石家庄裕彤国际体育中心

Shijiazhuang Yutong International Sports Center stands at the southeast corner of Zhongshan East Road and Tiyu Avenue in Chang'an district, Shijiazhuang, on the commercial spine of the city axis, about 3.5 km from the old railway station, 8 km from Shijiazhuang station and 30 km from the airport. Work began in August 1992 and the centre opened in August 1996 at a cost of 350 million yuan. It covers 110 mu with 100,400 sqm of floor area, or 73,800 sqm under another official count, in a two-storey frame 45.88 m high. Hong Kong's New World Development held 55 per cent, with the Shijiazhuang Sports Bureau and Hualian Trading holding 45 per cent. The stadium is built on the second level, with shops and commercial space on the ground floor and around the perimeter, a commercial-sport hybrid summed up as supporting sport through commerce and promoting commerce through sport; it is described as the country's only elevated large stadium. The upper level holds a standard grass football pitch and synthetic athletics track, with stands for 35,000 to 38,000 spectators and, beneath the seating, eight 100 m sprint lanes, training rooms, VIP rooms and athletes' facilities. The centre was renovated in 2013, 2014 and 2016 and now mixes sports retail, restaurants and coaching. Operated by Shijiazhuang Yutong Sports Industry Development, it is the home of Shijiazhuang Kungfu FC and a regular venue for concerts, exhibitions and public fitness. It is owned by the Shijiazhuang Sports Bureau and managed by the Yutong company, one of the city's state-owned venue operators. The name Yutong comes from Cheng Yu-tung, the New World executive whose company held the majority stake.