I've been to Dolphin Stadium 3 times(In the late 90's) and the atmosphere was great. Now a days though a lot of the rumblings I hear is that the atmosphere of Dolphin Stadium is average. It never is really a true sell-out anymore and a lot of the fans that are there and the so called "snow birds" I'd love to get the opinion of a Dolphin fan who's been to the games this year to let me know what the atmospheres been like. I know professional sports are a hard sell in Florida but Tampa Bay has a ridiculous atmosphere(I saw a game this year in RJS) Thanks a lot.
There's a reason it's ideal for neutral site games. Let's just put it this way, when I'm watching all the games simultaneously in Las Vegas, there literally isn't a week that goes by without a tourist commenting in amazement at how far away the stands are from the field. Then inevitably someone who has been to the stadium will chirp in regarding the lack of frenzied fan support, largely due to the ignorant design of the stadium. Admittedly, that someone is often me, but I'm not always alone. I despise the place. Nowadays stadiums are designed with crowd impact in mind, like UCF's stadium or what Paul Allen did with the Seahawk venue. Joe Robbie found a cheap track of land and built an outdated multipurpose facility in the late '80s, during a period multipurpose stadiums already were being phased out. They were in vogue during the early '70s. It may have so-called modern amenities but that is laughably irrelevant, IMO. Even the upgrades are designed to remove fans from their seats for significant stretches, which is the last thing a home team needs during heated battle. Every time we step on the field we're stuck with a stadium that doesn't allow us to maximize potential. Anyone who denies that hasn't spoken to oddsmakers, as I have for 2+ decades. They study home field advantage based on many categories and the Dolphins have declined dramatically in that regard since relocating from the Orange Bowl. Same thing to lesser degree with the Canes beginning in '08.
Awsi, As a season ticket holder, I agree that I wish the seats were closer to the field. Joe Robbie built the stadium the way he did because he wanted to attract baseball/soccer, etc., to the So. Fla. area. I can't really blame him. He was a visionary who believed that Miami/Ft. Lauderdale could be a major league town. Anyway, as to the atmosphere...for big games, it rocks like anywhere else. The Monday nighter against Denver after they started 13-1, the playoff game against the Colts in 2000, Danny v. Montana in the playoffs were spectacular in terms of atmosphere. Also, I have travelled to away games in several venues, including Texas Stadium, Qualcomm, Giants Stadium, Alltell and Heinz field. They were all great but the fans were not as crazy as you would think. Heinz field was surprisingly not that loud, although the sight lines are fantastic and the downtown location is fantastic.
I've been wondering the same thing...do you think they'll make and attempt to bring fans closer to the field? I'm am so jealous how close the fans are to the field in Buffalo and Dallas ect
I don't think it's possible without gutting the entire interior of the bowl. It may not even be feasible from an engineering standpoint.
what a phenominal post awsi dooger, all incredibly valid points, if i may take it even to another level, is that our stadium configuration is as much responsible for our demise then anything. players need different elements to perform at their highest level, if their not excited and getting energy from our fans which the stadium prohibits from happening they are not going to be able to play at the level that a team can play with when they DO have that type of energy. IT was a collassal mistake by the suits, and it should be talked about RIGHT NOW on how to rectify the situation. I consider myself a great dolfan and this bothers me more then anything, i wish someone was smart enough to identify the problem without trivializing it
I hope so. There's no reason not to: they won't have to worry about reconfiguring the field for baseball and football any longer. They also need to install FieldTurf immediately. Having the Dolphins, Marlins, and Hurricanes sharing the same field is going to wear down the grass pretty quickly.
I also truly believe that we need to update our uniforms, i know alot of you disagree but the time has come, i watched the tape of the bills game and just kept thinking to myself how weak and ridiculous we looked in all off white, in the snow, if you where weak colors you will play as such, I really like that new navy blue stuff that we have been seeing alot
yeah...they looked weak all those years they were winning championships and posting winning season after winning season with the same colored uniforms.
thats your opinion, in my opinion your just another that just does'nt get it. no use trying to debate it.
also remember my friend the meaning of this thread, those winning years that you are reffering to took place in a very special stadium, THE ORANGE BOWL..... I REST MY CASE!!!
No you're not alone in that and I agree completely with everything you've said. I've always despised the stadium as well. The Seahawks stadium is my favorite and one aspect that did in fact factor into the finished product was maximizing the home crowd.
its not about that man, your insulting my intelligence, i could say the same for someone who does'nt understand the importance of a new beginning, let me guess, you were a fan when we won it all
AMEN to that ! I grew up in Miami and lived there about half my life. I've been living in New Jersey now for about 20 years. THE ORANGE BOWL is just a once in a lifetime experience, and only the people that went to the games know what the experience is like. I went to many Phins and Hurricane games too many to detail. I miss that stadium so much !
I come down to Miami every year to watch a game, and noticed that everyone wears orange. it's never a packed house.
Here's a thing I forgot to mention about Dolphin Stadium. An opposing team flies into Miami International. The heart of the major city is right there, and also to the south and east. But to get to the stadium you head north and west, smack towards the Everglades. No one can tell me that's not somewhat less influential. I've been to dozens of venues and the ones that jump out as intimidating are in the middle of college campuses, or NFL venues in the city proper. You feel like the entire school or entire city is against you. At Dolphin Stadium it's a leisurely drive to nowhere. What is the opponent terrified of, runaway horses from nearby Calder? It's a farce of a location and the bland design and concrete foundation only makes it worse.
correct me if im wrong, but didnt we have some darn good home records in the 10-6 days. We were locks to win at home those days.
i traveled fromt he Uk to Miami vs Buffalo, The attendance was pretty good considering a lot of games over the last few years have been a little quiet. I was pleased with the turnout, but there were a lot of bills fans in there
What always makes me laugh at the TV is the fact that they say these stadiums are always packed (for certain teams they are) but alot of these stadiums can probably only hold 65k. I know everytime that stupid questionare on the board comes across at the games it's always hovering around 70k..atleast the few handful of times I've been there. Do we have actually one of the larger (seating wise) stadiums in the NFL? It's not like we've done anything in nearly 10 years anyways. Can't really expect people to show...and who cares what the "Scary scenario" looks like on the way to the stadium? How about just moving it out of the ghetto so it's more presentable?
I think so. I know this might sound confusing but the size of the stands are pretty much the same as most other stadiums, correct? Well if you move the sideline seating back like 60 ft. from the field, you’d get the shape of Dolphins Stadium. If you do that, the perimeter of the stadium will also increase, therefore if you moved those exact same seats back, you’d have empty space leftover which would have to be filled with even more seats.
then finally it'll be a football stadium... I think we just need a completely new stadium all together
theres not much wrong with the stadium. Its World Class. Its Held Mroe Superbowls than any other, Thats for a reason. Philly stadium sux. they also have standing sections lol. If our stadium was to the brim every game, and therre were more trying to get in, then yes put in extra seats, make it bigger. or whatever. Not Until. Thats from a business standpoint too. Heres philly stadium when I saw the Fins - Eagles this year too.