National Stadium (Main Venue of the World Games) Introduction
The National Stadium was completed on January 21, 2009, and served as the main venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2009 World Games, as well as a competition site. It has a capacity of 40,000 spectators (which can be expanded by an additional 15,000 seats) and functions as both an athletics stadium and a football field. It is also Taiwan's first standard stadium that meets the requirements set by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for international sports events. In addition to the facilities for hosting international sporting events, it features an outdoor performance plaza, commercial spaces, an ecological green network, and public art spaces. The main venue for the World Games was designed by renowned architect Toyo Ito, who broke away from traditional stadium design concepts to create the world's first open-type sports venue. Its spiral-shaped external structure and solar panel roof combine to produce a beautiful blend of art and motion. The stadium's construction utilizes 100% recyclable materials, with all raw materials sourced from Taiwan. The roof is made of 8,844 compressed glass solar panels, achieving a 70% shading effect, generating 1.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 660 tons. This not only provides electricity during events but also allows excess power to be sold outside of events, achieving zero accidents during construction and setting a new benchmark for energy-efficient stadium designs. To help the public understand the sports facilities, architectural design, ecological environment, and public artworks at the National Stadium, guided tours and explanations have been planned. Domestic and international visitors are welcome to visit, and appointments can be made by phone or fax to arrange for reception and guided tours.
