Sendai Stadium

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Yurtec Stadium Sendai
nick_name =


location = flagicon|Japan Sendai, Japan
coordinates = coord|38|19|9|N|140|52|55|E|type:landmark
broke_ground =
opened = June, 1997
renovated =
expanded =
closed =
demolished =
owner = Sendai City
operator = Sendai City Park Association
surface = Grass
Constructor =
construction_cost =
architect =
former_names = Sendai Stadium
nicknames =
tenants = Vegalta Sendai (J. League)
Sony Sendai F.C. (JFL)
seating_capacity = 19,694
dimensions = 139 x 79 m

Sendai Stadium (仙台スタジアム) is a football stadium in the Nanakita Park, Izumi-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. It was built in 1997 and is home to the J. League club Vegalta Sendai and the Japan Football League club Sony Sendai F.C..

The stadium was specifically designed for football, and the stands are arranged close to the pitch. For games where the spectator capacity is insufficient, nearby Miyagi Stadium is occasionally used as a substitute.

The naming rights for the stadium were sold beginning on March 1, 2006 until February 282009. In that period, the stadium is officially known as Nihongo|"Yurtec STADIUM SENDAI"|ユアテックスタジアム仙台|Yuatekku Sutajiamu Sendai.

In 2009, the turf will be replaced, and Vegalta will play the first half of the season elsewhere. [cite web|url=http://www.kahoku.co.jp/spe/spe106/news_spe/news20080408_001.htm|title=仙台―広島戦宮スタが会場|publisher=河北新報|date=2008-04-08|language=Japanese|accessdate=2008-04-08]

International Matches

occer

Italy used the stadium as their base for training camp during the 2002 World Cup, and cast images of the team members footprints are on display outside the stadium.

The Sendai Cup (An international youth football tournament) has been held annually since 2003. Italy, France Brazil, and Croatia have participated, along with the hosts, Japan.

Exhibition matches between Vegalta Sendai and A.C. ChievoVerona and S.S. Lazio have been played at Sendai Stadium as well. The match with Chievo in 2003 was the final club game for Oliver Bierhoff [cite web|url=http://www.soccerway.com/news/2003/june/4/japan-stars-tune-up-for-internationals/?print=yes|title=Japan stars tune up for internationals|publisher=Soccerway|date=2004-06-03|accessdate=2008-04-08] .

Rugby

On June 16, 2007 the stadium was the venue for Japan vs. Samoa in the 2007 IRB Pacific Nations Cup. It was the first time an international rugby game had been played in the Tōhoku region.

On June 15, 2008 Japan defeated Tonga 35-13 at the stadium in the 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup.

External links

* [http://www.wldcup.com/Asia/stadia/sendai.html Pictures of Sendai Stadium] (Much information on this site is out of date)
* [http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/asia/japan/tohoku/sendai_stadium.shtml WorldStadiums.com entry]

References