The , also known as The , is a football stadium in Misaki Park, Hyogo-ku, Kobe, Japan. The stadium has a capacity of 30,132. This stadium, which features a retractable roof, is the home ground of

J1 League The , known as the for sponsorship reasons, is the top level of the system. Founded in 1992, it is one of the most successful leagues in Asian club football. Contested by 18 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the J ...

club Vissel Kobe and the rugby union

Japan Rugby League One Japan Rugby League One (formerly the Top League) is a rugby union competition in Japan. It is the highest level of professional rugby competition in the country. The Japan Rugby Football Union created the competition in 2003, by absorbing the ...

team

Kobelco Kobe Steelers The Kobelco Kobe Steelers are a Japanese rugby union team owned by Kobe Steel, and based in Kobe. They were the first ever Top League champions when the League started in the 2003-2004 season. The team rebranded as Kobelco Kobe Steelers ahead o ...

. In 1970, was opened at the site of the Kobe Keirin Track. It was the first football stadium in Japan to be able to host games at night following the installation of night lighting.

2002 FIFA World Cup

In order to host the

2002 FIFA World Cup The 2002 FIFA World Cup, also branded as Korea Japan 2002, was the 17th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial Association football, football world championship for List of men's national association football teams, men's national teams organized by ...

, the stadium was renovated to install a removable roof and increase spectator capacity. It was opened under the name Kobe Wing Stadium in November 2001 with a capacity of 42,000. Reopened in 2003 with a reduced capacity of 32,000 Kobe Wing Stadium became the home of the Vissel Kobe football club.

2019 Rugby World Cup

The stadium has been announced as one of the venues for

2019 Rugby World Cup The 2019 Rugby World Cup was the ninth edition of the Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's rugby union teams. It was hosted in Japan from 20 September to 2 November in 12 venues all across the country. The opening match ...

which will be the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia.

Naming rights

In February 2007, Next Co., Ltd. (the owner of the real estate website "Home's") purchased the naming rights to the stadium from the city of Kobe for three years at a sum of 70 million yen per year. The stadium was renamed "Home's Stadium Kobe" on March 1, 2007, and the contract was renewed for a further three years in January 2010. In 2012, the city of Kobe sought tenders for a new naming sponsor. Kobe-based cosmetics company Noevir was the only bidder, and in February 2013, the city announced the conclusion of a three-year contract for the sum of 65 million yen per year. The stadium became known as Noevir Stadium Kobe on 1 March 2013.

References

External links

* {{2019 Rugby World Cup venues Buildings and structures in Kobe 2002 FIFA World Cup stadiums in Japan Football venues in Japan Rugby union stadiums in Japan Cricket grounds in Japan Vissel Kobe Retractable-roof stadiums in Japan Sports venues in Hyōgo Prefecture Tourist attractions in Kobe Sport in Kobe American football venues in Japan 2001 establishments in Japan Sports venues completed in 2001