Saitama Super Arena

The ground is not a standard outdoor pitch but a vast indoor hall defined by its mechanical heart. The Saitama Super Arena, now known as the GMO Arena, is built around a 15,000-ton 'Moving Block' system that slides to reconfigure the space for different events. This engineering gives the venue a flexibility that few other grounds possess, shifting from a stadium mode for large crowds to a tighter arena layout for basketball or concerts.

Built by the Saitama Prefecture and designed by Meis Architects, the structure opened in 2000 and carries the weight of international sport. It hosted the basketball tournaments at the 2020 Summer Olympics and the knockout stage of the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Championship. The surface remains artificial throughout, using a Fast Break System 2 Wood flooring for basketball and turf for other uses.

The arena serves as a home for the Saitama Broncos in the B3 League and has become a regular stop for NBA preseason games. Its significance extends beyond football; it has hosted major MMA events, including fights for the UFC and World Figure Skating Championships. While the capacity varies based on the seating configuration, the structure itself remains a dominant feature of the Chūō-ku district.

Recent renovations have altered the interior, with a major project beginning in January 2026 that closed the venue until April 2027. Before that, work started in December 2015.