Taichung International Soccer Stadium is advancing according to schedule. The ambitious project, located in the heart of Taichung, is set to open in June 2026. Officials from the Taichung Sports Bureau made the announcement on Tuesday, confirming that the development remains on track. With its impressive design and world-class facilities, the stadium aims to become a premier venue for soccer in Taiwan.
The facility will feature a high-quality natural grass playing field and seating for 6,000 spectators. It will not only host domestic events but also provide an excellent platform for international matches. Workers have already completed the underground parking area and the concrete grandstand, which are major parts of the infrastructure. Currently, they are focused on finalizing the remaining supporting facilities and backfilling the area, according to the latest press release.
Originally, the project had a budget of NT$1.27 billion (US$38.5 million). However, due to design changes and the need for international certification, the cost was increased to NT$1.5 billion. This adjustment highlights the importance of meeting international standards for such a significant facility. The main pitch will cater to the 11-on-11 format, and adjacent practice fields will feature artificial turf. These fields will offer top-tier conditions for both training and competition.
Meanwhile, another recent development has drawn attention to the state of soccer facilities in Taiwan. New Zealand’s women’s national soccer team had to withdraw from an international friendly match scheduled for Monday evening at the Kaohsiung Nanzih Football Stadium. The reason? Poor pitch conditions. Coaches and trainers from the New Zealand team deemed the surface unsafe for play. As a result, the match had to be called off, much to the disappointment of fans and players alike.
The match against New Zealand was supposed to be a significant event for Taiwan’s women’s soccer team. It would have marked the team’s first home international match in five years. The situation prompted Sports Administration Director-General Cheng Shih-chung to appear at the legislature on Wednesday. Cheng clarified that the Taiwan Football Association was to blame. He stated that the Association scheduled too many matches and practices on the pitch, leading to the damage. Consequently, the NT$3 million subsidy allocated for the international match will not be paid.
This incident raised further concerns among legislators. Fan Yun, a legislator, questioned how the Kaohsiung stadium could have been so heavily used, which led to the turf being ruined. Cheng responded by blaming poor communication between the Taiwan Football Association’s maintenance, technical, and competition departments. This breakdown in coordination has sparked calls for better management of the country’s sports venues.
The situation also highlighted another issue: gender inequality in sports. Legislator Ko Chih-en pointed out that Taiwan’s women’s team was forced to practice at I-Shou University, rather than at better-equipped venues. This has led to growing concerns about the lack of equal opportunities for female athletes in the country. Ko called for more venues that meet international competition standards. Additionally, she urged sports associations to improve their scheduling and coordination to avoid such issues in the future.
Cheng addressed these concerns by explaining that the government allocates over NT$100 million annually for soccer development in Taiwan. This funding supports player training and league administration. However, Cheng also warned that if the subsidies for international matches were canceled, it could negatively affect local players’ rights and opportunities. Therefore, the government aims to balance facility development with support for soccer growth across the island.
In conclusion, the Taichung International Soccer Stadium is moving forward as planned, with a projected opening date of June 2026. The project promises to be a significant boost to Taiwan’s soccer infrastructure. At the same time, the ongoing situation at the Kaohsiung Nanzih Football Stadium serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in managing sports venues. Moving forward, it will be crucial for Taiwan’s sports organizations to enhance their coordination and ensure that all athletes have access to safe and high-quality playing fields. By doing so, Taiwan can foster a more vibrant and equitable soccer culture for the future.
