As most of the world’s nations grapple with lockdown precautions to slow the coronavirus spreading, China is beginning to slowly ease their restrictions, and one local football club has ambitious plans for the future.

Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao F.C. recently announced that construction on a new stadium – costing approximately $1.7 billion – has begun. However, this will be no ordinary stadium.

Once completed, the building will house 100 000 spectators, and it would be designed in a shape similar to a lotus flower.

Construction began last week Thursday, 17 April, and is scheduled to be done by the end of 2022 – just in time for the 2023 Asia Cup.

Club president, Xia Haijun, praised the project, saying that the stadium would be “a world-class landmark” on par with other construction wonders such as the Sydney Opera House in Australia, or Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates.

Guangzhou Evergrande are currently housed at their home turf of Tianhe Stadium, which can seat 58 500 fans.

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