gettyimagesThese videos of stadium demolitions are strangely satisfying
It turns out that watching videos of stadiums implode is really, really satisfying.
Other than perhaps the feeling of filling your petrol tank to exactly £20 without looking, there’s really nothing more satisfying than watching a good, old-fashioned implosion unfurl before your eyes.
To be clear, when we say ‘implosion’, we’re not talking about Liverpool’s famed ‘Crystanbul’ loss of a 3-0 lead to end their title hopes in 2014, Atlanta Falcons’ dramatic Super Bowl capitulation to the New England Patriots, or practically every Arsenal season for the past decade...
We’re talking actual, planned, controlled demolitions.
One that didn't go quite so satisfactorily this week was the planned implosion of the The Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit. The stadium was home to the Detroit Lions American football team from 1975 to 2001, during which time they never made it to a Super Bowl. Being in the Motor City, it was probably too easy then to make jokes about misfires, as they failed with their first attempt to bring down the stadium this month.
"Toughest stadium ever.”
Second time a charm. Almost...
Is it just us or does that still not properly come down?
Anyway, as video as of this did the rounds, I fell down a rabbit hole of watching US stadia getting the big heave-ho, becoming strangely transfixed by these big buildings coming crashing down. Here are some of the most satisfying videos around:
1. The Texas Stadium, Dallas, 2010
In 2010, the long-time home of the Dallas Cowboys got demolished.
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This 360 degree view looks like something out of Inception (ignore the audio on this video, that's someone having a funny jape).
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An 11-year-old who had won an essay contest got to push the button that set it off. The lucky blighter.
2. The Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, 2002
For a brief time also known as Cinergy Field, the Riverfront Stadium was home to the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball between 1970 and 2002 and NFL team the Cincinnati Bengals from 1970 to 1999.
Look at it go down like a nanna on a frosty driveway.
3. Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, 2001
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It took 12 seconds to bring down the former home of the Indiana Pacers and site of Elvis Presley’s last concert. Hence the "Elvis has left the building" reference from the demolition controller.
4. The Kingdome, Seattle, 2000
The dome was a necessary feature on this stadium in 'The Rainy City', but unhelpfully, it was apparently very leaky and in 2000, 'the mushroom', or 'the concrete cupcake', as it was variously known, was brought low.
In its place now sits CenturyLink Field, home to the Seattle Seahawks NFL team and Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders, which has one of the most impressive skyline views in sport.
5. Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, 1997
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It took 30 seconds to bring down 10,000 tons of the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium that had been home to the Atlanta Braves baseball team and Atlanta Falcons NFL team, as well as playing host to the likes of The Beatles in 1965.
The stadium was demolished in 1997 to make way for the Georgia Dome. What happened to that? Well…
7. Georgia Dome 2017
All empires eventually make way and, as a new day dawned, the Atlanta Falcons got the keys to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium (possibly the most impressive stadium ever built), it was time for the sun to set on the Georgia Dome.
Cameras were all set for a glorious spectacle, when this happened…
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Definitely not satisfying! Talk about parking the bus, hey...
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