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DakotaDome - home of South Dakota Coyotes in Vermillion, South Dakota
NCAA FCS

DakotaDomeVermillion, South Dakota

South Dakota Coyotes

👥
Capacity
9,100
🏆
Conference
Missouri Valley
📅
Opened
1979
🌱
Surface
AstroTurf Pure Grass (new turf summer 2024, H. Lauren Lewis Field)

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📖About DakotaDome

The DakotaDome, home to the South Dakota Coyotes, is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose indoor venue on the University of South Dakota campus in Vermillion, South Dakota. Opening in 1979 at a cost of $8.2 million, the DakotaDome was one of the first multi-purpose domes in the nation. After numerous roof collapses from heavy snow led to a complete replacement in 2001 with a $13.7 million steel roof, the facility has proven to be a durable year-round venue. A comprehensive $26 million renovation to the west side in 2020 further modernized the DakotaDome, solidifying its place as a premier FCS facility.

🏛️DakotaDome History

Origins

The DakotaDome was built to provide the University of South Dakota with a year-round indoor facility capable of hosting multiple sports and events regardless of South Dakota's harsh weather conditions. The multi-purpose design was innovative for its time, serving football, basketball, volleyball, track and field, and swimming and diving.

Major Renovations

1979DakotaDome opened in September with distinctive air-supported Teflon-coated fiberglass roof, one of first multi-purpose domes in nation
1982Heavy snow caused portion of roof to collapse in October; repaired and Coyotes back on field in less than 10 days
2001Air-supported structure replaced with $13.7M steel roof after numerous weather-related collapses
2020$26M renovation to west side completed after 18 months, modernizing facilities
2016Basketball and volleyball moved to new Sanford Coyote Sports Center

Notable Moments

Sep 1979DakotaDome officially opened for South Dakota athletics
Oct 1982Roof collapse from heavy snow; rapid 10-day repair showcased resilience
2001Steel roof installation ended era of weather-related structural issues

🎟️Visiting DakotaDome

Best Seats

The renovated west side offers premium seating and modern amenities. Lower bowl seating provides intimate views of the action. The indoor environment creates excellent acoustics and atmosphere. End zone seating is affordable and energetic.

Parking Tips

Parking is available in lots surrounding the DakotaDome on the USD campus. The facility's central campus location makes it easily accessible. Arrive 90 minutes early for best parking. The indoor venue means weather is never a factor.

Game Day

The DakotaDome provides climate-controlled comfort year-round. The steel roof ensures games are never delayed by weather. The venue now serves football, indoor track and field, and swimming and diving after basketball and volleyball moved to the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in 2016. The 2020 west side renovation significantly improved fan amenities, concessions, and restrooms.

🗺️Local Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

Main Street Pub

$

Hometown pub that always welcomes new faces with friendly service, a Vermillion staple.

📍 0.5 milesMain St, Vermillion

💡 Classic small-town bar atmosphere, popular with locals and students.

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Charcoal Lounge ("the Char Bar")

$

Downtown Vermillion's token college dance bar with large venue, dance floor, and expansive bar.

📍 0.6 milesDowntown Vermillion

💡 The go-to spot for post-game celebrations.

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Dakota Brick House

$

Focuses on making downtown Vermillion an affordably unique place, featuring local bands and artists.

📍 0.6 milesDowntown Vermillion

💡 Distinctive atmosphere and community vibe.

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🍽️Restaurants

Red Steakhouse

$$$

Local favorite for quality steaks and upscale dining in Vermillion.

📍 0.8 milesVermillion

💡 Best option for special occasions or pre-game fine dining.

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Café Brulé

$$

Popular local café with diverse menu and comfortable atmosphere.

📍 0.7 milesVermillion

💡 Great for breakfast or lunch before afternoon kickoffs.

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Pizza Ranch & FunZone Arcade

$

Family-friendly buffet with pizza, chicken, salad bar, desserts, and full arcade.

