The Carrier Dome is the home stadium for the Syracuse University Orange football, basketball, and lacrosse teams. With a maximum capacity of 49,250, it is the largest on-campus stadium in NCAA Division I athletics. The seating at the Carrier Dome consists of permanent stadium-style seating as well as temporary bleachers that can be moved in and out as needed.
Permanent Stadium Seating
The permanent seating at the Carrier Dome is arranged in an upper and lower deck that run along the sidelines of the football/lacrosse field and basketball court. The lower deck contains 24 rows of seats while the upper deck has 22 rows. This stadium-style seating accounts for over 29,000 seats at the Carrier Dome.
The lower bowl seating is aluminum bleachers with chairback seats. There are numbered rows starting at Row 1 closest to the field/court and increasing as you go up. Seats are numbered from 1 at the aisles/ramps to higher numbers as you go towards the middle.
The upper bowl seating consists of bench seating on concrete risers without chairbacks. Like the lower bowl, rows are numbered increasing from bottom to top and seat numbers run from aisle to middle.
The permanent lower and upper deck seating wraps around the football/lacrosse field and basketball court providing excellent sightlines for live sporting events. The seating sections are divided by aisles and walkways that provide easy access to the seats.
Notable Seating Areas
In addition to the standard lower and upper deck permanent seating, there are some unique seating areas at the Carrier Dome:
- The student section behind one end zone/basket provides passionate and loud support from the Syracuse University student body.
- The club seats at mid-field/court provide wider seats with more leg room. This premium seating comes with access to the enclosed Legacy Club Lounge.
- The press/media section has tables and power connections for reporters covering events.
- There are designated areas for handicapped seating to accommodate wheelchair users and companions.
Temporary Bleacher Seating
To accommodate larger crowds, the Carrier Dome has temporary bleachers that can be set up on the arena floor for select events. These are modular bench seats arranged in sections that can be assembled and removed as needed.
For basketball games, sets of lower and upper bleachers are placed behind each basket:
| Section | Rows | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Bleachers | 6 | 2,000 |
| Upper Bleachers | 10 | 2,500 |
This adds roughly 4,500 temporary seats for basketball. The bleachers are bench-style seating without backs or chair seats. Rows are numbered from bottom to top. For men’s basketball games, the courtside folding chairs are also set up which are high-quality padded seats surrounding the court.
For football and lacrosse, larger sets of temporary bleachers are installed:
| Section | Rows | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Sideline Bleachers | 29 | 10,000 |
| End zone Bleachers | 29 | 10,000 |
The additional 20,000 bench seats on the sidelines and end zones allow major football games and lacrosse tournaments to sell out the Carrier Dome. These temporary bleachers also have numbered rows from bottom to top for easier seat location.
Accessible and Companion Seating
There are dedicated wheelchair and companion/accessible seating areas at the Carrier Dome located around the lower bowl. These allow wheelchair users and those needing accessible seating to enjoy games:
- Lower Level Sideline – Rows 15-18 have spaces for wheelchairs along with companion seats
- Lower End Zone – 4 wheelchair spaces in Rows 6-9 plus companion seats
- Upper Level Sideline – Wheelchair and companion seating in top rows
- Upper Level End Zone – Wheelchair seating sections 209-211
These seating areas have space for wheelchairs, close proximity to accessible restrooms and concessions, and provide outstanding views. Companion seats let friends/family sit with wheelchair users. Patrons needing accessible seating should purchase tickets in these sections or contact the Carrier Dome box office for assistance.
Club and Suite Seating
For premium seating options at the Carrier Dome, there are club seats and luxury suites available:
- Club Seats – These wider seats with extra leg room are located at mid-field/court. Ticket holders get access to the climate-controlled Legacy Club Lounge which has upscale concessions and bar service.
- Luxury Suites – There are 29 private suites on two levels along the sideline seating areas. Each suite has a furnished lounge that can accommodate groups comfortably. Luxury suite ticket holders get premium amenities including catering and private restrooms.
Club seats and luxury suites deliver a premier game experience in the Carrier Dome with upgraded comforts and hospitality. Suite capacity ranges from 12-25 people. Contact Syracuse Athletics for pricing and availability of premium seating options.
Student Section
One of the most exciting areas of the Carrier Dome is the student section. Over 20,000 Syracuse University students can pack into Sections 101-120 located behind one end zone/basket. Dubbed “Otto’s Army”, the students stand and cheer loudly for the full game making for an electric atmosphere.
The student section has bleacher seating similar to the upper deck. Students generally don’t sit in numbered order but cram in tightly with their friends on a first come, first served basis. For big games, students often camp out to get the best spots. With so much energy and crowd support, the student section gives Syracuse teams a true home field/court advantage.
