Saitama Super Arena
A colossal stage where idols prove their worth to thousands of cheering fans.
The Saitama Super Arena, currently known as GMO Arena for sponsorship reasons, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Chūō-ku, Saitama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. While it opened preliminarily on May 5, 2000, its official opening followed on September 1 of the same year. Designed by Dan Meis and Nikken Sekkei after an international competition, the venue features a gigantic movable seating section to adjust capacity for smaller events. With a maximum capacity of 36,500 and a main arena range between 19,000 and 22,500, it stands as one of Japan's most versatile performance spaces.
Quick Facts
- Location
- 8 Shintoshin, Chūō-ku, Saitama, Saitama, Japan
- Opened
- 1 September 2000
- Owner
- Saitama Arena Corp.
- Cost
- YEN ¥ 20 billion
- USD $ 195 million
- EUR € 142 million
- Architect
- Dan Meis; Ellerbe Becket
- Former names
- Saitama Super Arena (2000–2026)
- Capacity
- 36,500 (maximum capacity)
- 27,000 (stadium setting)
- 22,500 (arena setting)
Lore & Background
It strictly documents the real-world history and usage of the Saitama Super Arena as a physical venue. Consequently, there are no canon events within this text describing idols graduating from smaller clubs to this stage, nor any fictionalized accounts of training arcs or agency competitions set here. The arena is presented solely as a factual location equipped for various sports, concerts, and professional wrestling, with no mention of the specific fictional universe elements requested.
Reader's Guide
It describes the physical attributes of the real-world arena: a design by Dan Meis featuring movable seating to reduce capacity and create intimacy. It is the only Japanese arena equipped especially for American football and has hosted basketball competitions at the 2020 Summer Olympics. It lists specific dates for renovations, beginning December 1, 2015, and January 13, 2026.
Did You Know?
- Formerly housing the John Lennon Museum, which closed in 2010, the venue has undergone two renovations starting December 1, 2015, and January 13, 2026.
- Yuzuru Hanyu returned to the arena on June 7, 2022, for a sold-out solo ice show tour coinciding with his 30th birthday.
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