Chinese authorities are reportedly planning to build a huge football stadium in Shanghai with the capacity to hold up to 50,000 spectators. The move would mark another big step in China's ambitious pursuit to transform itself into a major football power.

The stadium has been tentatively named the Pudong Soccer Stadium. After completion, it is expected to host other sports events like Olympic Games. The new stadium will cover approximately 10-hectare site in Pudong New Area.

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China's financial capital city, Shanghai, already has two soccer stadiums. The Hongkou Stadium that has a 35,000 seat capacity and Jinshan Stadium that can hold just about 20,000 spectators. But Shanghai municipal authorities for long have been hoping for the city to have a much larger soccer stadium.  

There are speculations that the new stadium would also be the home stadium of Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) Football Club. Chen Xuyuan, president, and owner of SIPG, told Thepaper.cn that their initial plan to upgrade Yuanshen Sports Centre Stadium had to be shelved due to the small size of the stadium.

Chinese football is currently witnessing rapid growth. The Chinese Super League now has some of the best soccer talents in the world, and many more high-profile players are expected to head to China.

President Xi Jinping is widely believed to be the man heading the ongoing soccer revolution. Xi has never hidden his passion for football. He has also said that he wishes to make Chinese football at par with European football.

Tagschina, Chinese football, Shanghai, Football in China