Stadium Games in Entrepreneurial Cities in China: A State Project

Cities in China have started to build sport-related infrastructure in earnest; over 1.6 million sport facilities (including 1,093 large-scale sport stadiums and arenas) were built in China from 2003 to 2013. However, operating losses have created concerns of a debt crisis, sparking debate as to whether stadium and arena development can improve the quality of life of residents. This paper examines China's arena development strategy over the past decade, and finds that development has been undertaken by local governments for two purposes: (1) local development and growth to increase urban competitiveness; and (2) establishing "human-centered" infrastructure to symbolically position the city to gain the state's sustained support in competition for resources with other cities. Thus, cities do not invest public funds principally in the name of increased tourism, commercial development, or even civic pride but rather as a means for the city to be elevated in the eyes of the central government.