Sapporo Dome – stadium description

Construction of the new Sapporo central stadium began in 1998, long before its first tournament. According to FIFA deadlines, Sapporo Dome was ready well before the 2002 World Cup, already in March 2001. The stadium held three games during the first Asian World Cup, all in group stage.

Sapporo Dome is among the world's most innovative stadiums. It's the only one worldwide to have both domed roof over the whole venue and a sliding pitch at the same time. This came as an attempt to build sensible compromise between the needs of two most popular disciplines and rough climate of Hokkaido island.

Winters here are very cold and snowy, making some events not possible to be held in the open even during the season. And there are two key tenants, both for football and baseball. Baseball players have an artificial pitch that can be laid once the natural turf for football slides out. It rests outside on non-matchdays and throughout winter, being welcomed with shovels by supporters and officials once spring comes, before each J.League season.

Finally, there are mobile stands in the lower parts, that may either encircle a baseball and football pitch. Upper seating is elliptically shaped to provide good sightlines for viewers in both disciplines.

This variety of functions allowed not only hosting the two disciplines, but also various skiing or even rally events. Football use is the regular one, though, with Consadole using Sapporo Dome as one of their two homes.

Interestingly, the stadium also has a viewpoint suspended under the roof. The deck is covered with a glass tube and spreads way out of the dome, giving a great view of the landscape.