An architectural marvel, the Rogers Centre was the first stadium of its kind when it opened in 1989. It was the first stadium with a retractable roof allowing any sport to be played indoors or outdoors, rain or shine. The idea to build a new stadium in the Toronto area began in 1923, but it was 63 years later that construction actually started on a stadium. In the early 1970s Toronto began trying to lure a major league baseball team. They first tried to lure the San Francisco Giants to the city and then sought to get MLB to expand to Toronto. Finally, in 1976 the city was awarded a major league franchise. The team, named the Toronto Blue Jays began playing in 1977. However, the city still did not have a new stadium for the team to play at. The Blue Jays played at Exhibition Stadium (primary a football stadium, but retrofitted to house baseball) for 12 seasons before moving into a new stadium.

In 1983 sites for a new domed stadium were proposed. A site west of the CN Tower in downtown Toronto was chosen. Ground breaking ceremonies for the domed stadium were held on October 3, 1986. The new stadium would be more than just a dome, it would have a retractable roof and would be home to baseball, football, and many other events. Naming the stadium was a way  fans got to participate. Over 12,879 fans submitted a large variety of suggestions to name the stadium including names such as Alfresco Stadium, Railway Place and the Zipper Dome. The name chosen for the stadium was announced on May 11, 1987, SkyDome. For more than 15 years the stadium was known as SkyDome before being renamed. In February 2005, Rogers Communications bought the stadium for $25 million and renamed SkyDome, Rogers Centre.

Opening ceremonies at Rogers Centre took place on June 3, 1989. Over 60,000 people watched the dome open for the first time. Two days later the Blue Jays made their debut at the Rogers Centre on June 5, 1989 when 51,000 fans filled the stadium. The retractable roof is built of four independent panels. When the roof opens three of the four panels, two barrel shaped and one quarter dome, maneuver where they stack over the fourth panel at the north end of the stadium. Weighing over 21 million pounds, it takes 20 minutes for the roof to open or close. The Rogers Centre has five levels of seats that extend from right centerfield to homeplate and to left centerfield. All of the lower level seats are moveable and can form a football configuration.