Southwest China's Chongqing municipality will co-host the 18th Asian Cup – together with Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi'an, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Suzhou -- according to a statement from the Chinese Football Association on Dec 28.
The 18th Asian Cup will be staged from June to July in 2023 in China. As the highest level and most influential competition organized by Asian Football Confederation, the 18th Asian Cup will stage 51 matches played between 24 teams.
Chongqing will host the group matches and one of the quarter finals at the Chongqing Liangjiang Football Match Center Stadium, which is under construction and will be completed in 2022.
The stadium in Liangjiang New Area will have a seating capacity of 46,800 people and be equipped with 920 VIP seats and 380 seats for the media.
It is the second time that Chongqing is hosting the Asian Cup matches, following its debut in 2004.
According to Chongqing Football Association, Chongqing will renovate and improve the construction of the stadium and other support facilities to provide the best experience for football fans.
John Edwards, the UK trade commissioner for China, praised Chongqing over its rise as a burgeoning center in intelligent manufacturing.