Seasonal vs permanent air dome – I have had this exact conversation with hundreds of facility owners and the right answer is rarely obvious.
Choosing between a seasonal and a permanent air dome is one of the most consequential decisions in any sports facility project. Get it right and you match your capital and operating cost profile to your actual usage pattern. Get it wrong and you either overpay in capital, or lose revenue you could have captured.
The core difference
Seasonal dome: erected in autumn, deflated and removed in spring. The membrane and mechanical equipment are stored during the off-season.
Permanent dome: installed once and remains in place year-round. Provides 12-month indoor capacity.
Head-to-head comparison
| Factor | Seasonal dome | Permanent dome |
|---|---|---|
| Capital cost | 60–75% of equivalent permanent | 100% baseline |
| Annual installation/removal | £10,000–£30,000 / $12,000–$38,000 | None |
| Foundation | Ground anchors or ballast | Concrete ring beam (typically) |
| Summer income | Outdoor courts generate revenue | Full indoor revenue 12 months |
| Planning | Often permitted as temporary structure | Usually requires full planning permission |
| Membrane lifespan | 15–25 years | 12–20 years (same material, more UV) |
| Revenue potential | 5–7 months indoor / 5–7 months outdoor | 12 months indoor |
| Break-even period | Typically 2–4 years | Typically 4–7 years |
When a seasonal dome is the right choice
- You already have high-value outdoor courts or pitches in summer.
- Your market is in a temperate climate with defined playing seasons.
- Your capital budget is constrained.
- Planning permission for a permanent structure is difficult.
Typical seasonal dome payback period:
| Dome size | Capital cost | Annual dome income (net) | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-court tennis bubble | $150,000–$240,000 | $55,000–$90,000 | 2–3 years |
| 4-court tennis / pickleball | $320,000–$550,000 | $100,000–$200,000 | 2–4 years |
| Small soccer dome | $480,000–$750,000 | $120,000–$250,000 | 3–5 years |
When a permanent dome is the right choice
- Your climate is cold or wet for most of the year.
- You want to build a full indoor sports business.
- You are covering new courts rather than existing ones.
- You have a long lease or own the land outright.
- Energy cost management is a priority.
Typical permanent dome payback period:
| Dome size | Capital cost | Annual dome income (net) | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-court tennis dome | $500,000–$800,000 | $110,000–$220,000 | 3–6 years |
| Multi-sport (5-a-side + courts) | $800,000–$1,500,000 | $180,000–$380,000 | 4–6 years |
| Large indoor sports centre | $2,000,000–$4,000,000 | $350,000–$800,000 | 5–8 years |
The total cost of ownership comparison (4-court dome, 20 years)
| Cost element | Seasonal dome | Permanent dome |
|---|---|---|
| Year 0 capital cost | $420,000 | $600,000 |
| Annual install/removal (20 years) | $280,000 total | $0 |
| Energy costs (20 years) | $450,000 total | $650,000 total |
| Membrane replacement (year 15) | $90,000 | $120,000 |
| Maintenance (20 years) | $160,000 total | $180,000 total |
| Total 20-year cost | $1,400,000 | $1,550,000 |
| Approximate revenue (20 yrs) | $2,400,000 | $4,600,000 |
| Net 20-year position | +$1,000,000 | +$3,050,000 |
Decision framework
| Question | Lean seasonal if… | Lean permanent if… |
|---|---|---|
| What is your summer outdoor revenue? | High | Low or zero |
| How many months per year is outdoor sport impractical? | 4–6 months | 7+ months |
| What is your lease length on the site? | Under 15 years | 15+ years or freehold |
| Do you need 12-month revenue certainty? | No | Yes |
| Is planning permission for permanent structure viable? | No | Yes |
HeroX AirDomes has installed both seasonal and permanent air-supported structures across the US, UK, Europe, and UAE.