Completed in 1997 in readiness for the 2002 FIFA World Cup™, the International Stadium Yokohama lies 6km to the north of the city centre.

With a capacity of 72,370, it is the country's largest ground and was the setting of the last FIFA World Cup Final between Brazil and Germany and hosted matches during the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2001.

Although there is some distance between the stands and the pitch, the stadium has excellent facilities for television and will play host to three matches during the FIFA Club World Club, including the final.

Yokohama is considered one of Japan's more football friendly cities and until 1998 when the Flugels were forced by bankruptcy into joining crosstown rivals Marinos, the city was home to two popular J-League sides.