Seaside stadium debuts in Guangzhou with unrivalled ocean views

A newly opened sports complex in Guangzhou features a design that seamlessly blends elite athletics with breathtaking panoramic views of the sea. The Greater Bay Area Culture and Sports Center hosted its inaugural event—a regional basketball playoff—on August 10, providing spectators with a unique experience of watching live sports against the backdrop of the Lingding Ocean.

Where Sport Meets Sea

The centerpiece is a 60,000-seat stadium featuring a 150-meter-wide opening facing the water, framing views of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge and the Pearl River Delta. Dubbed the "Window to the Sea," this design allows natural light to flood the arena while creating a visual connection between events and the surrounding seascape.

Three venues form a C-shaped layout, symbolizing "a fan welcoming the world"—a nod to traditional Chinese aesthetics. The stadium's sweeping canopy, inspired by folding fans, combines granite and low-reflectivity aluminum to minimize glare for migratory birds, addressing ecological concerns in the coastal wetlands.

Smart, Multi-Purpose Venues

A 20,000-capacity indoor arena supports rapid conversion between basketball, ice hockey, and concert setups, with retractable seating and advanced 5G systems for real-time updates via VR and facial recognition.

The aquatics center houses four pools, including an Olympic-standard diving platform. Organizers claim 50% of its seats offer "prime sightlines" in the lower tiers, enhancing the spectator experience.

Both venues prioritize post-event public access, with plans for fitness programs and commercial zones to sustain year-round community use.

Strict height controls (capped at 63.8 meters) avoid disrupting bird flight paths. External lighting will be dimmed during non-operational hours to reduce pollution, while wetland landscaping provides habitats for local wildlife—a response to regional conservation priorities.

August Showcases and Beyond