Bukit Jalil National Stadium

The National Stadium (Malay: Stadium Kebangsaan) is in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With a capacity of 87,411,^[4] it is the largest in Southeast Asia, the fourth largest in Asia, and the fifteenth largest stadium in the world.^[5]

National Stadium

Stadium Kebangsaan
Interior of the stadium in 2018
Location	Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Public transit	SP17  Bukit Jalil LRT station
Owner	Malaysian Government
Operator	KL Sports City
Capacity	100,000 (1998-2017) 87,411 (2017-now) ^[3]
Record attendance	98,543 (Malaysia vs Indonesia, 26 December 2010)
Field size	105 by 68 m (344 by 223 ft)
Surface	Zeon Zoysia grass Track
Scoreboard	LED Panel by Samsung^[1]
Construction
Built	1 January 1995; 28 years ago (1995-01-01)
Opened	11 July 1998; 25 years ago (1998-07-11)
Renovated	1998, 2015–2017
Reopened	July 2017; 6 years ago (2017-07)
Construction cost	RM 1 Billion^[2]
Architect	Arkitek FAA Weidleplan Consulting Gmbh Schlaich Bergermann Partner Populous in association with RSP KL (2017 renovation)
Main contractors	UEM Group Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (2017 renovation)
Tenants
Malaysia national football team (1998–present) Malaysia Valke (2020)

It was officially inaugurated by then Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad on 11 July 1998 ahead of the 1998 Commonwealth Games and staged its opening ceremony.^[4][6] Since then, it has also become the main venue for other international multi-sport events such as the 2001 Southeast Asian Games and the 2017 Southeast Asian Games,^[7] and nowadays host most Malaysian international football matches, national level football competition finals such as the Malaysia FA Cup, Malaysia Cup, athletic events and music concerts.

It was built alongside other sport venues in the National Sports Complex by United Engineers Malaysia, and designed by Arkitek FAA, Weidleplan Consulting GMBH and Schlaich Bergermann Partner. A membrane structure is used for the roof, and the most of the materials used were reinforced concrete.^[8] Prior to this stadium, Stadium Merdeka served as the national stadium of Malaysia.

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

The stadium, along with the National Sports Complex, is currently undergoing a major renovation at a combined cost of RM1.34 billion^[9] 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,^[10] 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.^[11]

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.^[12]

Stadium facilities

The stadium is equipped with the following facilities:^{[13][non-primary source needed]}

• 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:

• Jacky Cheung Live In Malaysia Concert "友个人演唱會" 大马站，23 April 1999.
• Sammi Cheng "Shocking color" World Tour Concert 大马站, 16 March 2002.
• Jacky Cheung "Music Odyssey" World Tour Concert "音乐之旅演唱會" 大马站, 23 March 2002.
• S.H.E 奇幻樂園吉隆坡演唱會 (Fantasy Land World Tour), 6 November 2004.
• Siti Nurhaliza "Fantasia Tour Finale Live In Bukit Jalil" , 21 August 2004
• Fish Leong "Love Parade 爱的大游行" Live in Malaysia, 1 October 2005.
• David Tao 就是愛你音樂驚奇之旅 (Love Can) World Tour in Malaysia 2006, 28 October 2006.
• Rain Rain's Coming World Tour, 27 January 2007.
• The Corrs Talk on Corners World Tour and In Blue.
• A-Mei Star Tour Concert.
• Fish Leong "Today is our Valentine's Day 今天情人节" Live in Malaysia, 13 June 2009.
• Wang Lee Hom Music Man Tour 2009.
• Good Charlotte (MTV Event).
• S.H.E 愛而為一馬來西亞演唱會 (S.H.E is the One World Tour), 6 March 2010.
• Kelly Clarkson All I Ever Wanted Tour, April 2010.
• Usher OMG Tour, 7 July 2010.
• Paramore Brand New Eyes World Tour, 19 October 2010.
• G-Dragon 1st World Tour: One Of A Kind, 22 June 2013.
• Linkin Park Living Things World Tour, 19 August 2013.
• Ed Sheeran ÷ Tour, 13 April 2019.
• JJ Lin Sanctuary 2.0, 7 December 2019.
• Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever, The World Tour, 18 August 2022.
• JJ Lin “JJ20” World Tour 2022, 18 December 2022.
• Jay Chou "Carnival World Tour", 15 January 2023.
• Mayday "Fly to 2023 World Tour", 11 February 2023.
• Blackpink "2nd World Tour [BORN PINK] In Asia", 4 March 2023.
• Muse "Will of the People World Tour", 29 July 2023.
• Coldplay "Music of the Spheres World Tour", 22 November 2023.
• Ed Sheeran “+–=÷× Tour”, 24 February 2024.

