Gallery: Beijing Rebuilds Landmark Stadium

Jul. 2, 2021

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A rendering of the exterior of the new Beijing Workers’ Stadium, which is expected to be finished by the end of 2022. Photo: Courtesy of Sinobo Group

A view of the Beijing Workers’ Stadium before the beginning of the revamp. Photo: Courtesy of Sinobo Group

The stadium complex was finished on August 31, 1959 on 350,000 square meters of land, and included a central venue, an artificial lake, a diving pool, three swimming pools, and over 10 playgrounds.

The stadium was built on a reed pit, which required over 500,000 cubic meters of soil to fill.

Workers work at the construction site of the stadium in 1959.

People attend an event in the stadium in Beijing in the 1950s. The venue could accommodate 80,000 people.

People use the outdoor swimming pool in Beijing in the 1950s.

Cars are parked outside the main venue of the stadium in the 1950s.

A statue is on display in front of the northern gate of the stadium in the 1950s.

A group of participants walk with flags during a rehearsal for the Asian Games opening ceremony in the Beijing Workers’ Stadium in 1990. The stadium has been one of the main venues for hosting big events in Beijing since 1959. Photo: VCG

People celebrate the return of Hong Kong in the stadium on July 1, 1997.

Lionel Messi from Argentina challenges Brazilian players during the semifinal soccer match of the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the stadium. Photo: IC Photo

Fans watch a Beijing Guoan soccer match at the stadium in 2018. The stadium became the team’s home ground in 1997. Photo: IC Photo

Beijing Guoan fans cheer for their team from the stands of the stadium during the final of the Chinese FA Cup in 2018. Photo: Courtesy of Sinobo Group

The main venue of the stadium is being demolished in August 2020 in Beijing. Photo: VCG

Workers install scaffoldings at the construction site of the stadium on April 25. The construction will need 100,000 tons of steel. Photo: Zhen Hongge