On April 16, a ground-breaking ceremony was held in the city of Guangzhou, China, for what is to be the world’s largest soccer stadium. The most controversial aspect of the project was not its $1.7 billion price tag, but its bold lotus shape causing a backlash from the local architectural community but praise from the general public.
Aside from the Guangzhou soccer stadium, many other ongoing large scale projects around the world have prompted a reflection on the future of sports architecture. We have compiled a list of 10 freshly built stadiums in the past three years. While some stadiums focus on sustainability, others try to create unique user experiences.
Hangzhou Sports Park / NBBJ + CCDI
HANGZHOU, CHINA
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/4317/b357/65f8/f900/0902/newsletter/640-1.jpg?1588937488)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/428d/b357/65f8/f900/08fc/newsletter/640.jpg?1588937349)
Japan National Stadium / Kengo Kuma And Associates
TOKYO, JAPAN
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/4467/b357/6579/8b00/043a/newsletter/179992.jpg?1588937824)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/44e1/b357/6579/8b00/043e/newsletter/180012.jpg?1588937947)
Al Janoub Stadium / Zaha Hadid Architects
AL WAKRAH, QATAR
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/4350/b357/65f8/f900/0903/newsletter/02_ZHA_Al_Wakrah_Stadium_Qatar_%C2%A9Hufton_Crow.jpg?1588937511)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/4399/b357/65f8/f900/0904/newsletter/06_ZHA_Al_Wakrah_Stadium_Qatar_%C2%A9Hufton_Crow.jpg?1588937569)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/44a6/b357/65f8/f900/090c/newsletter/21_ZHA_Al_Wakrah_Stadium_Qatar_%C2%A9Hufton_Crow.jpg?1588937864)
Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium / FGP Atelier + Taller ADG
IZTACALCO, MEXICO
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/43ac/b357/65f8/f900/0905/newsletter/FGP_ATELIER_-_DIABLOS_-_22.jpg?1588937631)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/43cc/b357/65f8/f900/0906/newsletter/feature_-_FGP_ATELIER_-_DIABLOS_-_18.jpg?1588937650)
Simonne-Mathieu Tennis Court at Roland Garros / Marc Mimram
PARIS, FRANCE
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/425c/b357/6579/8b00/042e/newsletter/2-5_copy.jpg?1588937301)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/4244/b357/65f8/f900/08fa/newsletter/C20-18_copy.jpg?1588937275)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/4235/b357/65f8/f900/08f9/medium_jpg/L1006105.jpg?1588937230)
Luzhniki Stadium / SPEECH
MOSCOW, RUSSIA
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/42ed/b357/6579/8b00/0432/newsletter/WX20200420-230652_2x.jpg?1588937443)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/42d3/b357/65f8/f900/08ff/newsletter/DSC_8163_by_Ilya_Ivanov.jpg?1588937419)
Wuyuanhe Stadium / gmp Architects
HAIKOU, CHINA
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/4440/b357/6579/8b00/0438/newsletter/wuyuanhe-stadium-gerkan-marg-partners-gmp-hainan-china-_dezeen_2364_hero-b_(1).jpg?1588937782)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/4209/b357/6579/8b00/042d/newsletter/wuyuanhe-stadium-gerkan-marg-partners-gmp-hainan-china-_dezeen_2364_col_3.jpg?1588937215)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/41f9/b357/6579/8b00/042c/newsletter/wuyuanhe-stadium-gerkan-marg-partners-gmp-hainan-china-_dezeen_2364_col_1.jpg?1588937199)
Bamboo Sports Hall for Panyaden International School / Chiangmai Life Construction
CHIANGMAI, THAILAND
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/42fb/b357/65f8/f900/0900/newsletter/BambooSportsHall-Hero6-1704x959.jpg?1588937458)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/430a/b357/65f8/f900/0901/newsletter/BambooSportsHall-Hero11-1704x959.jpg?1588937473)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium / HOK
ATLANTA, USA
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/44f1/b357/65f8/f900/090e/newsletter/mercedes-benz-stadium-hok-architecture-atlanta-georgia-usa_dezeen_2364_col_5.jpg?1588937957)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/44c6/b357/65f8/f900/090d/newsletter/mercedes-benz-stadium-hok-architecture-atlanta-georgia-usa_dezeen_2364_col_3.jpg?1588937915)
Rwanda Cricket Stadium / Light Earth Designs
KIGALI, RWANDA
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/43fa/b357/6579/8b00/0436/newsletter/YorkshireTea_RwandaCricket_25.10.17_-_Team_Yorkshire_Tea_playing_at_the_Rwandan_Cricket_Stadium_-_credit_Jonathan_Gregson.jpg?1588937710)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5eb5/4432/b357/65f8/f900/0909/newsletter/28.Light_Earth_Designs_Rwanda_Cricket_Stadium_13.jpg?1588937762)