The Road to the Promised Land Locations

This page is about the locations that are specific to the story The Road to the Promised Land and yet did not appear in Dream or Premonition. Although the story spans for an entire season with events happening in many different cities, those places are the settings for key points in the storyline.

Note: all the locations in this page exist in real life.

Stadiums

International Stadium Yokohama

International Yokohama Stadium — International Stadium Yokohama

Located in Yokohama, this all-seater multipurpose stadium with a capacity of 72,327 is the home of J-League club Yokohama F. Marinos. Since its opening in 1998 and until the opening of the renovated National Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, it is the stadium with the highest seating capacity of all Japan. During the 2002 FIFA World Club, the stadium hosted 3 round robin matches, and the final match between Brazil and Germany. In the story, Kakeru and Nana join the Manchester United team to face Yokohama F. Marinos and their friend Yusuke Saeki in the first preseason match during the summer break period.

Saitama Stadium 2002

Often called Saitama Stadium (埼玉スタジアム Saitama Sutajiamu) or simply Saisuta (埼スタ), this stadium is located in Midori-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Currently, it is the home ground of J-League team Urawa Red Diamonds since 2001 and one of the biggest soccer-only stadiums in Asia through a maximum seating capacity of 63,700. Because of the level of support from local supporters who attend every Urawa home game, Saitama is regarded as one of the most difficult places to play for any visiting team in the world. In the story, Manchester United face Urawa Red Diamonds in the last game of United's preseason tour in Japan.

Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium is a soccer stadium in Wembley Park, London, England. It was opened in 2007 and was built on the site of the earlier Wembley Stadium, originally built in 1923 and demolished in 2003. With a maximum capacity of 90,000, Wembley Stadium is the second largest stadium in Europe (2014). The building's signature feature is a circular section lattice arch that's rising to 133 meters high, and supporting the weight of the north roof and 60% of the retractable roof on the southern side.

Annually, Wembley hosts matches for the England national football team, music concerts, rugby matches, NFL matches, and more. During the 2012 summer Olympics in London, the stadium hosted several matches in both the men's and women's soccer tournament, including both gold medal matches. In the story, Wembley Stadium is the venue of the annual FA Community Shield match between the Premier League champions, Manchester United, and the FA Cup winners, Arsenal Football Club. In the later stages of the campaign, the stadium is also the venue for semi-final matches and the final match of the FA Cup.

Emirates Stadium

The Emirates Stadium is a soccer stadium in Holloway, London, England, and the home of Arsenal Football Club. Also named Arsenal Stadium during European club competitions and international friendlies, it is one of the largest stadiums in England with a seating capacity of 60,361. The construction was completed in 2006 after Arsenal were denied from expanding the former Arsenal Stadium of Highbury in 1997.

Johan Cruijff Arena

Originally opened as the Amsterdam Arena, this stadium is located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Opened in 1996, the stadium mostly serves as a venue for soccer matches, music concerts and other events. The Arena has a retractable roof, a grass surface and a maximum seating capacity of 53,052 during soccer matches (68,000 during music concerts). Besides being the home stadium for A.F.C. Ajax, it is also the venue for the majority of home matches for the Netherlands national football team because of its status as the country's largest stadiium. In 2017, the venue has been renamed in memory of Ajax's late superstar Johan Cruijff.

Anfield

Located in Anfield, Liverpool, England, this mythical soccer stadium is the home of Liverpool F.C. since the club's formation in 1892. It was the home of Everton F.C. between 1884 and 1891, before they moved to Goodison Park after a dispute over rent. By the time of the story, the stadium's capacity has been expanded to around 58,000 following expansion of the Main Stand and of the Anfield Road Stand. Among Anfield's most-renowned features are the Kop end, in which Liverpool's vocal supporters congregate, and the sign stating "THIS IS ANFIELD" in the players' tunnel. The purpose of the sign is to both intimidate the opposition and to bring Liverpool players good luck upon touching it.

