Opened in 1993 as one of the largest public construction projects in San Antonio history, the Alamodome seats 65,000 and has echoed with championship cheers and military homecomings alike. The Alamodome was built primarily to attract an NBA franchise, and in 1993 — the same year it opened — San Antonio was awarded the San Antonio Spurs, who had previously been playing in the HemisFair Arena. The Spurs played at the Alamodome through 2002, winning their first NBA Championship here in 1999 under head coach Gregg Popovich, center David Robinson, and a rookie named Tim Duncan.
That championship — San Antonio's first major professional sports title — transformed the city's sense of itself. The Spurs' subsequent dynasty, winning four more championships, made San Antonio one of the most successful NBA franchises in history and gave the city a pride that transcended sport. The Alamodome has hosted multiple Final Fours, boxing championships, and WWE events.
But perhaps its most moving recurring role has been as the site of military homecoming ceremonies, where thousands of family members gather to welcome soldiers returning from overseas deployments — filling the same arena that once echoed with championship cheers with something quieter and more profound.