IG Arena, a new multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility in the Japanese city of Nagoya, has opened to the public with the hosting of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
Held last Sunday, the first event at the 17,000-capacity arena features a five-story hybrid-oval design, enabling it to easily host multiple sport, music, family and special events.
Developed by AEG, the 17,000-capacity arena is one of several major sports and entertainment projects under development by AEG in Asia, including in other venues in the Japanese city of Osaka and the Thai capital of Bangkok.
As one of the biggest sports and entertainment facilities in Japan, IG Arena will also the new home of the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins basketball team and will be the main indoor venue for next year’s Asian Games and Para Games.
Commenting on the opening, Hiroshi Hisato, President and Chief Executive of IG Arena operator Aichi international Arena Co, stated “everyone, sorry to have kept you waiting. Perhaps we have kept you waiting too long.
“Finally, the IG Arena is opening. The opening performance will be the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. We welcome a new Yokozuna who aims to be one of a kind, and we believe that the famous matches with Yokozuna lined up on both the east and west sides will make Nagoya’s hot summer even hotter.”
While IG Arena hosted its first public event back in May as Hans Zimmer staged a concert at the facility, Sunday marked the official grand opening.
Images: The new IG Arena. Credit: AEG Global Partnerships.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring for a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
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