Venues of the 2008 Summer Olympics

For the 2008 Summer Olympics, a total of thirty-seven venues were used, thirty-one in Beijing, and six outside Beijing.

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games were held in Beijing, China from 8 to 24 August 2008.^{[n 1]} A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 NOCs (countries) participated in 302 events in 28 sports held in 37 competition venues.^[1] Events took place at eleven pre-existing venues, twelve new venues constructed for the Olympics, and eight temporary venues that were removed following the games. In addition, six venues outside Beijing hosted events, two of which were newly built for the Olympics.

Beijing won its bid to host the 2008 Olympics on 13 July 2001.^[2] The first new venues to begin construction were the Beijing National Stadium, Beijing National Aquatics Center, Beijing Shooting Range Hall, and the Laoshan Velodrome, where major work commenced in December 2003.^[3] By May 2007, construction had begun at all of the Beijing venues for the games.^[4] Approximately RMB¥13 billion (US$1.9 billion) was spent to build and renovate the venues.^[5]

Several of the venues were located at the Olympic Green Olympic Park. The largest venue at the games in terms of seating capacity was the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, which could at the time hold 91,000 spectators and was the site for the opening and closing ceremonies. The smallest venue in terms of seating capacity was the temporary Laoshan Mountain Bike Course, which had seating for 2,000 spectators.

Venues

Olympic Green

Venue	Sports	Capacity	Ref.
Beijing National Aquatic Center	Swimming, Diving and Synchronized Swimming	17,000	[6]
Beijing National Indoor Stadium	Gymnastics (artistic, trampoline), Handball (final)	19,000	[7]
Beijing National Stadium	Athletics, Football (final)	91,000	[8]
Olympic Green Tennis Center	Tennis	17,400	[9]
Olympic Green Archery Field	Archery	5,000	[10]
Olympic Green Convention Center	Fencing, Modern Pentathlon (fencing, shooting)	5,695	[11]
Olympic Green Hockey Field	Field hockey	17,000	[12]

Universities Gymnasiums

Venue	Sports	Capacity	Ref.
Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium	Judo, Taekwondo	8,024	[13]
Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium	Badminton, Gymnastics (rhythmic)	7,500	[14]
China Agricultural University Gymnasium	Wrestling	8,000	[15]
Peking University Gymnasium	Table tennis	8,000	[16]
Beihang University Gymnasium	Weightlifting	5,400	[17]
Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium	Volleyball	5,000	[18]

New competition venues

The Beijing National Aquatics Center at night

Beijing National Stadium

Venue	Sports	Capacity	Ref.
Beijing National Aquatic Center	Swimming, Diving and Synchronized Swimming	17,000	[6]
Beijing National Indoor Stadium	Gymnastics (artistic, trampoline), Handball (final)	19,000	[7]
Beijing National Stadium	Athletics, Football (final)	91,000	[8]
Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium	Judo, Taekwondo	8,024	[13]
Beijing Shooting Range Hall	Shooting (pistol, rifle)	9,000	[19]
Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium	Badminton, Gymnastics (rhythmic)	7,500	[20]
China Agricultural University Gymnasium	Wrestling	8,000	[21]
Laoshan Velodrome	Cycling (track)	6,000	[22]
Olympic Green Tennis Center	Tennis	17,400	[9]
Peking University Gymnasium	Table tennis	8,000	[16]
Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park	Rowing, Canoeing, and Swimming (marathon)	37,000	[23]
Wukesong Indoor Stadium	Basketball	18,000	[24]

Existing competition venues

Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium, hosted the volleyball competition

The Workers Stadium, hosted the quarter-final and semi-final football matches

Venue	Sports	Capacity	Ref.
Beihang University Gymnasium	Weightlifting	5,400	[25]
Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium	Volleyball	5,000	[26]
Beijing Shooting Range Clay Target Field	Shooting (shotgun)	5,000	[27]
Capital Indoor Stadium	Volleyball (final)	18,000	[28]
Fengtai Softball Field	Softball	13,000	[29]
Laoshan Mountain Bike Course	Cycling (Mountain Bike)	2,000	[30]
Olympic Sports Centre	Football, Modern Pentathlon (riding, running)	36,228	[31]
Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium	Handball	7,000	[32]
Workers Indoor Arena	Boxing	13,000	[33]
Workers Stadium	Football	70,161	[34]
Ying Tung Natatorium	Water Polo, Modern Pentathlon (swimming)	4,852	[35]

