Kincho Stadium – design description

Just like their rivals at Gamba, Cerezo announced plans of changing their stadium. This time it’s not about relocation, even though the 2002 World Cup Nagai Stadium stands just meters away. It’s far too big, already dated and most importantly: has a running track.

Thus the decision to upgrade and expand their current home, despite limited space available. Only the main grandstand (east) would remain largely unchanged. Modest northern stand, last one added to the current stadium, would receive further sections and grow as far as nearby street allows.

West and south stands on the other hand would be completely rebuilt, eventually leading to the stadium capacity almost doubling. Both new stands will be covered. The southern one with polycarbonate, to allow sunlight access to the field. Western one with more opaque materials, on which solar panels would be placed. The south will allow placing hotel or other structures underneath the terracing.

Using solar power is only one of the efforts to make it an “eco stadium”. This is combined with vertical gardens on the new stands’ facades and numerous cherry trees, making the place feel more cozy and welcoming.

The entire project is estimated to cost ¥ 5 billion and be built within 2 years. Because Cerezo want to build it completely with donations, they’ve set up a deadline of 2 years to collect the amount. But even if the sum is not there in 2017, works would go ahead, possibly with club’s own funding used, despite the stadium being owned entirely publicly.