Saitama Super Arena (さいたまスーパーアリーナ, Saitama Sūpā Arīna) is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Chūō-ku, Saitama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It opened preliminarily on May 5, 2000, and then was officially opened on September 1 of the same year. Its maximum capacity is 36,500.[4] The main arena capacity is between 19,000 and 22,500.
The arena was designed by Dan Meis, who at the time was working for architecture firm Ellerbe Becket,[5] together with Nikken Sekkei. Meis's design was selected as a result of an international design competition.[6] The arena features a gigantic movable section of seating which can reduce capacity for smaller events and create a more intimate setting.
Beginning with its inaugural event, which took place on December 29 & 31, 2015, Rizin Fighting Federation has held events in the arena on New Year's Day every year.[7]
Other events
The Saitama Super Arena hosted special tapings of WWERaw, SmackDown, Heat, and Velocity that took place on February 4 and February 5, 2005, and was later broadcast on February 7 and February 10, 2005.[citation needed] The event is famously remembered for the "Kimono Match" that took place between Torrie Wilson and Hiroko Suzuki (a Japanese native who would later be elected to the Funabashi city council as part of a political career).[citation needed] Hiroko was defeated after losing her kimono, being stripped down to her bra and panties at the hands of Torrie.
On November 29, 2009, the arena hosted one of the biggest fights in Japan's history, with WBC Flyweight Champion Daisuke Naito defending his title against Koki Kameda.[citation needed]
^Kidani, Takaaki (November 6, 2018). "ブシロード 木谷高明が語る、『バンドリ!』プロジェクトの軌跡と未来 「何十年も続く作品にしたい」" [Bushiroad's Takaaki Kitani talks about BanG Dream!'s project trajectory and future: "I want to make a work that will last for decades"] (Interview) (in Japanese). Interviewed by Kenji Sunaga. Real Sound. Retrieved March 14, 2020.