Workers’ Stadium – design description

How did the construction of the new Workers' Stadium happen?

Workers' Stadium (also known as 'Gongti') was opened in 1959, for the 10th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Over the years, it has been the main stadium in the Chinese capital and has hosted numerous events, including the Asian Games (1990), Universiade (2001) and Asian Cup (2004). Prior to the 2008 Olympic Games, the venue was upgraded. At the same time, with the creation of the 'Bird's Nest', it lost its status as Beijing's main stadium.

The redevelopment of the run-down venue had been planned for some time, with the additional boost provided by the awarding of the 2023 Asian Cup to China in 2019. The old Workers' Stadium was to be demolished so that a completely new venue could stand in its place. Among other things, the new arena was to host the 2023 Asian Cup final and the opening ceremony of the tournament.

When will the new Workers' Stadium be built?

The old stadium was demolished in August 2020 and construction of the new arena began in its place. Sinobo Group is the main contractor for the venue. Construction is scheduled to be completed in December 2022. In the meantime, in May 2022, China resigned from hosting the 2023 Asian Cup due to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

What will the new Workers' Stadium look like?

The new stadium will be built on the exact site of its predecessor. However, it will be a football-specific facility, without an athletics track. The capacity of the stadium will reach 68,000 spectators, slightly more than the old stadium could hold. The stands of the stadium will be fully covered, unlike the previous facility, where most of the seating for the audience remained uncovered. The venue will offer extensive commercial and catering functions.

The new stadium will have numerous references to the traditions associated with the old Workers' Stadium, one of the most significant being the restoration of the distinctive concrete facade with 80 columns. The facility will be suitable for a range of sporting and non-sporting events, including large concerts. The stadium's day-to-day user will be the Beijing Guoan FC football club, a participant in the Chinese Super League, which also played at the former venue.

The stadium's stands will surround the pitch on all sides and the first rows will be on an elevated level. The auditorium will consist of four tiers, although the second and third levels (especially the third) will be relatively narrow. The exception will be the stand behind the north goal, which will be divided into two tiers only. It is intended to cater for Beijing Guoan FC's most die-hard supporters.

The top edge of the auditorium will be slightly waved to match the oval outline of the stadium. Interestingly, the stands behind the goals will be slightly higher than those along the pitch. The stands will feature folding seats in green, referring to the colours of Beijing Guoan FC.

A dome-shaped roof will be built over the stands. Its structure will consist of steel beams, forming a repeating triangular pattern. The covering will be made of transparent material and the outer perimeter will be clad with photovoltaic panels. There will be floodlights under the roof, as well as two LED screens, located above the stands behind the goals.

The stadium will be located a few kilometres from Beijing's inner city. A new metro station is expected to open near the arena in 2023, where two lines will intersect. Parking facilities will also be available for visitors.