Beijing National Stadium

Last Modified Nov 19, 2021 11:38 GMT

The Beijing National Stadium, officially known as the National Stadium is a stadium located in Beijing, China. It was built specifically to host the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Designed as a nest of a bird, the stadium is also known as Bird’s Nest.

The design was originated from the study of Chinese ceramics and it implemented steel beams in order to hide supports for the retractable roof, giving the stadium the appearance of a bird’s nest.

Beijing National Stadium Capacity

The stadium was originally designed to accommodate about 100,000 people. However, the capacity was reduced by 9000 to simplify the design. The capacity of the stadium was further brought down to 80,000 when 11,000 temporary seats were shaved off from the total of 91,000.

Beijing National Stadium

History

The construction of the stadium started in 2003, and took about four years to complete. It completed in the year 2007, and the inauguration of the stadium took place in 2008.

The cost to build the stadium was $428 million and is considered as one of the best stadiums in the world.

Major Matches

The opening ceremony and the closing ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics was hosted in the Beijing National Stadium on 8th and 24th August respectively. It also hosted athletic events and football final of the quadrennial event.

After the Olympics, the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Paralympics was also hosted in this stadium on 6th September and it also hosted athletic events followed by the closing ceremony on 17th September.

In 2009, this stadium hosted the Supercoppa Italiana or the Italian Super Cup final. In August 2011 and in 2012, the Bird's Nest once again hosted the Supercoppa Italiana.

Arsenal and Manchester City played each other in the inaugural China Cup on 27 July 2012.

Beijing National Stadium also hosted the matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the China PR national football team.

Other Sports Events

The stadium is scheduled to host the opening and the closing ceremonies of the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Beijing National Stadium would be the only stadium to host the opening ceremonies of the Paralympics and the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Related Stories

Barcelona star rejected chance to join Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and one other SPL club despite €100 million offer: Reports Barcelona star rejected chance to join Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and one other SPL club despite €100 million offer: Reports
Barcelona star rejected chance to join Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and one other SPL club despite €100 million offer: Reports
Bermuda vs Jamaica Prediction and Betting Tips | September 5th 2025 Bermuda vs Jamaica Prediction and Betting Tips | September 5th 2025
Bermuda vs Jamaica Prediction and Betting Tips | September 5th 2025
Dan Burn reveals Newcastle squad's reaction to Alexander Isak's summer move to Liverpool amid animosity from club's supporters Dan Burn reveals Newcastle squad's reaction to Alexander Isak's summer move to Liverpool amid animosity from club's supporters
Dan Burn reveals Newcastle squad's reaction to Alexander Isak's summer move to Liverpool amid animosity from club's supporters
1d
Republic of Ireland vs Hungary Prediction and Betting Tips | September 6th 2025 Republic of Ireland vs Hungary Prediction and Betting Tips | September 6th 2025
Republic of Ireland vs Hungary Prediction and Betting Tips | September 6th 2025
1d
St. Louis City vs FC Dallas Prediction and Betting Tips | September 6th 2025 St. Louis City vs FC Dallas Prediction and Betting Tips | September 6th 2025
St. Louis City vs FC Dallas Prediction and Betting Tips | September 6th 2025
22h
USA vs South Korea Prediction and Betting Tips | September 6th 2025 USA vs South Korea Prediction and Betting Tips | September 6th 2025
USA vs South Korea Prediction and Betting Tips | September 6th 2025
1d
Chelsea ace Cole Palmer drops 3-word comment as Kobbie Mainoo captions training image as ‘nothing pretty’ amid Manchester United struggles Chelsea ace Cole Palmer drops 3-word comment as Kobbie Mainoo captions training image as ‘nothing pretty’ amid Manchester United struggles
Chelsea ace Cole Palmer drops 3-word comment as Kobbie Mainoo captions training image as ‘nothing pretty’ amid Manchester United struggles
19h
Mozambique vs Botswana Prediction and Betting Tips | September 8th 2025 Mozambique vs Botswana Prediction and Betting Tips | September 8th 2025
Mozambique vs Botswana Prediction and Betting Tips | September 8th 2025
11h
Luxembourg vs Slovakia Prediction and Betting Tips | September 7th 2025 Luxembourg vs Slovakia Prediction and Betting Tips | September 7th 2025
Luxembourg vs Slovakia Prediction and Betting Tips | September 7th 2025
10h
"I speak for everyone", "I don't hate him anymore" - Cristiano Ronaldo fans make feelings clear when asked if Joao Felix won them back after 5-0 win "I speak for everyone", "I don't hate him anymore" - Cristiano Ronaldo fans make feelings clear when asked if Joao Felix won them back after 5-0 win
"I speak for everyone", "I don't hate him anymore" - Cristiano Ronaldo fans make feelings clear when asked if Joao Felix won them back after 5-0 win
9h
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
bell-icon Manage notifications