Binzhou National Health and Culture Center Stadium – stadium description

How did the new sports complex in Binzhou come about?

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Binzhou city authorities began planning the construction of a large sports complex. The complex was to be built in the so-called Binzhou New District, an area that at the time could be described as the north-western suburbs of Binzhou, although today these areas are already highly urbanized and part of the urban fabric.

A plot of land of almost 100 ha was designated for the construction of the so-called Binzhou Olympic Park. The foundation stone was laid on December 28, 2006, and work first began in the south-western part of the plot, where the so-called Education Center was built.

The main element of the Education Center is a sports hall (Binzhou Olympic Park Gymnasium) with a capacity of 7,000 spectators (including 5,000 fixed seats), built between 2007 and 2009, which hosted the judo and wushu taolu competitions of the 11th Chinese National Games in October 2009.

In the following years, further buildings and sports facilities were built on the site of the complex. The so-called National Health and Culture Center, which occupies the south-eastern section of the Binzhou Olympic Park, was built as the latest addition.

What is Binzhou National Health and Culture Center?

The main elements that make up the National Health and Culture Center (part of the Binzhou Olympic Park) are a 34,000-seat multi-purpose stadium and a building that is known as the National Fitness Center, which includes gymnasiums, basketball and badminton arenas and swimming pools.

The architectural concept for the Binzhou National Health and Culture Center Stadium can be viewed on a separate subpage

When was the new stadium in Binzhou built?

An account of the construction of the Binzhou National Health and Culture Center Stadium can be viewed on a separate subpage

Construction of the National Health and Culture Center officially began on May 29, 2021. The main contractor for the stadium was China Railway Construction Engineering Group Second Company. The construction of the stadium along with the fitness center cost 1.644 billion yuan. The facilities were commissioned on February 6, 2024, when a special ceremony was held combining their opening with the inauguration of the 3rd Citizen Culture Festival. On March 9, 2024, the stadium hosted its first sporting event (local athletics competition).

What does Binzhou Olympic Park look like?

Binzhou Olympic Park is a sprawling complex comprising many buildings and sports facilities. The central part of the complex is occupied by a small pond. In the south-eastern part of the complex is the so-called Education Center, which includes an elliptical sports hall with stands for 7,000 spectators. In the north-eastern section of the plot, a so-called Culture Center has been built.

The area to the north of the lake is a fitness zone with a large number of sports fields for various disciplines. The north-eastern part of the complex is the so-called Technology Center, and the south-eastern zone is occupied by the National Health and Culture Center, of which the main stadium of the complex is a part.

Within the complex there are various sports facilities and other buildings, along with numerous playing fields, tennis courts and recreational paths and areas, as well as access roads and car parks.

What does the new stadium in Binzhou look like?

The main stadium of Binzhou Olympic Park is equipped with an athletics track and stands capable of holding 34,000 spectators. A lower ring of spectators surrounds the running track on all sides, and second tiers of stands have been built along the pitch, on both sides.

A huge steel frame was built around the stands, forming the façade and roof covering the entire auditorium. The façade of the building was clad in decorative glass and aluminum panels. An elevated entrance promenade was created around the stadium. The building's form earned it the nickname 'Bird's Nest of Binzhou' (due to its similarities to the National Stadium in Beijing).

What was the purpose of creating a new stadium in Binzhou?

The new stadium serves as the main sports venue in the city and is capable of hosting a variety of sporting and cultural events at regional and national level. The establishment of National Health and Culture Center completes the Binzhou Olympic Park, which has been under construction since 2006, as its final component.