Changes at Ajinomoto Stadium for 2009

There’s been a few notable announcements about FCT’s home ground of Ajinomoto Stadium on the official website, so let’s sum them up:

Starting from this year, concourses at Ajinomoto Stadium will be smoke-free.  Special areas will be set up for smokers before the match, and smokers will have access to the same areas as last year during half time.  Unlike last year, “Smoker Cards” will not be handed out, so smokers must present their tickets for re-entry.  Info and area maps here for those who care.

Food service is being significantly expanded at the stadium.  No longer are fans limited to the tyranny of Foody’s (standard Japanese stadium fare) or KFC, with 3 new restaurants being added around the stadium.  In addition, catering trucks will be set up in the concourse area at various locations, which will hopefully reduce lines.   Personally I don’t care if they serve fried rat testicles on a stick if they would just let me bring bottles of water into the stadium without having to smuggle them in.  Anyway, maps and more info here.

And for news that isn’t totally boring, the prohibition on accessing the bottom level of the stands (the walkway in front of the short fence) has been lifted, allowing fans to get a little closer to the action.  In 2008 the space was blocked off with rope following fears that fans would want to jump onto the field; somehow it took team officials a year to figure out that if you tell Japanese people not to do something, they generally won’t do it.  While fans will be allowed to congregate on the bottom walkway, standing, sitting, or straddling the fence is still prohibited.

Finally, an explanation has emerged for why I have to figure out where Komazawa Stadium is.  Ajinomoto Stadium will be repairing its pitch in June; re-sodding, re-turfing, repairing and upgrading the irrigation systems, that sort of thing.  As a result, FC Tokyo won’t be using the stadium from late May (their last match in Ajisuta will be on 5/24 against Kawasaki Frontale) through mid-July (the first post-rennovation match will be vs. Nagoya Grampus on 7/12).