National Stadium Tokyo

Lore & Background

The construction of a new National Stadium for Tokyo 2020 was first announced in February 2012; the new stadium was originally set to use a design by British architect Zaha Hadid, which featured an arch-based appearance and a retractable roof. Following criticism of its design and expected costs, the Japanese government scrapped the original plans and began soliciting new bids. In December 2015, the Japan Sport Council accepted a bid by Taisei Corporation and Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Construction would begin in December 2016. The stadium's inauguration took place on 21 December 2019 with a special ceremony. The inaugural sporting event, the 2019 Emperor's Cup final, took place on 1 January 2020.

Reader's Guide

The stadium is located in Tokyo, Japan. It is a multipurpose venue used for association football and rugby union events. The stadium uses timber sourced from all 47 prefectures of Japan. The roof incorporates transparent solar panels, and rainwater is collected for irrigation. Accessibility features include more than 450 places for wheelchair users.

Did You Know?

• The stadium's roof is constructed over spectator seating only, and air conditioning was abandoned to reduce costs.
• The athletics track is a permanent feature, and the stadium hosted the 2025 World Athletics Championships as its first major spectator event for athletics.
• After the operating rights were franchised in April 2025, MUFG is expected to acquire naming rights starting in 2026.