Hampden Park

Originally opened in 1903 and renovated to its current configuration in 1999, Hampden Park is a soccer stadium located in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,025 capacity venue serves as the home of the Scotland national football team and amateur Scottish League club Queen's Park F.C.,and regularly hosts the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup. Used also for concerts and other sports events, the stadium was configurated as an athletics stadium for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Before that, the stadium also hosted 8 soccer matches during the 2012 Summer Olympics. In the story, Japan faces Scotland in a friendly match set in the November international break.

Celtic Park

Celtic Park is a soccer stadium in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, Scotland, and the home of Celtic Football Club. Built in 1892 and renovated between 1994 and 1998, Celtic Park is the largest soccer stadium in Scotland with a capacity of 60,355. Regarded as one of the loudest stadiums in Europe, Celtic Park is one of the toughest places for the opposition to play in. In real life, the stadium hosted the opening ceremony for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. In the story, Manchester United face Celtic in the fifth groupe stage match of the UEFA Champions League.

City of Manchester Stadium

Also known as the Etihad Stadium for sponsorship reasons, it is the home of Manchester City Football Club. By the time of the story in The Road to the Promised Land, the stadium is expanded to 62,170 through a 20-month expansion starting from January 2014. Following that expansion phase, the Etihad Stadium is set to become the third largest soccer stadium in England. The stadium was also known as the venue for athletics competitions, the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2002 Commonwealth Games before its reconfiguration into a soccer stadium and re-opening in August 2003. In the story, it is the stage of one of the pivotal moments in the season with another Manchester derby classic.

King Power Stadium

The King Power Stadium is a soccer stadium in Leicester, England. It is the home ground of Leicester City Football Club since its opening in 2002. It was originally named the Walkers Stadium as snack foods company Walkers was also the club's shirt sponsor. The naming rights have been sold to travel retail group King Power in the 2011-12 season. The stadium holds a maximum capacity of 32,262. Besides matches for Leicester City F.C., the stadium was also used for 3 international friendly matches between 2003 and 2006. The stadium was also used for 3 matches during the 2015 Rugby World Cup. For events in which sponsors cannot be named, the stadium is simply known as the Leicester City Stadium.

Villa Park

Villa Park is a soccer stadium in Aston, Birmingham, England. It has been the home of Aston Villa Football Club since its opening in 1897. The ground has hosted 16 international matches involving the England National Football Team, the first in 1899 and the most recent in 2005. It is the first English ground to host international matches in 3 different centuries. In the history of the FA Cup, the stadium hosted 55 matches for semifinals, more than any other stadium. After going through different various stages of renovation and redevelopment, the current capacity goes up to 42,682.

Olympic Stadium (London)

Built in the Stratford district of East London as part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the multi-purpose London Stadium, commonly known as the Olympic Stadium, is the home of West Ham United Football Club. It was constructed to serve as the home stadium for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, hosting the track and field events and opening and closing ceremonies. Originally built with a capacity of 80,000, the capacity was reduced to welcome a maximum of 60,000 spectators during association football matches and athletics events after the re-opening in July 2016. The stadium was also used for several matches during the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Juventus Stadium

Built in Turin, Italy, this stadium is the home of Serie A club Juventus Football Club. The stadium was built was built on the site of Juventus and Torino Football Club's former home, the Stadio delle Alpi (Stadium of the Alps). Opened in September 2011 with a capacity of 41,000, Juventus Stadium is one of only 2 club-owned stadiums in Serie A. The Juventus Museum is also located inside the stadium while a shopping center has been opened adjacent to it. In the story, Juventus is one of Manchester United's rivals in the UEFA Champions League.

