China's National Stadium has opened for hire and has designed a VIP sightseeing route in the latest attempts to earn more revenue from the iconic landmark.

A total of nine venues at the stadium, better known as the Bird's Nest, will be leased out. They include the golden lobby, the newsroom, conference room and VIP room on the third floor, said Shi Lei, press officer with the National Stadium Co Ltd.

So far, some multinational companies have already contacted the stadium to stage company sports and forums, she said.

"Apart from sports events, it is also a perfect venue for activities such as press conferences, exhibitions and forums etc," she added.

In addition, the stadium has created a VIP sightseeing trail in order to attract more visitors.

At present, people can only visit the first and fifth floor.

The VIP route adds the golden lobby in the basement, the rostrum on the second floor and VIP rooms to the package.

Up to now, tourism has been the biggest source of income for the main stadium for the Beijing Olympic Games. The admission fee is 50 yuan per person.

However, the story says the annual operating cost of the iconic landmark is 150 million yuan.

Lin Xianpeng, professor at the School of Management of Beijing Sport University, said performances and tourism cannot sustain the stadium and said it is common practice throughout the world to sell the naming rights of sporting venues.

"No matter if it's the National Stadium or the National Aquatic Center, if they don't sell the naming rights, it will be hard to make ends meet," he said.

Shi told METRO, the stadium is proactively getting in touch with companies that have expressed an interest in buying the naming rights.

The stadium is diversifying its market in an attempt to increase its revenue.

The Bird's Nest Restaurant is under renovation and will reopen to the public in early July. Cuisine with Olympic characteristics will be served at the 4,500 sq m restaurant.

A friendship football match between Beijing Guoan Football Club and Birmingham City Football Club will kick off at the stadium on July 21.

A match between Beijing Guoan Football Club and Barcelona has also been arranged and the two teams will play at the stadium on Aug 8.

Lionel Messi is expected to take part.