Saitama Super Arena

Saitama Super Arena

Location	8 Shintoshin, Chūō-ku, Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Public transit	JR East: Saitama-Shintoshin ■ Takasaki Line ■ Utsunomiya Line ■ Keihin-Tōhoku Line Kita-Yono ■ Saikyō Line
Owner	Saitama Arena Corp.
Capacity	36,500 (maximum capacity) 27,000 (stadium setting) 22,500 (arena setting)[3]
Construction
Opened	September 1, 2000; 23 years ago (2000-09-01)
Construction cost	YEN ¥ 20 billion USD $ 195 million EUR € 142 million
Architect	Dan Meis[1] Ellerbe Becket[2]

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, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It opened preliminarily on May 5, 2000, and then was officially opened on September 1 of the same year. Its maximum capacity is 36,500,^[4] making it the third-largest indoor arena in the world. The main arena capacity is between 19,000 and 22,500.

The arena was designed by Dan Meis, who at the time was working for architecture firm Ellerbe Becket,^[5] together with Nikken Sekkei. Meis's design was selected as a result of an international design competition.^[6] The arena features a gigantic movable section of seating which can reduce capacity for smaller events and create a more intimate setting.

It is a favorite venue for puroresu (Japanese professional wrestling) and mixed martial arts (MMA). It has also hosted other sports events such as boxing, basketball, volleyball, tennis, ice hockey, and gymnastics. It is the only Japanese arena equipped especially for American football.

It formerly housed the John Lennon Museum, which displayed John Lennon memorabilia and closed in 2010.