Project description

This 251,196sqm football stadium, located in the Central Business District of Fengdong New City, provides seating for around 60,000 spectators and was designed to host major national and international sporting events. A key structural challenge was creating the large-span roof over the seating bowl, while maintaining an efficient and lightweight structural system. The solution combines an orthogonal cable net, with a spoke-type single-layer cable net to form an innovative long-span roof structure.

Judge’s comments

A highly accomplished roof design. The world-first orthogonal cable-net system with a large central opening combines radial and orthogonal elements to create an efficient long-span structure that integrates drainage, geometry and force flow within a single solution. Extensive testing, digital form-finding and advanced construction techniques underpinned its delivery. The result is an elegant and technically sophisticated roof that pushes the boundaries of stadium engineering, while providing a benchmark for future large-span sports venues. 

Structural Designer

  • Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design & Research Co., Ltd, schlaich bergermann partner (sbp)

Client Name

  • Xi'an International Football Center Operations Management Co., Ltd

Location

  • Xi'an, China

Architect

  • Zaha Hadid Architects

Principal Contractor

  • Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd

Key Contractors

  • Cable clamp anti-slip testing: Southeast University

    Cable clamp ultimate load capacity testing: Tongji University

    Cable net construction analysis: Nanjing Southeast Modern Prestressing Engineering Co., Ltd

    Membrane structure construction analysis: Beijing University of Technology

    Steel structure construction: Shaanxi Construction Machinery Construction Group Co., Ltd

    Structural design: Arcplus Institute of Shanghai Architectural Design & Research Co., Ltd, schlaich bergermann partner (sbp)

    Wind tunnel testing: Chongqing University

Year Submitted

  • 2026

Submitted By

  • Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design & Research Co., Ltd

Key attributes

  • Process