Houston Astrodome

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Astrodome era began in 1968, following the team's initial eight seasons at Jeppesen Stadium (1960–1964) and Rice University's stadium (1965–1967). The facility became the permanent home for the Oilers starting in 1968, following their AFL Eastern Division title in 1967. Owner Bud Adams had intended to play at Rice from the start, but the board of regents initially rejected the move. After the Astrodome opened in 1965, Adams attempted to relocate there but faced hurdles negotiating a lease with the Houston Sports Association, who owned the facility and subleased it to the MLB's Houston Astros. Eventually, the team settled in, becoming the first professional football team to play under a roof. The dome hosted the team through various eras, including the Luv Ya Blue campaign of the late 1970s and the playoff runs of the early 1990s. It was within these walls that the Oilers lost the infamous 56–7 game to the Raiders in 1969 and later hosted impromptu pep rallies after AFC Championship losses to the Steelers in 1978 and 1979.

In Their Own Story

The Astrodome opened a new chapter for the Houston Oilers in the 1968 season, ending their tenure at outdoor venues like Jeppesen Stadium and Rice Stadium. The transition was not immediate; after winning the division title in 1967, the team faced logistical challenges before securing a lease with the Houston Sports Association. Once inside, the Oilers played under unique conditions that defined their history. The 1969 season saw the team start strong at 3–1 before tumbling to a 6–7–2 record and a crushing 56–7 playoff defeat by the Raiders. Decades later, the Astrodome witnessed the highs of Bum Phillips' era, where fans packed the venue for pep rallies following heartbreaking AFC Championship losses to Pittsburgh in 1978 and 1979. The stadium remained home through the team's final years in Houston until the franchise moved to Tennessee after the 1996 season.

Reader's Guide

Visiting the Astrodome during its tenure as an Oilers home meant experiencing professional football in a climate-controlled environment for the first time. Fans entered the facility starting with the 1968 season, having watched the team play outdoors at Jeppesen Stadium and Rice Stadium previously. The venue hosted pivotal moments, such as the 1969 playoff loss to Oakland and the Luv Ya Blue era games where Earl Campbell led the charge. The atmosphere was distinct, sheltered from Texas weather, allowing for consistent game-day conditions regardless of the season outside. For those following the team through its final Houston years, the Astrodome served as the backdrop for division titles in 1991 and 1993 before the franchise relocated to Tennessee after the 1996 campaign.

Did You Know?

• The Houston Oilers were the first professional football team to play in a domed stadium when they moved into the Astrodome for the 1968 season.
• Before moving to the Astrodome, the Oilers played their first eight seasons at Jeppesen Stadium (1960–1964) and Rice Stadium (1965–1967).
• Owner Bud Adams initially intended for the team to play at Rice University but was rejected by the board of regents before eventually securing a lease for the Astrodome.
• In 1969, the Oilers played their last season as an AFL team in the Astrodome, finishing with a 6–7–2 record and losing 56–7 to the Raiders in the playoffs.