Completed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Stadium handed over to Japan Sport Council

The new National Stadium in Tokyo, the main venue for next year's Olympic and Paralympic Games, has been handed over to its owner and operator, the Japan Sport Council.

Construction of the 60,000 capacity was completed last month before an official handover to the Japan Sport Council (JSC) at the weekend following a final inspection.

Built at a final cost of 157 billion yen (US$1.4 billion), the handover eight months before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is a landmark moment for Games organisers.

With an official ceremony to mark the opening of the venue scheduled for 21st December with the final of the Emperor’s Cup football competition on New Year’s Day set to be the first sporting event to take place at the venue.

Commenting on the milestone, Tokyo 2020 Chief Executive, Toshiro Muto stated “we are very pleased that construction of the stadium - a key symbol of the Tokyo 2020 Games - has now been completed; it makes us realise just how close we are getting to the start of the Games.

“We are so looking forward to seeing athletes from all over the world marching into the new stadium at the Opening Ceremony… when the eyes of the world will be on this iconic symbol of the Tokyo 2020 Games.”

The Stadium, which will host the athletics and football competitions during Tokyo 2020, will undergo a number of renovations after the Games to host future sport and entertainment events.