventions, exhibitions, trade shows and elaborate entertainment acts put up by touring groups and individual artists. It has witnessed some of the world's finest rock concerts, including those by U2 and the Rolling Stones, monster truck rallies and motocross races. It is one of the few venues, outside the popular five America's Center exhibit halls, to host a Holy Mass led by Pope John Paul II. This particular event witnessed the presence of the largest ever indoor gathering in the US!

Layout of the Dome

The dome is a $280 million facility and can seat approximately 70,000 people. The seating levels are further sub-divided into the following:

• Private luxury suite level;
• Private club seat level;
• Luxury suite level.

The seating areas also have a lower bowl or concourse level and the upper bowl or terrace level. The elaborate seating arrangements and layout have made the place a must-see for all tourists. It is flanked by Cole Street on the north, the Convention Plaza on the south, Broadway on the east and America's Center on the west. The linking road network to the Dome moves along the Interstate 70 eastbound that branches off at the Broadway/Convention Center exit, the I-70 westbound from Illinois, and the Interstate 55 southbound at the Busch Stadium exit. Access to the stadium by rail is taken care of by the Convention Center Metrolink station.

Events Held

It is also one of the few venues that has extensively played host to various amateur and professional sporting events. It was the venue for the 2005 NCAA Men's Final Four. It is recognized as an integral part of the America's Center complex, though it is utilized most of the time as an independent configuration. It is also connected to the convention center exhibit halls. This official home of the St. Louis Rams, located in downtown St. Louis, has hosted national events, such as:

• The Big 12 Conference Football Championship;
• AMA Supercross;
• NCAA Men's Basketball Regionals;
• The Saint Louis University Vs. University of Illinois Men's Basketball Classic;
• Gateway Football Classic.

Other than national events, it also hosts a number of state high school athletic and football events and motor sports events, annually. It is also the official venue for the Labor Day weekend events. It is one of America's most preferred sporting venues on account of state-of-the-art features such as an opaque roof, sealed concrete flooring spanning a space of around 104,800 sq. ft., utility grids and a variety of artificial playing surfaces. It caters to the requirements of football and basketball games. It is fitted with two screens of 20' x 26' dimensions. The Sony Jumbotron color screens enable enthusiasts to follow every move of the game being played in the main demarcated arena. Artists, athletes and performers are made comfortable backstage, with luxurious locker and dressing rooms, each fitted with restroom and shower facilities. It also flaunts a completely computerized box office facility.