📍 0.4 miles912 N Dakota St

💡 Perfect for families, less than 5 minutes from DakotaDome.

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🎭Attractions

National Music Museum

$$

One of the world's premier instrument museums — housed in a historic Carnegie Library building — with approximately 15,000 rare instruments including Stradivari and Amati masterworks spanning 4,000 years of musical history.

📍 0.6 mi414 E. Clark St., Vermillion, SD 57069

💡 Open Tue–Fri 10am–4pm, Sat noon–4pm; closed Sundays and Mondays. Allow at least 90 minutes. The Lillibridge Wing (opened 2021) added significant gallery space.

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W.H. Over Museum

Free

South Dakota's oldest museum (est. 1883), on the USD campus adjacent to the DakotaDome, with 80,000+ items covering Lakota culture, pioneer life, fossils, and Northern Plains natural history — all free to enter.

📍 0.2 mi1110 N. University St., Vermillion, SD 57069

💡 Open Mon–Sat 10am–4pm; closed Sundays and major holidays. The Discovery Room has hands-on exhibits for kids, and the on-site gift shop carries regional books and Native art.

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Spirit Mound Historic Prairie

Free

A state-managed tallgrass prairie preserve where Lewis and Clark stood in August 1804 — a short interpretive loop trail leads to the top of the mound for sweeping views of the Great Plains and Missouri River valley.

📍 6 mi31148 SD Hwy 19, Vermillion, SD 57069

💡 No entrance fee; open year-round. The ~1.5-mile round-trip trail is easy with no shade — bring water. Visit early morning in summer to spot prairie birds and butterflies before the heat builds. The site is also sacred to the Yankton Sioux; please be respectful.

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🅿️Parking Options

🅿️

DakotaDome Campus Lots

$5-10
Lot📍 0.1-0.3 miles

💡 Central campus location with convenient access. Indoor venue eliminates weather concerns.

Suggest a Tip

Know a great bar, restaurant, hotel, attraction, or parking spot near DakotaDome? Share it with us.

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Roof TypeFixed steel roof (dome; air-supported replaced 2001)

Closest Stadiums to DakotaDome

→

Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium

South Dakota State Jackrabbits

Brookings, South Dakota106 mi
→

Memorial Stadium, Tom Osborne Field

Nebraska

Lincoln, NE137 mi
→

Jack Trice Stadium

Iowa State

Ames, IA176 mi
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Drake Stadium

Drake Bulldogs

Des Moines, Iowa186 mi
→

UNI-Dome

Northern Iowa Panthers

Cedar Falls, Iowa227 mi
→

Target Field

Minnesota Twins

Minneapolis, MN236 mi

Frequently Asked Questions About DakotaDome

What is the capacity of DakotaDome?
DakotaDome has a seating capacity of 9,100.
Where is DakotaDome located?
DakotaDome is located in Vermillion, South Dakota.
What team plays at DakotaDome?
DakotaDome is the home stadium of South Dakota Coyotes in the Missouri Valley.
When was DakotaDome built?
DakotaDome opened in 1979.
Where are the best seats at DakotaDome?
The renovated west side offers premium seating and modern amenities. Lower bowl seating provides intimate views of the action. The indoor environment creates excellent acoustics and atmosphere. End zone seating is affordable and energetic.
What are the best parking tips for DakotaDome?
Parking is available in lots surrounding the DakotaDome on the USD campus. The facility's central campus location makes it easily accessible. Arrive 90 minutes early for best parking. The indoor venue means weather is never a factor.
What type of surface does DakotaDome have?
DakotaDome has a astroturf pure grass (new turf summer 2024, h. lauren lewis field) playing surface.
What stadiums are near DakotaDome?
The closest stadiums to DakotaDome are Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium (106 mi), Memorial Stadium, Tom Osborne Field (137 mi), Jack Trice Stadium (176 mi), Drake Stadium (186 mi), UNI-Dome (227 mi), Target Field (236 mi).

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.