The $2bn bicycle helmet: Olympic stadium ‘will be the most expensive built so far’

When the dust settles on the marquee venue for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, it could well be the most expensive sports stadium in the world. The latest cost estimate of 252 billion yen ($2bn) would push it beyond the record-holder, the $1.6bn MetLife stadium in New York. What is the money buying? The design of the stadium’s ribbed roof on huge steel arches resembles a bicycle helmet. To support a natural grass field, the roof’s southern end will be translucent to let in sunlight and underground will be soil ventilation and temperature control systems. Movable seats will bring the crowd closer for more intimate events and, this being Japan, the stadium will be earthquake-resistant.

The spiraling costs come as no surprise. Most of the recent Olympics Games and World Cups have seen final costs come in far above initial estimates.

Prof Victor Matheson, College of the Holy Cross, Massachusetts

At least five stadiums costing more than $1 billion have been built worldwide, four for American football and baseball teams and Wembley Stadium for soccer in London. Tokyo’s new stadium, designed by award-winning architect Zaha Hadid, would be the first to reach $2 billion. Its cost far exceeds the $455m Bird’s Nest stadium built for the 2008 Olympics and the $680m stadium for the 2012 London Olympics. The rising price tag has put the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the defensive, at a time when his approval ratings are already slipping.

The stadium will be delivered cost-effectively and on schedule against the backdrop of steep annual inflation in Tokyo construction costs.

Jim Heverin, project director for the stadium for Zaha Hadid Architects

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