Construction of the stadium began on 4 July 1984 at the former site of Guangzhou Tianhe Airport.

[1] It was opened in August 1987 for the 1987 National Games of China.

[3] In 1991, it hosted the final match of the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup between the United States and Norway.

[4] Local football team Guangzhou Evergrande moved into the stadium ahead of the 2011 season following promotion to the Chinese Super League.

[5] In February 2016, the club obtained the operating rights of the stadium from Guangzhou Sports Bureau for the next twenty years.