Temporary competition venues

Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground

Venue	Sports	Capacity	Ref.
Beach Volleyball Ground	Volleyball (beach)	12,000	[36]
BMX Field	Cycling (BMX)	4,000	[37]
Olympic Green Archery Field	Archery	5,000	[10]
Olympic Green Convention Center	Fencing, Modern Pentathlon (fencing, shooting)	5,695	[11]
Olympic Green Hockey Field	Field hockey	17,000	[12]
Triathlon Venue	Triathlon	10,000	[38]
Urban Road Cycling Course	Cycling (road race)	n/a^[n 2]	[39]
Wukesong Baseball Field	Baseball	18,000	[40]

Competition venues outside Beijing

Shanghai Stadium, one of the venues for the football preliminaries

Venue	Location	Sports	Capacity	Ref.
Hong Kong Equestrian Venues	Hong Kong	Equestrian	18,000	[41]
Qingdao International Sailing Center	Qingdao	Sailing	n/a^[n 2]	[42]
Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium	Qinhuangdao	Football	33,572	[43]
Shanghai Stadium	Shanghai	Football	80,000	[44]
Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium	Shenyang	Football	60,000	[45]
Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium	Tianjin	Football	60,000	[46]

Notes

^ 1. Although the official opening of the games was on 8 August 2008, football games were held beginning on 6 August.^[47]
^ ^ 2. Both the Urban Road Cycling Course and the Qingdao International Sailing Center did not have spectator seating, and therefore in this table no capacities are listed. Spectators for events held at these venues could observe events held in them from regular pedestrian areas such as sidewalks.

References

1. "NOC entry forms received" (Press release). International Olympic Committee. 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2008-08-08. (...) confirmed the qualification of 11,028 athletes, including 363 supplement athletes holding a P card.
2. "BEIJING 2008: Election". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
3. "Beijing 2008: Beginning of Venue Construction Project". International Olympic Committee. 2003-12-15. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
4. "All Beijing-based venues under construction". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. 2007-05-11. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
5. "Beijing Olympics funding exceeds $43 bn". NDTV.com. 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
6. "National Aquatics Center". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
7. "National Indoor Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
8. "National Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
9. "Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Court". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
10. "Beijing Olympic Green Archery Field". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
11. "Fencing Hall of National Convention Center". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
12. "Beijing Olympic Green Hockey Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
13. "Beijing Science and Technology University". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
14. "Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
15. "China Agricultural University Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
16. "Peking University Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
17. "Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
18. "Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
19. "Beijing Shooting Range Hall". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
20. "Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
21. "China Agricultural University Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
22. "Laoshan Velodrome". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
23. "Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
24. "Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
25. "Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
26. "Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
27. "Beijing Shooting Range CTF". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
28. "Capital Indoor Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
29. "Fengtai Sports Center Softball Field". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
30. "Laoshan Mountain Bike Course". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
31. "Olympic Sports Center Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
32. "Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
33. "Beijing Workers' Gymnasium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
34. "Beijing Workers' Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
35. "Yingdong Natatorium of National Olympic Sports Center". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
36. "Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
37. "Laoshan Bicycle Motocross (BMX) Venue". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
38. "Triathlon Venue". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
39. "Road Cycling Course". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
40. "Beijing Wukesong Sports Center Baseball Field". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
41. "Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
42. "Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
43. "Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
44. "Shanghai Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
45. "Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
46. "Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium". Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
47. Marcus, Jeffrey (2008-08-07). "U.S. Opens With Win Over Japan". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-01-18.

External links

• Olympic Venue Distribution overlay on Google Maps - Unofficial overlay on satellite imagery. (Overlay on MSN Maps)