Greater Bay Area Sports Centre Launches with Four Sold Out Concerts, Marking a New Cultural and Sporting Era for Southern China

The Greater Bay Area Sports Centre will officially open with four sold out concerts starting December 5. This marks the emergence of a major new destination for international events in Southern Greater Bay Area Nansha in China.

Serving the World’s Largest Urban Region

The centre sits at the heart of the Greater Bay Area, encompassing Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macau. This region is among the world’s most influential metropolitan areas, with a population projected to exceed 100 million by 2030.

Located in Guangzhou’s Nansha District on the Pearl River’s western bank, the development anchors the civic core of a rapidly growing urban quarter. It is designed to strengthen regional connectivity and urban cohesion.

Seamless Access and World Class Facilities

The centre is designed for both community activities and major international events. Residents across the Greater Bay Area can access it directly via Line 18 of the Guangzhou Metro and the new Shenzhen Zhongshan Bridge.

A 70-Hectare Waterfront Park for Sport, Leisure, and Climate Resilience

Set in a 70 hectare waterfront park, the complex offers ample outdoor spaces for recreation. The park also supports district wide flood protection, using wetlands to manage excess water during extreme sea level changes in Guangdong’s subtropical monsoon climate.

The sports complex itself comprises:

• a 60,000 seat stadium,
• a 20,000 seat indoor arena for basketball and large scale events,
• and a 4,000 seat aquatic centre with a 50 metre pool and diving facilities.

Architecture Rooted in Maritime Heritage

The centre’s architecture is inspired by the tapered hulls of traditional sailing vessels from the Song Dynasty, nearly 1,000 years ago. These historic ships once made the Pearl River China’s gateway to global trade.

Natural Ventilation and River Facing Spectacle

Vertical louvers wrap each structure, shaping fluid silhouettes while channeling cooling summer winds from the South China Sea. A monumental arched opening in the stadium directs fresh sea air into the seating bowl and frames uninterrupted river views, blending performance, landscape, and climate-responsive design.

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✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Greater Bay Area Sports Centre features fluid massing and hull like curves inspired by traditional maritime forms. Vertical louvers create a rhythmic façade and allow natural ventilation from coastal winds. While the design language is visually cohesive, the repeated façade expressions across the three venues slightly limit functional distinction and could use clearer spatial cues for circulation. Nevertheless, the complex successfully links athletic activity with the riverfront landscape, providing a civic asset that enriches the public realm.