Built in 1997, the Shanghai Stadium is considered one of the most modern in China PR. As such it came as no surprise that the stadium was chosen to host the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

The stadium's quality and splendour have been recognised again and again. It was voted best sports venue in Shanghai in 1998 before being named among the city's top-ten classic buildings the next year. After China's successful bid to host the Olympic Games in 2008, it beat out numerous rivals to become one of the venues for Olympic Football Tournament.

Situated in the commercial centre of the Xujiahui district of Shanghai, the 56,000-seat stadium is 20 km from the city's Hongqiao airport and 50 km from the Pudong airport.