Hanazono Rugby Stadium


The Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka is the oldest dedicated rugby union stadium in Japan. There is next to Hanazono Central Park. Owned by city of Higashiosaka, it opened in 1929 with a capacity of 26,544. It is the stage for the annual National High School Rugby Tournament held every year at the end of December and has hosted important international, Top League games.
Hanazono is the home of the Kintetsu Liners rugby union team.
The stadium has been selected as one of the venues for 2019 Rugby World Cup which will be the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia.

World record

On May 14, 2006 Daisuke Ohata broke the record for the most overall tries in test matches at Hanazono with a hat trick for Japan against Georgia. The previous record holder was David Campese.

Football

It hosted the J1 League game between Cerezo Osaka and Nagoya Grampus Eight was played there on May 8, 1999.

Renovation

Tne stadium underwent a large scale renovation during 2017-18 to increase facilities in preparation for the Rugby World Cup. On 26 October 2018, Hanazono hosted an international fixture between Japan national rugby union team and World XV in celebration of the completion.

2019 Rugby World Cup matches

DateTime Team #1Res.Team #2RoundAttendance
22 September 201914:1547–22Pool B20,354
28 September 201913:4528–12Pool C21,971
3 October 201914:1510–45Pool D21,069
13 October 201914:4519–31Pool C22,012