How to Get Carrier Dome Seating Tickets
There are a few options available for getting seating tickets at the Carrier Dome for Syracuse Orange football, basketball, and lacrosse games:
- Season Tickets – Fans can buy season ticket packages for Syracuse football and basketball. This guarantees you the same seat for every home game. Season tickets provide a consistent spot with the best value.
- Individual Game Tickets – If unable to commit to a full season, fans can purchase single game tickets. These are available through the Syracuse Athletics ticket office for specific games and seating areas.
- Student Seating – Full-time Syracuse students gain free admission to home games. They can claim tickets on a first come, first served basis through their MySlice account.
- Suite/Club Rentals – Groups and businesses can inquire with Syracuse Athletics about booking a luxury suite or club seats for individual games or the full season. This premium seating requires additional purchase but comes with VIP amenities.
- Re-Sellers – Third party ticket brokers like StubHub and VividSeats may have seating available for resale, typically at prices above face value.
The best value and chance for preferred seats comes from buying early directly through Syracuse Athletics. But fans have multiple avenues for securing seating at the Carrier Dome for Orange games.
Carrier Dome Address and Parking
The Carrier Dome is located on the campus of Syracuse University at:
Carrier Dome900 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244
There are multiple parking lots and garages around the Carrier Dome available for event attendee use. These include the Irving Garage attached to the Dome as well as lots off Irving Avenue, Skytop Road, and University Place. Parking rates vary for different locations. Paid street parking is also available in the University neighborhood. Metered spaces have a 2 or 3 hour limit.
Syracuse Athletics encourages ride sharing and shuttles for larger events to manage traffic around campus. For details on Carrier Dome parking options and maps, visit https://cuse.com/sports/2015/4/6/FB_0406153348.aspx
Concessions and Amenities
The Carrier Dome has concessions stands located on the concourse offering a variety of food and beverages options:
- Standard fare – Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, fries, nachos, pretzels, popcorn
- Local fare – Dinosaur Barbeque, stinger subs, salads, fruit
- Beverages – Soda, bottled water, beer
- Suite catering – Upscale dining options for luxury suites
There are restrooms and first aid stations throughout the concourses. ATMs are also available onsite. No outside food or drink is permitted. Cash and cards are accepted at concessions stands.
Syracuse Athletics is introducing Cuse eats delivery for 2022 football season. Fans can order select food items on their phones and have items delivered directly to their seats during games.
Prohibited Items
The following items are not allowed inside the Carrier Dome:
- Bags larger than 14″ x 14″ x 6″
- Outside food or beverages
- Alcohol & illegal substances
- Weapons of any kind
- Noisemakers like horns and whistles
- Animals except documented service animals
All patrons and belongings are subject to search upon entry. Syracuse University prohibits smoking, tobacco, and vaping in the Carrier Dome.
History and Renovations
The Carrier Dome opened in 1980 with an original construction cost of $26.85 million, funded in part by a donation from the Carrier Corporation. At the time, it was the largest domed stadium on a college campus.
In 1997, an inflatable roof was added to allow for more favorable air pressure conditions inside the dome. From 2018-2020, the Carrier Dome underwent major renovations including:
- Fixed roof to replace inflatable original
- New lighting, sound, and Wi-Fi systems
- Accessibility and plaza improvements
- Upgraded concessions and restrooms
These updates prepared the Carrier Dome for continued decades of use as the centerpiece of athletics on the Syracuse campus. With a capacity exceeding 49,000, it remains one of the largest facilities of its kind nationwide.
Notable Carrier Dome Moments
Some of the most famous moments in Syracuse sports history have occurred inside the Carrier Dome:
- 1987 – Carrier Dome opens Bon Jovi concert with first-ever inflatable roof
- 1998 – Donovan McNabb leads Syracuse to an epic football comeback win over Virginia Tech
- 2003 – Syracuse wins NCAA basketball championship over Kansas
- 2010 – Men’s basketball draws record on-campus crowd of 34,616 vs Villanova
- 2013 – Football hosts first ever basketball game in Dome vs Duke
The Carrier Dome has hosted concerts, NCAA tournament games, boxing matches, and more in addition to Syracuse Athletics. Future renovations will ensure the stadium remains a multipurpose centerpiece on campus for decades to come.
Conclusion
With permanent stadium seating, temporary bleachers, club spaces, and a raucous student section, the Carrier Dome provides a top-notch venue for Syracuse Orange football, lacrosse, and basketball. The recent renovations have updated amenities while maintaining the Dome’s reputation as one of the most iconic stadiums in college sports. For the best views of the action and atmosphere, be sure to secure your seats early through Syracuse Athletics.
