1987

June		The Japan Football Association submitted to FIFA an invitation to host the World Cup in Japan.

1992

February		The President of the Saitama Football Association submitted a proposal to construct a new stadium and announced that if Japans bit for the World Cup was successful that the new stadium would be considered as a possible site for the games.
July		It was announced that the new proposed stadium was officially to be a site to host the World Cup games.
September		The first plan for a 40,000 seat stadium was submitted.

1993

January		The new stadium was officially approved as a site to host World Cup games.

1994

October		The capacity of the stadium was changed to 60,000 seats.
December		The prefecture created the Saitama Football Assembly.

1996

May		FIFA decided to hold the World Cup both in Korea and Japan.
October		At the September meeting of the Saitama Football Assembly the stadium construction plan budget was approved.
December	25th	Japan football association administrative board (10 autonomy decided)

1997

February	25th	The land site dedication ceremony was held.

1998

May	9th	The construction commencement ceremony was held.
August	6th	The JAWOC administrative board announced that the semi-final game of the World Cup would be held at the new stadium.
October	28th	The Governor of Saitama submitted a 1,660,000 name petition to have the final game held in Saitama.
December	19th	The Kashima Construction Group held its ceremony praying for an accident free and safe building project.

2000

March	15th	The name of the stadium was approved - "Saitama Stadium 2002"
August	29th	Kashima Construction Group held the stadium roof raising ceremony.
October	31th	The stadium logo and mascot were approved.

2001

March	26th	The game fields were seeded.
July	31th	The stadium was completed.
October	6th	The stadiums opening ceremony was held with over 106,000 people attending.
October	13th	The stadiums first official match was held between the Urawa Red Diamonds and the Yokohama F Marinos. The 60,553 fans that attended set a new J League record.
October	16th	The stadiums guided tours were introduced.
November	7th	The first international match was held between Japan and Italia attracting 61,833 spectators.
December	29th	The first game between the Urawa Red Diamonds and Cerezo Osaka was held.
December	31th	The first game of the Japan high school championship was held.

2002

January	2nd	The second game of the Japan high school championship was held.
June	2nd	The Japan Korea World Cup games were hosted: England and Sweden - 52,721 spectators
June	4th	Japan and Belgium - 55,256 spectators
June	6th	Cameroon and Saudi Arabia - 52,328 spectators
June	26th	Brazil and Turk - 61,058 spectators

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15 minute walk to the stadium (1.2km)

It is best to arrive at Urawa-Misono station one hour before game time. A shuttle bus from the station to the stadium (100 yen) is available commencing three hours before the game.

N.B. This bus does not operate from the stadium to the station.