Taichung:The Taichung City government has signed a significant NT$60 billion (US$1.89 billion) contract for the construction of the "Taiwan Dome," which is set to become Taiwan's largest indoor baseball venue. The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony with Taiwan Life Insurance Co., a subsidiary of CTBC Financial Holding Co.
According to Focus Taiwan, the contract, which follows a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, was signed by Yu Chih-hsiang, director of the Taichung City Government's Sports Bureau, and Wang Cho-chun, chairman of CTBC Taiwan Dome Co. Ltd. This project represents the nation's most substantial single sports venue investment.
The new stadium, planned to seat 45,000 spectators, is described as Taiwan's largest indoor baseball venue. Attendees at the signing ceremony included Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, Deputy Sports Minister Yang Chi-wen, and Jeffrey Koo Jr., president of the Baseball Federation of Asia.
Mayor Lu confirmed that the venue will be named "Taiwan Dome." Highlighting the growing popularity of baseball in Taiwan, particularly since the opening of the Taipei Dome in December 2023, she emphasized the need for additional facilities. The signing ceremony confirmed the development of a major domed stadium in central Taiwan.
The event also saw the presence of CTBC Brothers general manager Peng Cheng-min and Detroit Tigers infielder Lee Hao-yu. Lee gifted Mayor Lu a baseball and a bat with his signature, expressing his honor to attend the event and his hope to play at the dome in the future. He also wished for the stadium's early completion.
The project includes an international-standard baseball stadium complex located in Taichung's Shuinan Economic and Trade Park. It will feature two hotels and a luxury shopping mall spanning approximately 33,000 square meters, along with facilities to host concerts.
