Ajinomoto Stadium, also known as Tokyo Stadium in AFC Champions League, is a multi-purpose stadium in Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan. The stadium was founded at Kantō Mura, the redevelopment area formerly used by United States Forces Japan, in March 2001. It was the first stadium in Japan that offered its naming rights, which were sold to Ajinomoto Co., Inc. with a 5-year 1.2 billion yen contract, from March 2003 to February 2008. As a result, it was named Ajinomoto Stadium. This contract was renewed in November 2007 and extended by 6 years for 1.4 billion yen to February 2014, and in October 2013, the second renewal of the contract extended the term to February 2019.
Overview
The stadium is the home of J1 Leaguefootball clubFC Tokyo and J2 Leaguefootball club Tokyo Verdy and is used as the venue of some lower divisions of football leagues. Rugby union games are also held there. For the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia's national team based their training camp at Chōfu and used the stadium as a main training ground, although it did not host an actual World Cup match. The stadium is often used for non-sport events, such as concerts and flea markets. It has been used as a shelter for survivors of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The stadium is one of the planned football venues for the 2020 Summer Olympics. During the Olympics, the stadium will be known as Tokyo Stadium due to International Olympic Committee's non-commercialization policy. The stadium has also been one of the venues for 2019 Rugby World Cup and hosted the opening ceremony, followed by the opening match of the tournament, as well as other 7 matches including Bronze Final.
Site
The north end of the stadium adjoins the Chofu Airport, while Route 20 runs close to the south end. At the south end is the main gate, which is directly connected by a pedestrian bridge over Route 20.
Stand
The stand accommodates 49,970 and is divided into two levels; the upper level accommodates 20,600 and the lower level 29,370. On each level, the stand is divided into four sections. The whole of the upper level, as well as upper tiers of the lower level, is covered by roof, which is made of Teflon and polycarbonate. The main stand houses media and hospitality boxes, VIP rooms and reception hall. Two large LED displays are installed at both sides.
Ground
The ground was originally designed for both athletics and football games. However, the construction of the supplementary ground, which is needed for compliance with 1st-grade athletic grounds in Japan, has been postponed. The management company has decided to use the ground mainly for football, and not to install a running track until the supplementary pitch has been added. Currently artificial turf is laid down all over the ground except the football field area, over which natural turf is spread. Consequently, there is some room between the football pitch and the stand. In 2013, the athletics track was finally installed in order to host the National Sports Festival of Japan at the same year. However, the artificial turf is still used over the track for football matches. In order to comply with height limitation close to the airport, the pitch is sunk below the level of the land around the stadium.
