Saitama Super Arena

Infobox Arena
arena_name=Saitama Super Arena
nickname=


caption=
location=Saitama Shintoshin, Chūō-ku, Saitama, Saitama, Japan
coordinates= Coord|35|53|41.60|N|139|37|51.00|E|region:JP_type:landmark_scale:2000|display=inline,title
opened=September 1, 2001
closed=
renovated=
expanded=
demolished=
owner=Saitama Arena Corp.
operator=
construction_cost=
architect=
former_names=
tenants=
seating_capacity=5,000 - 37,000Nihongo|Saitama Super Arena|さいたまスーパーアリーナ|Saitama Sūpā Arīna is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Chūō-ku, Saitama City, Saitama, Japan. Its spectator capacity is 37,000 at maximum settings.This main arena capacity is between 19,000-22,500 when events such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, ice hockey, gymnastics, boxing, mixed martial arts and professional wrestling take place there.It is also the only Japanese arena equipped especially for American football. The arena features a gigantic moveable section of seating which can reduce capacity for smaller events and create a more intimate setting.

Its permanent attractions include the John Lennon Museum which displays John Lennon memorabilia.

It is one of two home arenas to Japan Professional Basketball League team the Saitama Broncos.

It is a favorite venue for puroresu (Japanese professional wrestling) and mixed martial arts (MMA).

Access

* Immediate to JR East Keihin-Tōhoku|Utsunomiya|Takasaki Line Saitama-Shintoshin Station
* 7 minutes' walk from JR East Saikyō Line Kita-Yono Station

History [ as of 2007-07-04T07:48:17]

* Nikken Sekkei won the international design competition.
* 2000: May 5 preliminary open. September 1 official open.

Event Hosting

In 2000, it hosted an NHL ice hockey game between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In 2003, NBA basketball teams, the Seattle Supersonics and the Los Angeles Clippers, played two games there.

On May 5th, 2003 the Saitama Super Arena hosted Kei Yasuda's Graduation from Morning Musume.

On February 7, 2005 the Saitama Super Arena hosted WWE Monday Night RAW for United States cable television network Spike TV. The main event of the RAW hour was Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels and the main event of the RAWZone hour featured Triple H against Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship

On October 26 and 27, 2005, Queen + Paul Rodgers performed at the arena and released concert DVD here "Super Live in Japan".

In 2006 the Saitama Super Arena hosted the Final Round of the Basketball World Championship 2006. It also hosted a concert by J-rock band Janne Da Arc on 20th of May which name is "Dead or Alive". Also 3 concerts by rock band U2, on November 29, 30, and December 4. As well as 2 sold-out concerts by singer Mariah Carey, on October 20, and October 21. During this year Hikaru Utada's Utada United 2006 live was also held and recorded for home viewing here.

On December 31, 2007 the Arena hosted Yarennoka, an MMA promotion organized by the former staff members of Pride FC.

References

External links

* [http://www.saitama-arena.co.jp/e/index.html Saitama Super Arena (in English by Saitama Arena Co.,Ltd.)]
** [http://www.taisei.co.jp/museum/index_e.html John Lennon Museum (in English by JLM, Co., Ltd.)]
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