Gillette Stadium

File:Gillette Stadium.jpg

Gillette Stadium (NFL configuration)

Gillette Stadium is a stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 24 miles (39 km) southwest of downtown Boston and 20 miles (32 km) northeast of downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for both the NFL's New England Patriots football franchise and MLS's New England Revolution soccer team. Opened in 2002 as the CMGI Field, it has a maximum capacity of 66,829 for New England Patriots home games. In Chapter 36, it is the venue of the final day of the SheBelieves Cup, an American-based invitational association football tournament involving the best 4 women's teams in the world.

Stamford Bridge

Located in Fulham, West London, England, this soccer stadium is the home of Chelsea Football Club. Opened in 1877, the stadium was used by the London Athletics Club until 1905, the year Chelsea Football Club was founded to occupy the club. The construction of the East Stand in 1973 initiated the removal of the race track that was part of the stadium since its opening and the process was completed in the 1990s. It is the eighth largest stadium in the Premier League in 2015 with a capacity of 41,798, but the capacity is expected to be increased to 60,000 in the near future.

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (Exterior) — Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Exterior)

The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is an all-seater soccer stadium in Madrid, Spain. Regarded as one of the world's most famous and most prestigious soccer venues, it was inaugurated in 1947 and is the home of Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. It has a current capacity of 85,454 spectators (as of 2016). It has hosted the European Cup final in 1957, 1969, 1980, and 2010. It was also the venue for the final matches of the 1964 European Nations' Cup and of the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (Interior) — Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Interior)

Original inaugurated and named as Nuevo Estadio Chamartín (New Chamartín Stadium) in relation to Real Madrid's former stadium, it was renamed in 1955 in honor of then club president Santiago Bernabéu de Yeste. The Bernabéu is both the second-largest stadium in Spain and the second-largest home stadium to a top-flight European club. By the time of the story, the stadium maintains the same configuration since 2011. The renovation process has yet to begin in real life despite the approval from the Madrid City Council in October 2016, and is not expected to be complete until 2020.

Allianz Arena

The Allianz Arena is a soccer stadium in Munich, Bavaria, Germany and the home of both Munich clubs, F.C. Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 München. Widely known for its exterior of inflated ETFE plastic panels, it is the first stadium in the world with a full color-changing color exterior. Located at the northern edge of Munich's Schwabing-Freimann borough, it is the third largest arena in Germany with a capacity of 71,437 (from beyond 2013), behind Dortmund's Westfalenstadion and the Olympiastadion in Berlin. During UEFA club matches, the stadium bears the official name of Fußball Arena München (Football Arena Munich) and the maximum allowed capacity is set to 66,000 according to UEFA regulations.

Stade de France

The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, located just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. With an all-seater capacity of 81,338, it is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union for internal competition. The stadium was built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but also served as a main venue for the 2000 and 2006 UEFA Champions League finals, some matches for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, the 2003 World Championships in Athletics, the annual Meeting Areva athletics meet since 1999, and the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Domestically, the Stade de France serves as a secondary home facility for Parisian rugby clubs Stade Français and Racing Métro 92. the stadium also hosts the main French domestic cup finals in both soccer and rugby. The stadium is also used for music concerts and other sporting events. In the story, the UEFA Champions League final is played at the Stade de France. For the event, 24,000 tickets are allocated to supporters from either team while the French Football Federation, the UEFA's requirements and the general public receive the rest of the tickets (respectively 10,000, 13,338 and 10,000).

Other

Tokyo Medical University Hospital

Affiliated with the Tokyo Medical University (東京医科大学 Tōkyō Ika Daigaku) and founded in 1931, this 1,091-bed hospital, featuring a medical staff of 1,800, is located in the business skyscraper district of Nishi-Shinjuku. The most recent renovation expanded the hospital into a 19-story building in 1986. The hospital hosts a total of 15 main departments, including internal medicine, surgery, radiology, emergency care, pharmaceutics, and many more. In the story, Kakeru and Nana are taking part in their clinical clerkship program between the end of the Premier League season and the beginning of training camp during the summer break. In Chapter 1, Kakeru and Nana are assigned in the nephrology department.

