Toyota Stadium – stadium description

Construction of this venue was far from obvious and not welcome by all people in Toyota. Although the city was seen as favourite to host the 2002 World Cup, in December 1996 FIFA decided to replace it with Niigata that provided better transportation options. Authorities refused to give up on their plans and proceeded with the stadium. Even the fact that local residents gathered over 30,000 signatures against it.

Groundbreaking took place in September 1997 and construction lasted for well over 3 years following the concept of Kisho Kurokawa. The ground has a clearly distinctive form. Seating would have been a two-tiered bowl if it wasn’t for four massive masts that cut it into individual stands. The spires mounted among spectators support the roof structure that has a unique retractable part.

The fears of skeptics returned in July 2001, after concerts that inaugurated the venue. It turned out there is no tenant able to make use of the ground and hosting non-sporting events isn’t easy with stiff competition in the region. Eventually the football side Nagoya Grampus 8 became a regular tenant along with a local rugby team. Neither of them sell out tickets, but both provide decent attendances. Toyota Stadium had to wait until 2010 for its first competitive Japan international, against Bahrain.