Football meets history, where classic and modern converge—let’s go to Xi’an to watch the game!

Chief reporter Chen Yong reports Nine years might be a mere blink in Xi’an’s 3,100-year timeline, yet it feels extensive for local football: since the Chinese national team departed in 2016, this is the first time in nine years that Xi’an hosts an official national team match. At the same time, the newly built professional stadium, Xi’an International Football Center, is ready for its inaugural event.

The old football anthems have faded away, but today the youthful cheers will resound again in Xi’an. This fresh green field festival awaits you in this crisp early autumn season!

Under the Qin moon and Han passes, amid the gentle rains of Sui and Tang autumns in Chang’an, the recent days saw the northern autumn heat raging fiercely, with humidity surpassing even the hottest summer. Yet arriving in Xi’an, a refreshing breeze greets you, as if the heavens are smiling upon us.

Exiting Xi’an North Station, you find Yuanshuo Avenue to the south. Yuanshuo was the third reign title of Emperor Wu of Han, known mostly after his first reign Jianyuan and fourth reign Yuanshou. Since reign titles began with Emperor Wu, Jianyuan marks the start of imperial era names in China, and Yuanshou earned the posthumous title “Wu.” During this time, Emperor Wu led massive campaigns against the Xiongnu, achieving historic victories such as Huo Qubing’s enfeoffment at Langjuxu in Yuanshou’s fourth year (119 BC). The Yuanshuo period also saw General Wei Qing’s major campaigns, like the recovery of Hetao in Yuanshuo’s second year, and Zhang Qian’s first mission to the Western Regions in the third year—an important milestone extending China’s influence west beyond the Pamirs.

From Hancheng Interchange, take the ring expressway west then south for nearly 30 kilometers to exit at Epang Palace Interchange. Epang Palace is a well-known name, and the Xi’an International Football Center is located about 6 kilometers west of the Epang Palace ruins. In fact, many Xi’an football fans affectionately call the stadium the “Epang Palace Grand Stadium.”

Speaking of this stadium’s nickname, there are actually several options based solely on location. One kilometer south of the stadium lies the “Xiliuying Station” on the metro—originally called Xiliu Station. This spot corresponds to the historic military training camp of Zhou Yafu at Xiliu, a famous story of Emperor Wen of Han inspecting the camp and Zhou Yafu’s strict discipline, a well-known military anecdote.

Football is war in times of peace; from a competitive perspective, the name “Xiliuying Grand Stadium” carries a powerful connotation. Additionally, southwest Chang’an was home to Shanglin Park, and one kilometer north along Fuxing Avenue west of the stadium is Shanglin Road, so “Shanglinyuan Grand Stadium” could be another possible nickname. Nearby are the ruins of the Zhou dynasty capitals Fenghao, which marked the beginning of Xi’an’s history, located on the west bank of the Feng River, only about 6 kilometers from the stadium on the east bank.

Of course, a city’s professional stadium can also embody the city’s unique character or regional identity to create “memory anchors.” Perhaps in the future, fans across China will call it the “Han-Tang Grand Stadium,” “Ancient Capital Stadium,” “Sanqin Stadium,” or “Guanzhong Stadium,” and so on.

Arriving in Xi’an, reality and history easily intertwine: on the 29th, light rain fell, evoking over three millennia of Qin, Zhou, Qin, and Tang storms in Guanzhong; a glimpse of willow green brought to mind Zhou Yafu’s Xiliu military camp, then thoughts drifted westward to Yangguan. For those living in the east, the distance from Xi’an to Yangguan is unclear, but it’s actually much farther than from Jinan to Xi’an—roughly twice as far. That night, CCTV-6 aired the movie “The Myth,” another nod to history. The generals Meng Tian and Meng Yi appeared, though drama and history differ: civil officials became warriors, and the latter half’s ancient tomb battle naturally reminded viewers of Xi’an’s core relic—the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang.

Other cities may cherish, dispute, or obsess over history, but in Xi’an, it is simply part of everyday life.

This made the reporter recall the first visit to Xi’an in 2001, arriving after an overnight train ride. Before going to the stadium, a visit to the Xi’an Museum was made. Back then, the museum was nearly empty; now, entry reportedly requires advance booking. Also, the sleeper train to Xi’an used to take over ten hours, but today the fastest high-speed train from Jinan to Xi’an takes less than four hours. Once, Xi’an seemed so far away, and China so vast; now, Xi’an feels much closer. Isn’t it more convenient to come watch football in Xi’an now?

