Saitama Super Arena has closed for renovations, prompting a series of venue changes for its regular events. The city's 20-Year-Olds' Gathering will move to Saitama Stadium 2002, while the New Year's Eve martial arts event will move to Nagoya.
GMO Arena Saitama in Chuo Ward, Saitama, has been closed from January this year through March next year for major renovation work. The facility had attracted approximately 2.87 million visitors annually, but the closure has led to events being moved to other venues.
The arena has 7 floors above ground and 1 below, approximately 130,000 square meters of total floor space, and approximately 37,000 seats. Its structure allows the walls and floors to be moved according to the intended use. The suspended ceiling will be reinforced to prevent falls, with work to install wires and nets, while additional ceiling speakers and air-conditioning upgrades are also planned. The prefecture has budgeted approximately ¥14.8 billion in related costs through this fiscal year.
As a result of the closure, the anime music event "AnimeLo Summer Live" has moved to Makuhari Messe, while the martial arts event "RIZIN" has moved to Vantelin Dome Nagoya in Nagoya. The city has announced plans to hold its annual 20-Year-Olds' Gathering at Saitama Stadium 2002 next year, although precautions will be necessary because the venue is outdoors, including measures to address the cold and wind.
Saitama Arena's General Affairs Section has announced plans to hold events at the exhibition halls and the adjacent Keyaki Hiroba during the closure, with the aim of revitalizing the Shintoshin area. In April, Saitama Mayor Shimizu Hayato (清水 勇人) held a session to hear from student members of the organizing committee and indicated his intention to continue considering measures for the winter months.