A 1/15 scale model was employed to investigate the static behaviors of a novel crescent-shaped cable-truss tensile system used as a canopy structure in Yueqing stadium, Zhejiang Province. The similarity ratios of some physical parameters between experiment model and practical structure were analyzed. The coincidence of similarity ratios is numerically verified by checking the internal forces and displacements of the scaled model. Some typical joint details of the experiment model, measurement methods of cable tension and nodal displacement, as well as cable prestretching and load applying methods were introduced. The properties of pretension distribution in initial configuration were investigated for the model structure after erection by stretching the upper and lower radial cables and also controlling their tension forces. Loading tests were further carried out for four load cases, including self-weight, dead load, half-span live load and whole-span live load. The corresponding internal forces of radial cables and ring cables, joint displacements of ring cables were measured. The testing results reveal that the structural design pretension can be established effectively by the method of controlling the tension forces of the upper and lower radial cables. The relative deviation of measured tension forces of ring cables can be controlled within 3.3% compared with the theoretical values. The responses of internal force and displacement of this crescent-shaped cable-truss structural model under four load cases also have well coincidence with the design values, and reflect the reliability of practical structure in stiffness and load-bearing capacity under the design pretension.