Lanzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium – stadium description

How was the new representative sports complex in Lanzhou built?

On July 27, 2019, the construction of a huge, representative sports complex in Lanzhou was officially launched. A striking design bespoke to the ambitions of the rapidly growing metropolis of four million people, once an important point along the Silk Road, has been approved. The plan included a complex consisting of five major venues, including the most important one, a 60,000-seat stadium.

The first big test for the new sports complex was the 15th Gansu Provincial Games, with the opening ceremony held on September 17, 2022 at the main stadium.

What do dancing flowers have in common with the Lanzhou sports complex?

The main theme that inspired the designers is the concept of "the flower rain along the Silk Road". According to this idea, each of the five main buildings of the complex presents motifs relating to five different flowers. Thus, alongside the 'rose' stadium, there is a 'tulip' sports hall, a 'lily' swimming pool, a tennis hall inspired by the lotus flower and the 'orchid', an apartment building for athletes.

A number of smaller facilities have also been built within the complex, including additional pitches and tennis courts or a (partly underground) car park for 4,500 vehicles. The landscaping of the complex is based on motifs reminiscent of the ribbons known from the Dunhuang Feitian costumes.

What does the new stadium in Lanzhou look like?

The main facility of the entire complex is a multi-purpose stadium with an athletics track. Located on the banks of the Yellow River, the venue has three-tiered stands with a total capacity of 60,000 seats. Two rings of stands surround the running track on all sides, while the third, highest level was built only along the pitch (on both sides).

A steel skeleton surrounds the auditorium, forming both the roof and the external façade. The structure was clad with aluminum panels in a warm, dark gold color. At night, the arena can be illuminated from the outside, creating a striking visual effect.