Bukit Jalil National Stadium

History

The stadium was built on 1 January 1995 to host the 1998 Commonwealth Games. It finished exactly on 1 January 1998. After the 1998 Commonwealth Games in September, the stadium became the home stadium for the Malaysia national football team, replacing the Shah Alam Stadium and the Merdeka Stadium. It also served as the main stadium of the 2001 Southeast Asian Games, 2006 FESPIC Games, 2008 ASEAN University Games and 2017 Southeast Asian Games.

National Stadium's capacity makes it the 21st largest stadium in the world and the 9th largest football stadium in the world. It was built by United Engineers Malaysia, Bhd and designed by Arkitek FAA. It was completed three months ahead of schedule. Designed to host a multitude of events, the National Stadium is the central and most prominent sports venue at the 1.2 km2 National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil.

Malaysia's previous national stadium was the Merdeka Stadium before the National Sports Complex was constructed. Malaysia also uses other stadiums for their football matches such as KLFA Stadium, MBPJ Stadium and the Shah Alam Stadium.

The stadium, along with the National Sports Complex, is currently undergoing a major renovation at a combined cost of RM1.34 billion as a part of KL Sports City project in 2 phases. Project 1 (Phase 1) has been completed ahead and for the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, with a new Populous-designed facade that covers the exterior of the stadium with twisted vertical louvres which are also LED-lighted, as well as recolouring the seats to a yellow-black design and upgraded facilities. After the 2017 ASEAN Para Games, Project 2 (Phase 2) will commence, and will add a retractable roof, retractable seats, comfort ventilation and new sports and lifestyle facilities.

Pitch issues

On 18 February 2020 to prevent another issue regarding the football pitch again in the future, the Malaysian Stadium Corporation (PSM) and Malaysia Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) plan to upgrade the pitch from cow grass to zeon zoysia grass with an estimated cost of RM10 Million. The cost included the use of specialise machine and equipment for the grass. The plan upgrade will start later this year and is expected to be completed within the next three months.

Stadium facilities

The stadium is equipped with the following facilities:

• 105 m x 68 m Zeon Zoysia pitch
• 9 laned 400m synthetic track
• 6m x 60m warming up track
• 1,500 flux floodlights
• Broadcast Studios
• Coloured Video Matrix Scoreboards
• High-tech Cathode Ray Tube Video Screen Board
• Individual "paddles" containing LED pixels at the seats

Entertainment uses

National Stadium has been host to other important events besides football matches. Notable music artists who have performed in the stadium include:

Sporting events

• Athletics – 1998 Commonwealth Games, 2001 Southeast Asian Games, 2001 ASEAN Para Games, 2008 ASEAN University Games, 2009 ASEAN Para Games, 2015 ASEAN Civil Service Games, 2017 Southeast Asian Games, and 2017 ASEAN Para Games.
• Football at the 2001 SEA Games (Malaysia vs Vietnam only)
• Malaysia Cup finals
• Malaysian FA Cup finals
• 2003 FA Premier League Asia Cup
• 2007 AFC Asian Cup
• 2007 Champions Youth Cup
• Manchester United 2001, 2009 Asia Tour
• 2010 AFF Championship, first leg Semifinals and Finals
• Liverpool F.C. Asia Tour 2011
• Chelsea F.C. 2011 summer tour of Asia
• Arsenal F.C. 2011, 2012 Pre-Season Asia Tour
• Franciscan Super Cup Final 2013
• 2014 AFF Championship second leg finals
• Liverpool F.C. Second Asia Tour 2015
• 2018 AFF Championship, first leg semifinals and finals
• 2019 Malaysia FA Cup Final
• 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
• 2022 AFC Cup Final
• 2022 AFF Championship, first leg semifinals
• 2023 Merdeka Tournament
• 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
• 2025 Manchester United Asian Tour (Manchester United vs ASEAN All Stars)

Tournament results

[[Football at the 2001 SEA Games|2001 SEA Games]]

[[ASEAN Championship|AFF/ASEAN Championship]]

[[2007 AFC Asian Cup]]

[[2018 AFC U-16 Championship]]

[[2019 Airmarine Cup]]

Man Utd Tour 2025

Gallery

File:Bjalilinterior.jpg|The stadium in 2007 File:Gate in front of Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil.jpeg|Gate in front of the National Stadium Bukit Jalil National Stadium at night.jpg|The stadium at night File:Malaysia - Bukit Jalil Stadium by Bartosz Sakwerda.jpg|Sky viewpoint to the stadium File:BukitJalilStadium-ASEANChampionship2024.jpg|The inside of Bukit Jalil Stadium during 2024 ASEAN Championship match of Malaysia against Singapore

Notes

References

Venue Thailand Bangkok, Thailand

References

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