Yokohama Arena
| Company type | Indoor arena |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Sports, Events |
| Founded | April 1, 1989 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan |
| Headquarters | Yokohama , Japan |
Area served | Kantō region, Japan |
| Website | www |
Yokohama Arena is an indoor arena situated in Yokohama, within Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Since its opening in 1989, the venue has accommodated up to 17,000 spectators and was designed with inspiration from the American facility Madison Square Garden. It lies conveniently just a five-minute stroll from Shin-Yokohama Station, accessible via both JR and the Yokohama Municipal Subway lines.
Ranked among the largest concert locations in the Kantō region, it often serves as the concluding stop for various tours. The arena’s ample stage area allows for intricate lighting and set arrangements, while its capacity makes it easier to achieve sold-out shows compared to larger sites like the Tokyo Dome.
History
The arena officially commenced operations on April 1, 1989, marked by a debut performance from singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya. It has since welcomed numerous leading Japanese performers such as AKB48, Namie Amuro, Babymetal, B'z, Coldrain (who captured their live album 15x(5+U) Live at Yokohama Arena there), Hi-Standard (with their Live at Yokohama Arena 20181222 album), L'Arc-en-Ciel, LiSA, Misia, Mr. Children, One Ok Rock, Hikaru Utada, and X Japan. The venue has also attracted international artists like Guns N' Roses, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, Big Bang, BLACKPINK, and BTS. From 2005 through 2014, it was the site of the annual Nano-Mugen Festival, hosted by Asian Kung-Fu Generation.
MMA
Yokohama Arena has been a prominent location for major mixed martial arts competitions, including several events under the banner of the Pride Fighting Championships as well as the 2008 finale of the K-1 World Grand Prix.
Boxing
On October 7, 2018, it served as the venue for the quarterfinal bout of the World Boxing Super Series featuring fighters Naoya Inoue and Juan Carlos Payano.
2011 Tōhoku earthquake/tsunami relief
In response to the devastation caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Yokohama Arena functioned as an emergency shelter, offering refuge and necessary services to displaced individuals. Officials highlighted both the unprecedented number of evacuees and their composed demeanor during this period.
In popular culture
The arena is depicted in the manga and anime series Hajime no Ippo.