The new National Stadium, where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will take place, is complete and has been officially opened at a ceremony attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Completely rebuilt for the 2020 Games, the stadium is a symbol of great pride in Japan, as it was used as the main stadium for the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964. Following the Games, it will be used for sporting and cultural events.

The 68,000-seat capacity stadium will also host events in athletics and football.

Designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the stadium complements the surrounding area, which includes a large green space known as the Outer Garden of Meiji Jingu Shrine. Envisioned to be a “living tree”, the exterior of the stadium consists of multi-layered eaves made of wood from each of the 47 prefectures in Japan. More than 47,000 small- to medium-sized trees were planted within the area.