New Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium – design description

What does the new Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium project involve?

One of Japan’s most important rugby stadiums is set to be rebuilt slightly north of its current location – right next to the new National Stadium, the main venue of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The project forms part of a broader redevelopment plan that also includes the future construction of a new baseball stadium.

The defining feature of the new stadium will be its fully enclosed roof. Inside, seating for 15,000 spectators will be provided, while one end of the pitch will be fitted with a large video screen integrated into a solid end wall. In addition to rugby matches, the arena will be designed to host concerts and other large-scale events.

What is the current Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium like?

Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium opened in 1947. It has a capacity of over 27,000 spectators, with stands located close to the pitch. The venue is named after Prince Chichibu, who was well known for his passion for rugby.

The stadium is regarded as one of Japan’s key rugby venues and has frequently hosted major domestic competitions and international matches. However, it was not selected as one of the venues for the 2019 Rugby World Cup held in Japan.

The stadium is located near central Tokyo and forms part of a wider sports complex. Adjacent facilities include the National Stadium, the Meiji Jingu baseball stadium, Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, as well as several smaller sports grounds.

The complex is dominated by the new National Stadium, built between 2016 and 2019 for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The sports facilities are located next to a large park area known as Meiji Jingu Gaien (the Outer Gardens of Meiji Shrine).

When did plans for the new Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium emerge?

Plans to redevelop the two stadiums located around the National Stadium – the rugby venue (Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium) and the baseball venue (Meiji Jingu Stadium) – were first announced on April 1, 2015, in a joint statement by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Japan Sports Council, and the operator of Meiji Jingu Gaien.

On February 25, 2019, the Japan Sports Council, the Meiji Jingu Gaien operator, and the private companies Mitsui Fudosan and Itochu Corporation signed a preliminary agreement on the redevelopment of the two stadiums.

The final concept called for the construction of two entirely new stadiums for rugby and baseball to replace the existing venues. The facilities were to be built by private companies, which were offered a 30-year concession to operate them.

In early 2021, it was decided that the new rugby stadium would be fully roofed. The final design was heavily influenced by Paris La Défense Arena, which impressed Japanese officials during the France vs Japan rugby match held there in 2017.

On August 22, 2022, the Japan Sports Council announced that a consortium led by Kajima Corporation had been selected as the private partner for the project. At the same time, the first renderings and key details of the new rugby stadium – which was to be developed first – were released.

The winning consortium, operating under the name Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Co., Ltd. (initially known as Scrum for New Chichibunomiya), includes Kajima Corporation, Mitsui Fudosan, Tokyo Dome Corporation, Tokyo Tatemono, and other entities. The architectural design of the new rugby stadium was developed in cooperation with Populous.

What does the new Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium project involve?

What is the broader redevelopment plan for the rugby and baseball stadiums around the National Stadium?

The new rugby stadium is planned to be built slightly north of the current Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, on the site of the auxiliary baseball facility adjacent to Meiji Jingu Stadium. As a result, the new venue will stand directly next to the National Stadium. Once the new arena opens, the existing Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium will be demolished.

Further plans envisage the construction of a new baseball stadium on the site of the old Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, while the existing Meiji Jingu Stadium will also be demolished. Its site will be transformed into landscaped public green space known as Central Plaza, located between the new rugby and baseball stadiums. The overall redevelopment scheme is called the Jingu Gaien Area Urban Development Project.

What will the new Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium be like?

The defining feature of the new rugby stadium will be its fully roofed structure. It will be built adjacent to the National Stadium, with an architectural design intended to harmonize with the surrounding buildings.

The stands will accommodate approximately 15,000 spectators and will be arranged in two tiers along the length of the pitch. Various premium seating options will be available, along with accessible seating for spectators with disabilities. One end of the field will feature a wall with a large video screen.

While the stadium is primarily designed for rugby, it will also be capable of hosting a wide range of events, particularly concerts (with a capacity of up to 25,000), as well as exhibitions, conferences, and other gatherings. The building will also house a sports museum.

The stadium’s naming rights sponsor will be the banking group SMBC, and its commercial name will be “SMBC Olive SQUARE.” The venue will also be known as the “New Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.”

When will the new Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium be completed?

Before construction began, in 2023, the auxiliary baseball facility on the site was demolished to make way for the new rugby stadium. Site preparation and clearing continued until 2025.

Construction officially commenced on February 3, 2026, with a groundbreaking ceremony and press conference held on February 12, 2026.

The new rugby stadium is scheduled to open in 2030. The full redevelopment project, including the construction of the second stadium for baseball, will take several additional years to complete.