Wow. Look at Ajinomoto Stadium. This impressive structure isn’t just a stadium it’s a piece of Tokyo’s history. Opened in March 2001 it was revolutionary. It was the first stadium in Japan to sell its naming rights. Ajinomoto Co Inc secured those rights for a whopping 12 billion yen. That’s about 10 million US dollars. Think of that.
Ajinomoto Stadium is more than just a place for football matches. It’s a multi-purpose venue. FC Tokyo and Tokyo Verdy call this place home. They share this impressive field. The stadium also hosts rugby games. It even served as a training ground for Saudi Arabia’s national team during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Though they didn’t play a World Cup game here the stadium played a vital part.
The stadium’s role extended beyond sports. It’s been a concert venue a flea market a shelter for those affected by the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Ajinomoto Stadium stood strong. It even hosted the rugby matches of the 2020 Summer Olympics. For the Olympics it was known simply as Tokyo Stadium because of IOC rules. It also hosted seven games of the 2019 Rugby World Cup including the opening ceremony and the opening match.
Ajinomoto Stadium holds 49970 people. The seating is divided into two levels. The upper level has 20600 seats and the lower level boasts 29370 seats. All are seated. The stadium has a roof mostly made of Teflon and polycarbonate. This covers most of the upper level and upper tiers of the lower level. The main stand has media and hospitality boxes. There are VIP rooms and a reception hall too. Large LED displays are a modern addition improving viewing.
The stadium was designed for athletics and football. However the running track wasn’t initially installed. It focused mainly on football. The track was finally installed in 2013. This was to host the National Sports Festival of Japan. The stadium’s field is sunk below ground level. This is due to height restrictions near Chofu Airport. Ajinomoto Stadium truly is a marvel of engineering and adaptability.
So next time you’re in Chofu Tokyo take some time to appreciate Ajinomoto Stadium. It’s more than just a place for sporting events. It represents resilience innovation and the spirit of Tokyo itself.