Komazawa Olympic Park

This sports complex is located on land in both Meguro and Setagaya, Tokyo. Originally built for the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics, the complex includes athletic, soccer, baseball, swimming, tennis, archery, jogging and cycling facilities. In real life, it is the main sports complex for students from Komazawa University and the Nippon Sports Science University (Setagaya Campus). Except sporting facilities, the complex also includes a children's park, a few playgrounds and large recreational green spaces of high environmental quality.

After finishing their daily obligations during summer weekdays, Kakeru and Nana come to the auxiliary stadium (designated as 補助競技場 on the map) for some soccer training or to the training room for a workout session. That auxiliary training field is located on the northernmost side of the complex while the training room (designated as トレーニングルーム on the map) is located inside Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium, to the East.

Minato Mirai 21

Minato Mirai at dusk — Minato Mirai 21 at dusk

Often known simply as Minato Mirai (みなとみらい), it is the central business district of Yokohama, Japan. Besides business, it is also a major center for shopping and tourism, attracting visitors and businesspersons throughout the Greater Tokyo Area. Minato Mirai 21 is host to several major hotels, office towers including the Yokohama Landmark Tower, the Pacifico Yokohama convention center, the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel, art museums, and numerous cafés and shops in shopping centers and along its pedestrian mall. In Chapter 2, Kakeru and Nana join the rest of the Manchester United team at one of the highly-rated hotels in the district, ahead of their preseason camp.

The Landmark London

The Landmark London is a 5-star hotel located in Marylebone, on the northern side of London, England, in the borough named the City of Westminster.

The Landmark London (Winter Garden) — The Winter Garden

Originally opened in 1899 as the Great Central Hotel, the building was built as one of the Victorian era railway hotels. It has a central clock tower and was built around a large central courtyard. The hotel has 2 main entrances, one in the North and the other to the South. After experiencing a period of decline between the 1920s and 1986, the hotel was bought by a Japanese company and was reopened as a luxury hotel named The Regent in 1993. After being purchased by a Thai company named The Landmark Group in 1995, the hotel has been renamed in its current name. The Landmark London now features 300 rooms and suites, a luxury spa, a gourmet restaurant and a main restaurant named the Winter Garden. The original central courtyard has been replaced by an atrium and the Winter Garden under a glass ceiling. In the story, this hotel is the place where the Manchester United players are lodged ahead of any away match against London-based opposition.

Wythenshawe Hospital

Officially known as the University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM), Wythenshawe Hospital is a major acute teaching hospital that's affiliated with the University of Manchester. Its fields of expertise include cutting edge cardiac services, respiratory medicine, burns and plastic, as well as cancer and breast care services. The hospital occupies a leading position in UK interventional cardiology, cardiac imaging, cardiac electrophysiology and cardiothoracic surgery for over 4 decades. It is also one of 6 heart and lungs transplantation in the UK. In Chapter 9, Kakeru spends a day of his clinical placement at the time in the North West Heart Centre.

Pâtisserie Valérie, Manchester Deansgate

Patisserie Valerie, Deansgate Manchester — Pâtisserie Valérie, Deansgate (Main entrance)

This café is one of 124 cafés (in November 2015) and a part of the Pâtisserie Valérie chain in England. The first shop was opened in 1926 in central London by the Belgian, Madam Valérie. The business grew since the late 1980s, but the growth was mostly noticeable since 2006 as the chain grew from 8 to over 120 shops. The chain specializes in hand-made cakes, and its menu includes continental breakfasts, lunches, teas and coffees. In Chapter 11, the Manchester Deansgate café is one of the settings of the date between Yusuke and Noriko.

National Football Museum

The National Football Museum is a museum at the Urbis building in Manchester city centre founded to preserve, conserve and interpret several important collections of association football memorabilia. The museum was originally located in Deepdale, Preston, Lancashire, but moved to Manchester in 2012. The museum itself is based over 4 floors with various contents and interactive features, and is the largest museum in the world dedicated to the world's most popular sport. The museum appears in Chapter 11.

Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale (sometimes also known as the Arndale Centre or the Arndale, a term that has been widely used to describe a number of shopping centers in the UK) is a large shopping center in Manchester, England. The center is the largest of a chain of Arndale Centres built across the UK in the 1960s and 1970s. It was constructed in phases between 1972 and 1979. The Manchester Arndale was redeveloped after the 1996 Manchester bombing. The center has a retail floorspace of just under 1,500,000 sq ft, making it Europe's third largest city-center shopping mall. It is one of the largest shopping centers in the UK with 41 million visitors annually. It is one of the settings in Chapter 11.

MediaCityUK

MediaCityUK is a 200-acre mixed-use property development site on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal in Salford and Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. The project's principal tenants are media organisations (BBC, ITV Granada, ITV Studios) and the University of Salford. The land occupied by the complex was part of the Port of Manchester and Manchester Docks. MediaCityUK is to be developed in two phases. The 36-acre first phase was completed in 2011, and the second is dependent on its success. Metrolink, Greater Manchester's light-rail system, was extended to MediaCityUK in 2010 and further extensions are planned. In Chapter 11, Yusuke and Noriko take a walk on the banks of the Ship canal and at the heart of MediaCityUK.

Deansgate Locks

The Deansgate Locks development is located under a viaduct that goes by the Rochdale Canal. After the development of the Manchester Metrolink tram system in the 1992, a station was opened on top of the viaduct. Whitworth Street runs parallel to the station on the same viaduct. The viaduct arches beneath the station have been since refurbished and converted into a development that comprises bars, restaurants, and clubs. Not to be mistaken with the Deansgate Area of Manchester (a mile walk away), 'The Locks' are famous for their trendy bars and clubs. The most popular area of Manchester, Castlefield, is located right next to the Locks. It is the main setting in Chapter 17.

Royal Manchester Children's Hospital

The new Royal Manchester Children's Hospital is a children's hospital in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, England. Opened on June 11, 2009 with the purpose of replacing 2 older children's hospitals, the Royal is part of the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation. It offers a range of specialties including oncology, nephrology, hematology, bone marrow transplant, burns, genetics, and orthopaedics. The Royal is the largest, single-site, children's hospital in the UK. In Chapter 23, the Manchester United players visit the Royal's children during the club's annual visit before Christmas.

Christie Hospital

Officially named The Christie NHS Foundation trust since April 2007, this hospital from Withington, Manchester is one of the largest cancer treatment centers in Europe and an international leader in cancer research. Originally built in 1892 and re-named in 1901 in honour of Richard Copley Christie, chairman of the hospital construction project, the Christie was one of the first hospitals specialized in cancer research and treatment. In Chapter 23, the Manchester United players also visit the Christie's children a few days before Christmas.

Altrincham

Altrincham is a market town in Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, south of the River Mersey about 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Manchester city centre. The area is seen as the "Kensington" of Manchester. Historically part of Cheshire, Altrincham is an affluent commuter town, partly because of its transport links. The town has a strong middle class presence; there has been a steady increase in Altrincham's middle classes since the 19th century. In the story, it is the neighborhood where Noriko's parents and grandfather live. In chapter 25, Kakeru, Nana, Yusuke, and Noriko go to Lewis family house for a Christmas dinner.

McGann's Irish Pub

File:McGann's Irish Pub.jpg

McGann's Irish Pub, Boston, USA

The McGann's Irish Pub is a bar that is located near North Station and the TD Garden arena, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The place is known to be a typical Irish pub, where people can enjoy food, beer, and good conversation. The McGann's is also the official home of the Boston-based supporters of Manchester United. Every single match involving United is shown on TV screens in the pub. In Chapter 37, Nana, Taeko, and Mina Nakae go to the McGann's to watch the UEFA Champions League match among local Manchester United supporters.