Xi’an, China – The newly completed Xi’an International Football Center, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), has officially opened its doors, hosting its inaugural international matches where China’s National U-23 team faced squads from Australia, Timor-Leste, and the Northern Mariana Islands. These games form part of the Group D qualifying rounds for the 2026 Asian Cup, to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Building the Future of Football in China
The Xi’an International Football Center, featuring a 60,000-seat stadium and state-of-the-art training grounds, represents a major investment in the growth of football across China. Authorized by the Chinese Football Association and national sports authorities, the complex provides first-rate facilities that support every level of the sport, from international tournaments to youth training academies and community leagues. The center aims to unite generations of players and fans through football’s shared culture and enthusiasm.
Strategically located in the Fengdong district and integrated with Line 16 of Xi’an’s expanding metro system, the stadium’s open façades and urban terraces invite the city inward, connecting public life with sport. Surrounding plazas and terraces offer panoramic views across Xi’an while serving as vibrant spaces for cultural events and performances year-round.
The stadium’s comprehensive geometries are tailored to local climate conditions. The curved roof forms help deflect cold northern winds during Xi’an’s harsh winters while optimizing seating comfort at midfield. A lightweight cable-net roof structure reduces material use and embodied carbon, with an overhanging perimeter roof shading concourses and terraces in the summer months.
A translucent membrane over the seating bowl shields spectators from both sun and rain while maintaining abundant natural light for the pitch. This design also supports optimal turf growth, ensuring consistent playing conditions throughout the year.
Rooted in Xi’an’s long tradition of cultural exchange, the Football Center by Zaha Hadid Architects extends this legacy through a contemporary venue designed to serve as a hub for civic activity and sport. It reflects the city’s ongoing investment in world-class infrastructure and community well-being.
Xi’an International Football Center ZHA Project details
Project Name: Xi’an International Football Center
Location: Xi’an, China
Client: Chinese Football Association / National Sports Development Authorities
Timeline: 2020–2025
Status: Completed (Design Phase: 2020–2025)
Capacity: 60,000 seats
Site Area: 186,666.69 m²
Features: Saddle-shaped cable-net roof, open urban terraces, integrated public realm
Photography by Hufton+Crow.
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