The Superior Dome in Marquette is held up by 781 Douglas fir beams and 108.5 miles of fir decking, and the public can walk a lap under all of it. Northern Michigan University built it in 1991 and has played Wildcat football inside ever since. The building stands 14 stories high and puts 5.1 acres under one roof.
The numbers NMU hangs on the place read like a spec sheet for a ship. The roof is rated to carry 60 pounds of snow per square foot and stand up to 80 mile an hour winds. NMU Athletics lists the diameter at 536 feet. There are 8,000 permanent seats, and the building can hold 16,000 people.
The part most people miss is the concourse. NMU opens the dome to the community for leisure walking and jogging along the indoor concourse, on a schedule Rec Sports posts each month as a PDF. The October sheet shows open days running 6AM-9PM, a few closing at 5PM, and some days closed all day.
How the turf moves
The football field is a carpet, and the carpet comes up. Twelve computerized winches extend the turf over a cushion of air. NMU says it takes 30 minutes to retract the artificial turf carpet and approximately two hours for full set up. When it is out, the turf accommodates football, soccer, and lacrosse fields.
Underneath is a synthetic floor with three basketball and volleyball courts and a 200-meter track. That is the whole trick of the building. One crew, one set of winches, and the stadium turns into a fieldhouse before lunch.
Who works out of the Superior Dome
Football has been the tenant since 1991. The Wildcat women’s lacrosse team and the track teams are based there now, and the athletics page adds soccer and the United States National Training Site. The NMU Athletic department central office and the NMU Ticket Office sit inside too, and the ticket office keeps Monday through Friday 10am-5pm hours at the main entrance.
Rec Sports runs drop-in soccer on Tuesdays from 8:30-10 p.m. through November 17 and drop-in flag football on Sundays from 10-11 p.m. through November 15. Both are for recreation members only. Three concession areas serve events. Anyone who wants to rent the building calls 906-227-2850.
The walking rules
The walking track is the concourse, not the field. NMU prints it in capitals: the football field is not open to the public at any time. You change into alternate shoes when you arrive. Children 16 and under need an adult with them, and bikes, scooters, rollerblades, soccer balls, athletic equipment and toys stay in the car.
Hours are subject to change, and if NMU closes for weather, the dome closes with it. Rec Sports posts closures on its Facebook and Instagram. The Berry Events Center is not available for public walking, and NMU sends walkers to the dome instead.
If you go: 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette. Walking hours are on NMU’s Facility Hours page as a monthly PDF; October’s sheet lists 6AM-9PM on most open days. The building closes for drop-in programs, events and weather, so check the sheet before you drive. For general questions, NMU lists jemigh@nmu.edu. Our Go See It page for the Superior Dome, with the walking rules in one place, is here.
Bring the other shoes. The lap is free of snow, which in Marquette is the whole point.
Go See It
Superior Dome, Northern Michigan University
- Hours
- Public walking only, on the outer concourse. October 2026 calendar: Monday to Thursday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed all day Saturdays and Sundays. NMU posts a new calendar every month and says hours are subject to change. The dome also closes when NMU closes for bad weather.
- Cost
- No fee is listed on NMU's walking-hours page or the October calendar.
- Season
- No season is posted. NMU publishes public walking hours month by month; September and October 2026 calendars were up on Oct. 5.
- Drive
- From Marquette: 4 min (1.3 mi) via N 4th St and Presque Isle Ave (from downtown Marquette; Google Maps read Oct. 5, 2026)
From the Bridge: 2 hr 47 min (165 mi) via US-2 W and M-28 W (Google Maps flags tolls on this route; usual traffic, read Oct. 5, 2026)
More worth reading
Sources, credits, and reporting details
Sources & accountability
How this story was reported
Editorial methodService and public-interest reporting
Last verifiedOct. 19, 2026
Corrections statusNo material correction note is recorded on this article.
AI assistanceResearched and drafted with AI tools. Reviewed and approved by editor Keegan O’Brien.
Verification note: Written October 19, 2026 for the 2026-10-26 edition; sources read and checked Oct. 19, 2026. AI-assisted drafting, staff desk piece.
Primary sources
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: 781 Douglas fir beams, 108.5 miles of fir decking
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "Constructed of 781 Douglas Fir beams and 108.5 miles of fir decking"
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: Wildcat football home since construction in 1991
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "since its construction in 1991"
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: 14 stories, 5.1 acres under roof
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "The Dome stands 14 stories high and encompasses 5.1 acres under its roof."
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: 8,000 permanent seats, holds 16,000
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "the Dome has a permanent seating capacity of 8,000, although the building can hold as many as 16,000 people."
-
Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: 60 psf snow, 80 mph wind
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "The facility is able to withstand 60 pounds per square foot of snow and 80 mile per hour winds."
-
Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: twelve computerized winches, cushion of air
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "Twelve computerized winches extend the turf over a cushion of air."
-
Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: 30 minutes to retract, approximately two hours full setup
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "It takes 30 minutes to retract the artificial turf carpet and approximately two hours for full set up to be completed."
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: turf fits football, soccer, lacrosse fields
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "When extended, the turf has the ability to accommodate football, soccer, and lacrosse fields."
