Featured image credit: Arne Müseler/CC BY-SA 3.0 DE
A consortium led by Japan’s largest mobile phone carrier NTT Docomo is aiming to increase the permanent capacity at Tokyo’s National Stadium from 68,000 to 80,000 with possible future hosting of the FIFA World Cup in mind.
The company is due to take over operations of the Tokyo venue in April 2025 once it is privatised and also plans to add pitch-side seating.
The stadium, which was built for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, was designed to be renovated following the event as an 80,000-seater specifically for football and rugby.
However, a policy change has so far left its athletics track and original capacity untouched.
“We have a plan to set up the number of seats, including some temporary ones, required for the World Cup,” NTT Docomo said, as reported by Japan Today.
The Japan Football Association has a long-term plan to stage the World Cup as a sole host by 2050 after previously co-hosting the 2002 tournament alongside South Korea.
FIFA has allocated hosts for its showpiece event in 2026 and 2030 but the 2034 edition is available. The organisation has set minimum requirements for stadiums hosting the opening game and final to hold at least 80,000 people.
It also mandates 60,000-seat venues for the semi-finals.
NTT Docomo is also considering installing a giant screen which is expected to be one of, if not the biggest, in Japan.
The consortium was established last month by NTT Docomo, the J.League, Maeda Corporation and SMFL Mirai Partners. It was designated by the Japan Sports Council, which owns the National Stadium, as its preferred negotiating partner.
The Japanese government proposed offering up to ¥1bn (£4.9m/$6.2m/€5.7m) in annual costs but none of the bidders requested public funds.
Ultimately, the 30-year operating licence was awarded for ¥52.8bn.
The National Stadium is set to host the 2025 World Athletics Championships from September 13 to 21.
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