New Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium Redevelopment Project – Regenerating the Spiritual Home of Japanese Rugby

Japan’s most famous rugby stadium, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, more affectionately known as Prince Chichibu Stadium, broke ground on its regeneration construction as part of the Jingu Gaien District Urban Redevelopment Project earlier in 2026 to develop the New Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium by 2030.

Mitsui Fudosan, Japan’s largest property developer, spoke with Rugby Asia 247 about the big plans for the project and how the purpose-built indoor rugby stadium will still hold on to the traditions and legacy of the space with a nod to the future of the fan experience.

Why is the Project Happening?

Prince Chichibu Stadium was constructed in 1947, and it has hosted numerous All-Japan Rugby Football Championship finals over the last 60 years, including the inaugural event in 1963, Brave Blossoms and touring sides from across the globe, and hosted the Japan leg of the international Rugby Sevens Series from 2012 to 2015. It served as home to the Tokyo Sunwolves until they were axed from Super Rugby in 2019 and still hosts Japan Rugby League One fixtures. The JRFU is also headquartered at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.

The Japanese rugby association said, “This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Japan Rugby Football Union, and our mission is to make Japan a country where rugby is close to everyone. We are committed to broadening rugby’s reach, raising the level of competition, fostering a society where rugby is accessible, and ensuring the sport contributes positively to society. 

We hope the new Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, which will carry forward the legacy of this sacred rugby ground, becomes a place where many can experience the excitement, inspiration, and new connections that rugby brings. Our association will continue working to further promote and develop the sport across Japan.”

Mitsui Fudosan has clear insights into the project’s vision and timeline for Japan’s sports infrastructure, which encompasses multiple sporting venues and began on 3 February 2026. The new stadium will be built on the site where the Meiji Jingu Stadium currently stands.

The development seeks to create a new urban sports hub in the complex where Chichibunomiya resides. 

The construction members include Mitsui Fudosan, Tokyo Dome Corporation, Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd and MHS Planners, as well as several news conglomerates, such as the Yomiuri Shimbun and Nippon Television Network. The stadium’s naming rights sponsor will be the banking group SMBC, and its commercial name will be “SMBC Olive SQUARE”, but the venue will also be known as the “New Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.”

Image provided by: Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Co., Ltd

Of the company’s direct responsibility as part of this project and why they bid for the project, a Mitsui Fudosan representative explained, “As one of Japan’s largest real estate development firms, this was an extremely attractive project from a purely commercial side, with hotels and the commercial real estate office spaces being really attractive. But then there’s this opportunity to be part of a much bigger neighbourhood creation story that encompasses the stadiums. 

It covers the whole space, and that was really interesting. We have experience in these neighbourhood creations in other parts of Tokyo as well, finding a nice way to mix all of these different kinds of target audiences and businesses.”

There are several companies involved in the project, and in essence, Mitsui Fudosan will act as a sort of project manager, overseeing and managing the whole project. 

They have also been working with the Japan Rugby Football Union on the design of Japan’s iconic spiritual home of rugby. “From the very beginning, we’ve been working really closely with the association. We have been running a lot of our proposals through them, and even the discussion about making it a covered all-season venue was based on consultation with the JRFU.”

A video outlining the project suggests the redevelopment will offer “a place where people can rest and relax surrounded by greenery and share in the excitement of sports.” The Jingu Gaien project will aim to connect future generations with history and scenery. The neighbourhood creation project is focused on increasing greenery as well as rebuilding and renewing ageing sports facilities and other amenities. 

The current stadium is an ageing structure, and the old design of narrow spaces inside and outside the stadium also creates issues for fans visiting and leaving the site on matchdays.

As there is not enough land on the current site to renew or rebuild the stadium and modernise its functions to last another century, a complete rebuild of the rugby stadium has begun. 

Meiji Jingu is one of the most important Shinto shrines in Japan and is located in the area. The rugby stadium is managed by the Japan Sport Council, and the income from the sports facilities on its grounds supports the ongoing maintenance of the area – these include the baseball and rugby stadiums.

Funding from the private sector, in return for investment in high-rise buildings, also forms part of the development project, and the revenue from the upgraded facilities will be used to fund the continued protection of the expanded open nature-based spaces.

In addition, due to the threat of earthquakes in Japan, the plans will enhance the area’s function as a wide area evacuation site. 

You can see more of the project plans here. It should be noted that the project is still in the planning stage and is subject to change.

What will the New Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium Feature?

Prince Chichibu Memorial rugby stadium was completed 77 years ago, and the rebuild will be completed in phases in a way to minimise the amount of time that facilities are unavailable for sports events.

