Guangdong Olympic Stadium

History

Guangdong Olympic Stadium broke ground on 31 December 1998 at the former site of Huangcun Airport. It opened to the public for the Ninth National Games of China in 2001. It was originally planned to help host the 2008 Summer Olympics until a decision was made to construct the National Stadium in Beijing. The original design for the Guangdong Olympic Stadium was announced in 1999. Taking Guangzhou's nickname, the Flower City, the American architectural firm of Ellerbe Becket designed Guangdong Olympic Stadium's sunscreen roof to resemble layers of petals on a flower. The design firm stated in its press release: "The stadium bowl grows out of the ground to a sculpted upper edge, like the petals of a flower. Floating above the bowl is a shimmering ribbon of roof flowing like a wave over the seats. It parts at the ends and holds the Olympic flame, suspended between the two ribbons. A hotel surrounds a circular opening in the roof that forms a vertical tower of light, which at night is visible for a great distance." The stadium's multi-colored seats are positioned in multiple sections that are visually connected via a ribbon pattern. In 2025, new seats were installed.

Major events

• Guangzhou Pharmaceutical F.C. hosted the English Premier League champions Manchester United here on 27 July 2007.
• Guangzhou Pharmaceutical F.C. hosted Chelsea on 23 July 2008 in Chelsea's first-ever trip to China.
• The stadium hosted the athletics events of the 2010 Asian Games and Asian Para Games, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the Asian Para Games. The ceremonies for 2010 Asian Games were held at a stand at Haixinsha Island in Tianhe District.
• Westlife's The Wild Dreams Tour on 16 September 2023
• The World Athletics Relays on 10 and 11 May 2025

References

References

1. (January 2020). "广东省奥林匹克体育中心". Guangdong Sports Bureau.
2. "Chinese Architecture- Guangdong Olympic Stadium". Chinese-architecture.info.
3. [http://www.ellerbebecket.com/expertise/project/58/Guangdong_Olympic_Stadium.html Guangdong Olympic Stadium] {{webarchive. link. (29 May 2012 architect: [[Ellerbe Becket]])
4. "Chinese Architecture- Guangdong Olympic Stadium". Chinese-architecture.info.
5. Zhang, Tristin. (8 April 2018). "The Story Behind China's Largest Sports Stadium". That's Mag.
6. "ArchitectureWeek – Design – China's Banner Stadium – 2002.0501".
7. "Guangdong Olympic Stadium". Archiplanet.
8. https://ysln.ycwb.com/content/2025-04/21/content_53366378.html