Let’s rein in historical thoughts and return to football. Among Chinese professional stadiums, after visiting many, I find Workers’ Stadium one of the most distinctive buildings. Its retro style stands out amid the fatigue of modern stadium aesthetics, offering a unique impression.

In fact, every professional stadium carries unique elements: Dalian’s Suoyu Bay Stadium symbolizes “waves and sea shells,” Qingdao Youth Stadium represents “leaping waves,” Chengdu Phoenix Hill Sports Park Stadium evokes “a phoenix spreading its wings,” Chongqing Longxing Stadium signifies “dragon rising,” “fire phoenix,” and “speed,” while the soon-to-be-completed Jinan Yellow River Sports Center Stadium embodies “the charm of the Yellow River’s nine bends.”

These stadiums are magnificent, mostly modern, streamlined, and even futuristic. After aesthetic fatigue, they seem common. A desire for more diverse styles arises, like the non-streamlined smaller stadiums such as TEDA Stadium and Rizhao International Football Center, which feel especially distinctive.

Xi’an International Football Center, judging from aerial photos online, also has a streamlined shape. But approaching the stadium reveals its uniqueness, most notably its color—the main structure uses vermilion terracotta lattice panels, the classic color of ancient Chinese architecture, as seen in the Forbidden City and Tiananmen.

Interestingly, the stadium’s design was led by the British Zaha Hadid Architects, yet it incorporates very traditional Chinese elements, which makes for an intriguing story.

As a reporter with little architectural knowledge, I learned from materials that the overall structure reflects the “round heaven, square earth” cosmology, with a square load-bearing base and a circular dome, showcasing the elevated foundation style of Zhou and Qin architecture. The massive dougong brackets and high eaves are typical of Tang dynasty buildings, blending strength and grace. I thought: if the roof design also reflected ancient Chinese style, it might be even more perfect. But the fusion of ancient and modern truly embodies the essence of Xi’an, the ancient capital.

The stadium’s retro touches continue inside, where seat colors accented in vermilion form Tang palace patterns, delivering another vintage visual impact—but it’s tricky to snag these seats unless you rush in as soon as the stadium opens on match day. Reportedly, since this is the debut of Xi’an International Football Center, not all stands are open yet. However, the beginning is the most important, especially after a four-year wait. With a start, will a full house and roaring crowd be far behind?

Starting today, September 1, domestic fans begin gathering in Xi’an. Is Xi’an ready for this football feast? Liu Gang, Deputy Director of Xi’an Sports Bureau, said: “Hosting an official national team match again after nine years, we have prepared comprehensively and thoroughly to top-tier event standards.”

As mentioned, whether by plane or train, the ring expressway easily takes you to the stadium, with the Epang Palace exit just 5 kilometers away. For local transit, Metro Line 16 serves three stations near the stadium: Xiliuying, Xi’an International Football Center, and Fuxing Avenue North. Shuttle buses connect the two farther stations. Additionally, Shaanxi Tourism Bus offers a “Fan Express.”

Team training facilities are even more complete: besides two training fields at Xi’an International Football Center, Fengdong Football Park has two FIFA-standard anchored turf pitches. In fact, the training grounds prepared for the U22 national team in Xi’an have surplus capacity.

The event fully showcases the organic integration of football and cultural tourism. First, the Xixian New Area offers a “Ticket Bundle” giving visitors access to accommodation, transport, entertainment, and dining around the stadium, including discounts at attractions like Kunming Pool & Qixi Park, Shijingli (a Shijing culture town), Xi’an Hiking Sports (Science & Technology Museum), Fucha Town, Jihua Ice & Snow Xi’an Center, and Hanyang Museum. Second, starting September 1, Xi’an Municipal Bureau of Commerce launches a viewing package distributing 90,000 dining and lodging vouchers valued at 20, 50, and 150 yuan from over 130 hotels and restaurants and 90 lodging providers, redeemable via offline Alipay payments. Other attractions like Huaqing Pool, Bailuyuan Film City, and Silk Road Happy World also offer limited discounts. Additional services include 15% off shipping at all Xi’an SF Express locations with match tickets, and special benefits from Didi and Amap for convenient travel.

Regarding other event preparations, the Xi’an Municipal Party Committee and Government, Xixian New Area, provincial and municipal sports bureaus, football association, and Shaanxi Sports Group have all treated this as a top-tier event. This reflects Shaanxi Province and Xi’an’s strong commitment to football development in recent years. We believe this grand event will mark a new chapter for football in Xi’an.