The modernised and upgraded facilities development has not received any subsidies or grants from the National Government or Tokyo Metropolitan Government, so the cost of developing the greenery, open spaces and sports facilities will be covered entirely by the developers. 

A Mitsui Fudosan representative said that when the planning for the redesign was ongoing, they visited several stadiums in overseas markets, such as in the US, paying special attention to the fan areas and fan experiences. The final designs were inspired by those stadium visits and kept in mind international and local fan considerations.

“Beyond just the stadium, the different ways that fans can enjoy and be part of the experience are going to be so much more expanded. You see those new green spaces that we are building, and the huge walkway that is being constructed, which is going to pass through the hotel above the baseball stadium, so you’ll be able to see and experience the game in a completely different way, not just seated at the stadium with the different screens. There is more of a community hub focus.”

Image provided by: Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Co., Ltd

Prince Chichibu Memorial rugby stadium will also be an all-weather facility, and the designs of the new stadium provide a safer approach that is more accessible to the facility for both vehicles and pedestrians. The facility will be able to host a variety of sports, cultural events and other activities to create more year-long revenue streams.

• This will be Japan’s first indoor, all-weather rugby stadium.
• The mixed-use site will have retail facilities and a pedestrian deck, as well as an attached hotel
• The concourse and other areas will be expanded, and the spectator environment will be made more comfortable with a focus on fan zone areas.
• The field will be artificial grass, and the stadium will have a 40% reduction in seat capacity.
• “Rugby Towers” offer seats in the field corners for an immersive match experience, and “Field Bars” with spectator seating at field level.
• The project targets LEED Gold and ZEB Ready certifications, aiming to deliver best-in-class sustainability performance globally.

Even the symbol concept design of the stadium logo draws inspiration from the curves of the new stadium’s entrance, while the rows of pillars evoke the image of rugby players locked together in a scrum. The five spaces between them symbolise both a rugby ball and gateways to a world of dreams. 

Each space of the logo embodies one of rugby’s five core values: integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline, and respect. The stadium declares “WHERE DREAMS PLAY”

Image provided by: Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Co., Ltd

Mr. Tatsu Nakajima, Director, President & Group CEO, SMBC Group, said via a press release, “The core values of the Rugby Charter closely align with our own ‘Five Values,’ which unite all our officers and employees. We believe the spirit of rugby is just as vital in business as it is on the field. As the top partner to the new Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, SMBC Group will honour its traditions while helping create an exciting and inspiring space—one where visitors can enjoy unforgettable experiences and where new challenges and dreams can begin.” 

The multisports and entertainment area will need to appeal to both Japanese and international fans.

Mitsui Fudosan explained, “Yes, we had that in mind from the start in our proposals. We are working with Populous (a global architectural design firm specialising in stadiums, arenas, and event venues, with a significant presence in Japan) as advisors. We have also worked with designers who’ve worked on projects all over the world. There are still a lot of operational details that need to be ironed out, and we will engage with specialists who have experience with international events.

It is going to be a diverse community. We will have inbound and local tours as well, and it was really important to make sure that the technology was up to spec to meet new demands.”

They pointed out some of the specifics for fans who will be attending rugby matches at the new, upgraded stadium in the future. 

“The fans will be seated very close to the action on the field, and there are added features like lounges to host fans in, and everyone in attendance can see the very large screen planned in-stadium (spectator stands will be located on three sides of the stadium, while a large-format 50-meter by 12-meter screen will be placed on the remaining side).

It all helps create an immersive experience for the audience. This is the only dedicated rugby stadium in Japan, but it can also host concerts, exhibitions, and trade shows as a multi-purpose venue.”

New Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Redevelopment Project

On the potential pushback and rugby fans’ reluctance to the change of the venue, they explained, “People will always feel a sense of loss or sadness about change, I think that is with any development or any building. We want to keep the key essence and the best points of the current stadium, and offer a renewed, refreshed stadium. We mentioned the intimacy for the fans being on top of the action and how close you are to the game. 

The stadium will have a smaller capacity to ensure it is a fan-first approach (thought to be 15,000 for rugby matches), and as an indoor venue, it means it is all-weather, which is better for the fans.

It is going to be different, and we hope that people can rediscover a love for the space and enjoy a new way of experiencing a historically loved stadium. We will also have a rugby museum to showcase Japan’s rugby history, and there will be a captain’s rugby statue outside the venue.”

The current Prince Chichibu will only be torn down once the new stadium is completed, to have as little impact on the rugby matches and sports events as possible. The development is due to be completed in 2030, while the entire development of the area will be ongoing beyond that timeline.

The entire area will unlock new commercial potential to make the area economically sustainable and bring economic revitalisation.

Image provided by: Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Co., Ltd

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