Is Sun Dome Really Second Best In Florida?

The Temple Terrace area can now lay claim to one of the best entertainment venues in Florida.

The USF Sun Dome was ranked second in Florida for entertainment venues with a capacity of 10,001 to 15,000 by Venues Today Magazine. 

The ranking was based on total gross ticket sales and attendance.

The No. 1 spot went to Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, which has 15,000 seats and grossed $5.9 million. The Sun Dome, which has 11,400 seats, brought in $2.5 million in ticket sales.

Venues Today Inc. serves management, owners and suppliers to music, sports and meetings venues internationally.

The announcement was good news for the Sun Dome's management company, Global Spectrum. Global Spectrum and USF just spent $35.6 million to renovate the Sun Dome, which was constructed in 1981.

“The state of Florida is an extremely competitive environment for booking shows," said Global Spectrum general manager Trent Merritt. "Our ranking is a credit to our strong partnership with the University of South Florida, local and national promoters and our Global Spectrum management team, both at a local and corporate level. We are expecting a strong concert schedule this fall and spring and will continue to aggressively book the USF Sun Dome.”

Global Spectrum runs 115 other entertainment venues around the world.

The Sun Dome celebrated its grand reopening Sept. 14, 2012, with a sold-out Elton John concert. Other events that have contributed to a successful first year include appearances by Florence and the Machine, The King’s Men Tour, Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music and MythBusters: Behind the Myths Tour.

Upcoming shows include  American alternative rock band Imagine Dragons Sept. 24, American rock band Fall Out Boy Sept. 29, folk rock artists The Lumineers Oct. 19, Sesame Street Live: "Can't Stop Singing" Nov. 1-2 and hip hop sensations Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Nov. 23. 

Tickets for all Sun Dome events are available through Ticketmaster.com or at the Sun Dome Box Office.