What's New at the New Workers’ Stadium?
In 2020 we bid farewell to the city's beloved old Workers’ Stadium. Almost two years have gone by, with the plan being for the new Workers' Stadium to open by December 2022, just in time for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, according to a 2020 report from Beijing News.
And if a recent look at the stadium is anything to go by, it looks like things are chugging along – with the roof structure now in place and the exterior all but completed.
What are some of the specific changes coming to Gongti, though? Well, thanks to the Chaoyang News WeChat Account, we're able to get an inside-look of the arena, and it actually looks pretty amazing.
Upgraded seating
When fans walk into the stadium, they'll be surprised to find that the original layout of two tiers of seating has been changed to four tiers. Additionally, there will be lounges for fans to take a break from the match and enjoy food and refreshments.
Capacity increased to 68,000
The reconstructed stadium will no longer have a running track. This means viewers in the lower seats will have closer proximity to the field – 8.5 meters away from the action, to be exact. Moreover, around 2,000 seats will be added, bringing the total seating capacity of the stadium to 68,000.
A bigger and better roof
One of the biggest complaints about the old Workers' Stadium was that the narrow old roof just barely covered select seats on the uppermost parts of the stadium, with all other areas left uncovered. That won't be a problem anymore, as the stadium will be equipped with a bigger roof that can cover the entire stadium, thus protecting visitors at all times, whether there's rain or shine.
A new commercial area?
Sure, the original stadium has hosted soccer matches and some big-name concerts over the years, but now it looks like the new digs will go beyond that.
The new stadium will have a new underground commercial space, which, in lieu of the clubs and other venues that used to flank the sides of the old stadium, will turn the area into an entertainment venue for people to eat, shop, and have fun. The underground complex will also act as a connection between the as of yet to-be-completed subway lines 3 and 17, with plans to connect the space to Taikoo Li in the future.
What are your thoughts on the redevelopment of Workers' Stadium and the Gongti area? Do you have any fond memories of the old stadium? Let us know in the comments!
Read: Why the Heck Would You Want to Visit Tongzhou Anyway?
Images: Sylvia, 北京朝阳，北京日报, sports.sina.com.cn
