It is home to the Syracuse Orange Football.
For general seat-picking advice, see The Best Seats at an NFL Game.
Syracuse's domed stadium, formerly the Carrier Dome
The JMA Wireless Dome is Syracuse University's on-campus stadium at 900 Irving Avenue, the largest domed stadium on any college campus. It is home to Syracuse Orange football, men's and women's basketball and lacrosse, and it books stadium concerts. It seats 42,784 for football. For football, the best seats are the lower-level sideline sections between the 30-yard lines; for basketball, the court sits at one end of the building and the best views are the lower sideline seats near midcourt, with the 300 level as the value choice.
The stadium opened on September 20, 1980, as the Carrier Dome. In May 2022, a 10-year naming-rights deal renamed it the JMA Wireless Dome. Most locals and many fans simply call it the Dome, and older charts labeled Carrier Dome describe the same bowl, although the seats themselves have since been replaced.
Dome seating layout: 100, 200 and 300 levels
Section numbers here come from the RateYourSeats section directory and Syracuse Athletics' guest services guide, which agree on the level structure.
100 level: sections 101–130
The lower bowl wraps the field from the lower concourse. Guest Services is at Section 107, and the Sideline Club areas use club-labeled sections such as C101, C108 and C130. Club 44 sits behind sections 108 and 109.
200 level
A small mid level holds sections in two groups, 207–215 and 243–251, alongside the suites.
300 level: sections 301–336
The upper deck rings the stadium from the upper concourse. Miron Victory Court, a 27,000-square-foot enclosed space open to all fans at football and ACC men's basketball games, is in the east end zone behind sections 326–330.
Benches are gone
Before the 2024 football season, chairback seats replaced the old bleacher benches on the 100, 200 and 300 levels, and aisles were widened to 48 inches. Some sections lost up to 200 seats, which is why football capacity dropped to 42,784 and why row and seat counts on older charts may not match.
Best seats for Syracuse football
Indoors, sun and wind do not matter, so the choice comes down to deck, angle and noise.
- Lower sideline, 30 to 30: the best seats, close enough to feel the speed of the game.
- 300-level sideline: the best value, with a high, broadcast-style view of formations.
- End zones: the lowest demand; good for goal-line action at one end and little else.
The roof holds sound, so seats near the student section and band stay loud all game. Note that there are no restrooms in the west end zones, a reason to favor the sideline or east end if you will make trips during the game. Demand usually peaks for conference games against strong opponents, while early-season non-conference games tend to have the most seats available.
Best seats for basketball and concerts in the Dome
Basketball
For basketball, the court is built at one end of the stadium, roughly where an end zone sits for football, and only that half of the Dome is used. Permanent seats surround three sides of the court, with temporary seats on the fourth, and courtside rows run all the way around. RateYourSeats lists the lower sideline sections 108–109 and 122–124 and the 200-level sections 211–212 as the sideline picks, with Section 310 as the midcourt seat upstairs. The upper deck at the far end is the cheapest and farthest seat in the house; binoculars are not a joke there. On February 23, 2019, Syracuse drew 35,642 against Duke, the NCAA record for an on-campus game.
Concerts
Stadium concerts use an end stage and can hold up to 56,250. Metallica drew more than 47,319 on April 19, 2025, the largest ticketed music event in Syracuse history. The floor and lower sideline sections closest to the stage are best; seats in the far upper corners are a long way from the stage, so plan on watching the screens.
Parking, shuttles and rideshare
The Dome sits in the middle of campus, and most fans park in university lots or garages, then walk or ride a shuttle. As of 2026, shuttle buses run from the Skytop Office Building on South Campus, the Comstock lot and the Colvin lot to College Place, and back every 15 minutes during events.
- Rideshare: the main zone is the Newhouse Loop at Waverly Avenue and South Crouse Avenue; exit through Gates M and N. A second zone is on the Waverly Avenue side of Bird Library.
- Tailgating: allowed only in the lined space directly in front of or behind your vehicle, and open flames are banned in university garages.
- Gates: for football, all gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and Gates A, B, C and P open two hours before.
Lot assignments change by event, so check the Dome guest services guide before you go.
JMA Wireless Dome clear bag policy and entry rules
As of 2026, the Dome enforces a clear bag policy with walk-through metal detectors. Each fan may bring one clear tote no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear storage bag, plus one clutch or small purse up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Diaper bags are allowed with a child after inspection and tagging. Backpacks, fanny packs, camera cases and tinted or patterned plastic bags are not. There is no bag check, so a non-compliant bag goes back to the car.
- Re-entry: not allowed.
- Payments: the Dome is cashless, with cash-to-card machines at Gates B and C.
- Alcohol: sales end at halftime except at a few football locations, with a two-beer purchase limit and ID required.
- Smoking: banned inside and outside, including lots and garages.
Read the Syracuse clear bag policy before you go.
Capacity and history
The Dome cost about 26 million dollars and opened in 1980; its first game drew 50,564, still the football record. The original air-supported fabric roof was replaced by a fixed roof, about two-thirds translucent, in September 2020 as part of a roughly 118-million-dollar project that also added air conditioning and new lighting; the chairback seats followed before the 2024 season. The building has hosted the 1981 Big East men's basketball tournament, seven NCAA East Regionals, NCAA lacrosse championships in 1988 and 1991 and a 1981 Sugar Ray Leonard title fight. The court is named for Jim Boeheim, dedicated in 2002.
Frequently asked questions
Is the JMA Wireless Dome the same as the Carrier Dome?
Yes. The Carrier Dome was renamed the JMA Wireless Dome in May 2022 under a 10-year naming-rights deal. It is the same stadium on the Syracuse campus.
What is the capacity of the JMA Wireless Dome?
It seats 42,784 for football after the switch to chairback seats. The basketball record is 35,642, and concerts can hold up to 56,250.
What is the JMA Wireless Dome bag policy?
As of 2026, one clear bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear bag, plus a clutch up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Check the current policy before you go.
Where do you park for the JMA Wireless Dome?
In university lots and garages. Shuttles run from the Skytop, Comstock and Colvin lots to College Place, and rideshare uses the Newhouse Loop.
Does the JMA Wireless Dome have air conditioning?
Yes. Air conditioning was added with the fixed roof, completed in 2020 and 2021.
What are the best seats for Syracuse basketball in the Dome?
Lower sideline sections near midcourt, such as 108–109 and 122–124. Section 310 is the midcourt choice upstairs.