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: three basketball/volleyball courts and 200-meter track under the turf
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "features three basketball/volleyball courts and a 200-meter track"
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: public leisure walking and jogging on indoor concourse
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "The Superior Dome is also open to the community for leisure walking and jogging along the indoor concourse of the building."
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: walking schedule posted at Facility Schedules
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "For information about the Superior Dome building visiting hours and the public walking schedule, go to Facility Schedules."
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: address 1401 Presque Isle, Marquette
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "1401 Presque Isle Marquette, MI 49855-5301"
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: women's lacrosse and track teams based there
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "is now also home to the Wildcat women's lacrosse team and the Wildcat track teams"
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: athletic department central office and ticket office inside
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "The Superior Dome is home of the NMU Athletic department central office, NMU Ticket Office"
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Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: three concession areas
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "Three concession areas provide service to all events."
-
Superior Dome — Northern Michigan University
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: rental phone 906-227-2850
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "For information on renting the Superior Dome, call 906-227-2850."
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Facility Hours | NMU Rec Sports — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: monthly walking-hours PDF linked under Superior Dome Public Walking Hours; contact jemigh@nmu.edu
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "Superior Dome Public Walking Hours … October Walking Hours … For general questions about the Superior Dome, please contact jemigh@nmu.edu"
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Facility Hours | NMU Rec Sports — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: ticket office Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, main entrance
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "The NMU Ticket Office is now back open in the Dome. Please use the main entrance only. … visit the ticket office Monday – Friday 10am-5pm."
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Facility Hours | NMU Rec Sports — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: drop-in soccer Tuesdays 8:30-10 p.m. through Nov 17
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "Tuesdays from 8:30-10 p.m. in the Superior Dome September 1st through November 17th"
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Facility Hours | NMU Rec Sports — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: drop-in flag football Sundays 10-11 p.m. through Nov 15
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "Sundays from 10-11p.m. in the Superior Dome September 20th through November 15th"
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Facility Hours | NMU Rec Sports — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: drop-ins for recreation members only
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "Drop in programs are for recreation members only."
-
Facility Hours | NMU Rec Sports — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: dome closes in inclement weather; closures posted on Rec Sports Facebook/Instagram
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "The Superior Dome will be closed."
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Facility Hours | NMU Rec Sports — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: Berry Events Center not available for public walking, directs to dome
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "The Berry Events Center is not available for public walking. Please visit the Superior Dome for public walking hours."
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Superior Dome Walking/Running Track Hours, October 2026 (PDF) — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: October open days 6AM-9PM, some 6AM-5PM, some closed all day
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "WALKING/RUNNING TRACK HOURS – OCTOBER 2026 … 6AM-9PM … 6AM-5PM … CLOSED ALL DAY"
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Superior Dome Walking/Running Track Hours, October 2026 (PDF) — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: hours subject to change; closes when NMU closes for weather
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "Hours are subject to change … If NMU is closed due to inclement weather, the Superior Dome will also be closed"
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Superior Dome Walking/Running Track Hours, October 2026 (PDF) — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: football field never open to public
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "THE FOOTBALL FIELD IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT ANY TIME."
-
Superior Dome Walking/Running Track Hours, October 2026 (PDF) — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: children 16 and under need an adult
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "CHILDREN AGES 16 & UNDER MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT."
-
Superior Dome Walking/Running Track Hours, October 2026 (PDF) — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: change into alternate shoes on arrival
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "YOU MUST CHANGE INTO ALTERNATE SHOES WHEN YOU ARRIVE."
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Superior Dome Walking/Running Track Hours, October 2026 (PDF) — NMU Rec Sports
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: no bikes, scooters, rollerblades, balls, equipment, toys
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "BIKES, SCOOTERS, ROLLERBLADES, SOCCER BALLS/ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT OR TOYS ARE NOT PERMITTED."
Additional reporting
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Superior Dome – Northern Michigan University Athletics — NMU Wildcats Athletics
Published Aug. 16, 2021. Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: diameter 536 feet
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "The facility has a diameter of 536 feet."
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Superior Dome – Northern Michigan University Athletics — NMU Wildcats Athletics
Published Aug. 16, 2021. Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Supports: also home to soccer, track & field, lacrosse, and the United States National Training Site
Fetched Oct 19, 2026: "is now also home to Wildcat soccer, track & field, and lacrosse … The Superior Dome is also home of the United States National Training Site"
Photo and media credits
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The Superior Dome at Northern Michigan University, Marquette — Wikimedia Commons / Bobak Ha’Eri
Featured image record. Accessed Oct. 19, 2026. CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0.
Supports: Featured image: The Superior Dome at Northern Michigan University, Marquette
Media ID 4418; resized to 2000px; credit in caption and alt
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Inside the Superior Dome with the turf laid out — Wikimedia Commons / Touchdown483
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026. CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0.
Supports: Body image 2: Inside the Superior Dome with the turf laid out
Media ID 4419; resized to 2000px; credit in caption and alt
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The Superior Dome seen from Lake Superior — Wikimedia Commons / Touchdown483
Accessed Oct. 19, 2026. CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0.
Supports: Body image 3: The Superior Dome seen from Lake Superior
Media ID 4420; resized to 2000px; credit in caption and alt
