Hangzhou International Sports Center Stadium – design description

When was the concept for a new football stadium in Hangzhou created?

In 2021, an architectural concept competition was announced for a new sports complex in Hangzhou, the centrepiece of which was to be a 60,000-seater, football-specific stadium. Renowned architectural studios were invited to participate in the competition. In March 2022, the winning concept was selected by the British studio Zaha Hadid Architects.

When will Hangzhou International Sports Center Stadium be built?

You can see coverage of the construction of Hangzhou International Sports Center Stadium on a separate subpage

Construction of the main stadium began in October 2023, with China Construction Third Engineering Bureau as the main contractor, and the stadium is expected to cost 2.917 billion yuan. Construction of the entire complex began in full force in February 2024, when work on the sports hall and swimming pool also began. The cost of the entire project is 9.58 billion yuan, and it is expected to be completed in April 2027.

What will the new sports complex in Hangzhou be like?

The complex is to be built in the booming western suburbs of Hangzhou, in the so-called Future Science and Technology District. The designated plot of land is 26.39 hectares in size. It is close to the metro stations of lines 3, 5 and 16.

In addition to the main component of the complex, which will be a stadium, the project also includes two other large-scale facilities. These will be: An indoor arena for 18,000 spectators and an indoor swimming complex with a 50-meter pool and an auditorium for 3,000 people.

All three buildings will be located close to each other. They will be linked by an elevated platform of 45,000 m², underneath which will be various spaces, including training halls, changing rooms, offices, shops, restaurants and cafés. The rest of the surroundings will be park areas with water bodies, squares, paths and training pitches.

What will the stadium in the new Hangzhou Sports Complex be like?

The stadium will take the form of a white, flat disc with an oval outline and a gently contoured saddle-shaped roof. The façade will be formed by horizontal slats, which give the arena an original, futuristic appearance thanks to their gentle concaves and curves. The resulting recesses will provide space for viewing terraces stocked with catering. At night, the arena will be able to be illuminated.

The multi-layered façade is inspired by the terraced tea plantations found in the hills around Hangzhou. The roof surface will be varied by elliptical striations following the contour shape; this motif will also be visible on the roof of the sports hall and the swimming complex. A large section of the stadium roof will be covered with a transparent coating.

The pitch in the stadium will be located along a north-south axis. The auditorium will be divided into three tiers, with the exception of the stand behind one of the goals, where the lower and middle tiers will be connected to make it easier for the most ardent fans to create match choreography.

The facility will meet high standards in terms of sustainability. The complex is expected to use rainwater and renewable energy, and the stadium's see-through façade will allow natural ventilation of the interior. The design has been optimised to use as few materials as possible, and those that will be used for construction are to be recycled and locally sourced wherever possible.

The new stadium will be the first professional football venue in Hangzhou. The city already has two large stadiums (Yellow Dragon Stadium and Hangzhou Sports Park Stadium), but both have an athletics track.

The likely host of the new arena will be Zhejiang FC football club. In addition to football matches, the stadium will be able to host competitions in other sports as well as non-sporting events. With a varied offer, additional facilities, commercial functions and recreational areas, the complex is expected to attract people not only during the events held there.