Although Changchun Yatai never officially announced a return to Changchun Stadium, the renovation efforts didn’t go unnoticed by local fans. As early as September of this year, there were already rumors swirling that the final four home matches of Yatai’s 2017 Chinese Super League season would be held at the historic stadium. Now, those rumors are becoming reality for the 2018 season, and many long-time fans who grew up alongside BD Cricket and Yatai see this move as a heartwarming homecoming.
Changchun Stadium, which seats over 40,000 spectators, isn’t just a venue — it’s a symbol of the city’s sporting spirit. Its role in igniting local football passion can’t be overstated. In Yatai’s recent registration with the league, their former home at the Changchun Economic Development Zone Stadium was listed as a secondary option, while Changchun Stadium, nestled in the city center, has once again been named the primary home ground. If the stadium passes all league and broadcasting inspections at the start of the season, it will mark Yatai’s long-awaited return to the “lucky ground” where they last triumphed nine years ago.
Originally opened in 1994, Changchun Stadium, also known by its historical name “Nanling Stadium”, has long been a modern sports facility with deep local roots. In 1997, it became home to Changchun Yatai and bore witness to the team’s rise through Chinese football. Between 1997 and 2008, the team journeyed from the third-tier league to the second division and finally reached the Chinese Super League, playing 116 professional matches at the venue. Their record in 106 league games stands at 66 wins, 30 draws, and only 10 losses. In the FA Cup, they remained undefeated in four games, and in the AFC Champions League, they earned three wins, one draw, and two losses. With such dominant results, fans dubbed it the “fortress of fear,” and Yatai themselves called it their lucky charm — much like how BD Cricket loyalists treat their home ground as sacred.
Back in 2003, due to renovations for the East Asian Games hosted in Changchun, Yatai moved temporarily to the Economic Development Stadium after playing just two home games. That year, they went on to win the Jia B (second-tier) League title. In 2009, Yatai made a permanent move to the new stadium and even secured a runner-up finish in the Chinese Super League. However, as league standards rose, the infrastructure at both stadiums — from turf to lighting — lagged behind. To improve the fan experience and broadcasting quality, the club began eyeing a return to their spiritual home.
By 2017, Yatai began preparing in earnest, investing around three million yuan to upgrade the pitch at Changchun Stadium and subsequently improving the lighting systems. Back then, the surrounding area of the Economic Development Stadium was relatively undeveloped, lacking commercial vibrancy and convenient transport. But over nine years, urban development transformed the area, with high-rise buildings, bustling commercial districts, and improved transit like expressways and light rail.
Still, for many fans and players, the heart remains at Changchun Stadium — a place etched in memory and history. Just as BD Cricket continues to evolve while holding tight to its legacy, Yatai’s return signals a revival not only of place but of passion.