Abandoned stadiums and crumbling arenas
A stadium can bring economic boons to a city, but dilapidated arenas bring just as many headaches. Here are some of the most iconic abandoned venues around the world.
Opened in 1975, Detroit’s Silverdome was once the largest NFL stadium in the country, with a capacity of 82,000.
Silverdome (1975-Present)
With the opening of the Detroit Lions’ Ford Field in 2012, the Silverdome was left without a tenant. The dome officially closed for good in 2013.
It was slated for demolition in spring of 2016, but it still stands ... for now.
Tiger Stadium - Detroit
The Silverdome wasn’t the only abandoned stadium in Detroit history. Tiger Stadium was the home of the MLB’s Tigers from 1912 to 1999, and the NFL’s Lions from 1938 to 1974, before closing down in 2000.
Tiger Stadium (1912-2009)
Following a handful of preservation efforts, Tiger Stadium was demolished in 2009. But the field still remains, thanks to a volunteer group known as the Navin Field Ground Crew, which maintains the field to this day.
Astrodome - Houston
Opened in 1965, the Houston Astrodome—home to the Astros, Oilers and Rockets—once was deemed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” in part because it was the world’s first multi-purpose, domed stadium.
After being declared non-compliant with fire codes in 2008, parts of the dome were demolished, but parts still stand.
Coliseum - Washington, D.C.
Formerly Uline Arena, the Washington Coliseum was the site of the first Beatles concert in the United States. It was used as a Waste Management trash transfer station from 1994 to 2003.
Washington Coliseum (1941-Present)
Although it was slated to be demolished in 2003, the D.C. Preservation League moved to block that plan, listed the Coliseum in its “Most Endangered Places for 2003.”
The Washington Coliseum is still in use today ... as a parking garage.
Candlestick Park - San Francisco
Candlestick Park, former home of the Giants and 49ers, was left without any tenants when the Niners’ Levi’s Stadium opened in 2014.
Candlestick Park (1956-2015)
Despite a movement to renovate the stadium, Candlestick was demolished in 2015.
Panathenaic Stadium - Athens, Greece
The only stadium built entirely of marble was originally constructed in 330 B.C. for the Panathenaic Games. The stadium was refurbished to host the closing and opening ceremonies of the first modern Olympics in 1896.
After being revisited as an Olympic venue in 2004, Panathenaic Stadium was abandoned once again.
Hellinikon Stadium - Athens, Greece
The Olympic Baseball Centre—constructed for the 2004 Summer Olympics—is made up of two separate stadiums. The site was also used for archery at the 2004 Summer Paralympic Games.
Ten years after the 2004 Summer Games, the Olympic Baseball Centre is abandoned, with plenty of debris still on the field.
Hellinikon Softball Stadium - Athens
The Hellinikon Olympic Softball Stadium—also built for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece—has not been used in more than a decade.
Hellinikon Softball Stadium (2004-Present)
Since its heyday, the Hellinikon Olympic Softball Stadium in Athens has become almost unrecognizable.
Olympic Village - Athens, Greece
Photographed nearly a decade after the 2004 Summer Olympics, Greece’s Olympic Village (including the pool picture above) is in tatters.
Aquatic Center - Athens, Greece
Here’s another abandoned venue from the 2004 Summer Olympics from Athens, Greece. The Aquatic Center—where Michael Phelps won eight medals—is still around today ... just drier.
Olympic pool - Berlin, Germany
This swimming arena—first built in 1919 and used in the 1936 Summer Olympics—is still standing today. The photo was taken in 2008.
You can see more more abandoned Olympic venues here.