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.
• 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 Finals
• Liverpool F.C. Asia Tour 2011
• Chelsea F.C. 2011 summer tour of Asia^[14]
• Arsenal F.C. 2011, 2012 Pre-Season Asia Tour^[15]
• Franciscan Super Cup Final 2013
• 2014 AFF Championship second leg Finals
• Liverpool F.C. 2nd Asia Tour 2015
• 2018 AFF Championship, first leg Finals
• 2019 Malaysia FA Cup Final
• 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
• 2022 AFC Cup Final
• 2023 Merdeka Tournament
• 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Tournament results

2004 AFF Championship

Date	Time (UTC+08)	Team #1	Res.	Team #2	Round	Attendance
8 December 2004	18:00	Philippines	0–1	Myanmar	Group Stage	N/A
8 December 2004	20:45	Malaysia	5–0	Timor-Leste	Group Stage	N/A
10 December 2004	18:00	Thailand	1–1	Myanmar	Group Stage	N/A
10 December 2004	20:45	Malaysia	4–1	Philippines	Group Stage	N/A
12 December 2004	18:00	Timor-Leste	0–8	Thailand	Group Stage	N/A
12 December 2004	20:45	Malaysia	0–1	Myanmar	Group Stage	N/A
14 December 2004	18:00	Philippines	2–1	Timor-Leste	Group Stage	N/A
14 December 2004	20:45	Malaysia	2–1	Thailand	Group Stage	N/A
16 December 2004	18:00	Myanmar	3–1	Timor-Leste	Group Stage	N/A
3 January 2005	20:00	Malaysia	1–4	Indonesia	Semifinals second leg	N/A

2007 AFC Asian Cup

Date	Time (UTC+08)	Team #1	Res.	Team #2	Round	Attendance
10 July 2007	20:30	Malaysia	1–5	China	Group C	21,155
11 July 2007	18:15	Iran	2–1	Uzbekistan	Group C	1,863
14 July 2007	18:15	Uzbekistan	5–0	Malaysia	Group C	7,137
15 July 2007	18:15	China	2–2	Iran	Group C	5,938
18 July 2007	20:30	Malaysia	0–2	Iran	Group C	4,520
22 July 2007	18:15	Iran	0–0 (a.e.t.) (2–4 pen.)	South Korea	Quarter-finals	8,629
25 July 2007	18:15	Iraq	0–0 (a.e.t.) (4–3 pen.)	South Korea	Semi-finals	12,500

2010 AFF Championship

Date	Time (UTC+08)	Team #1	Res.	Team #2	Round	Attendance
15 December 2010	20:00	Malaysia	2–0	Vietnam	Semifinals first leg	45,000
26 December 2010	20:00	Malaysia	3–0	Indonesia	Finals first leg	98,543

2012 AFF Championship

Date	Time (UTC+08)	Team #1	Res.	Team #2	Round	Attendance
25 November 2012	18:00	Indonesia	2–2	Laos	Group Stage	N/A
25 November 2012	20:45	Malaysia	0–3	Singapore	Group Stage	N/A
28 November 2012	18:00	Indonesia	1–0	Singapore	Group Stage	N/A
28 November 2012	20:45	Laos	1–4	Malaysia	Group Stage	N/A
1 December 2012	20:45	Malaysia	2–0	Indonesia	Group Stage	N/A
9 December 2012	20:00	Malaysia	1–1	Thailand	Semifinals first leg	N/A

2018 AFC U-16 Championship

Date	Time (UTC+08)	Team #1	Res.	Team #2	Round	Attendance
20 September 2018	16:30	Malaysia	6–2	Tajikistan	Group Stage	723
21 September 2018	16:30	Iran	0–2	Indonesia	Group Stage	3,431
23 September 2018	16:30	Thailand	4–2	Malaysia	Group Stage	8,596
24 September 2018	16:30	India	0–0	Iran	Group Stage	186
24 September 2018	20:45	Indonesia	1–1	Vietnam	Group Stage	11,201
27 September 2018	11:00^[note 1]	Malaysia	0–2	Japan	Group Stage	8,378
27 September 2018	16:30	Yemen	5–1	Jordan	Group Stage	531
27 September 2018	20:45	India	0–0	Indonesia	Group Stage	11,388
30 September 2018	16:30	Japan	2–1	Oman	Quarter-finals	267
1 October 2018	16:30	Indonesia	2–3	Australia	Quarter-finals	13,743
4 October 2018	16:30	Japan	3–1	Australia	Semi-finals	224
7 October 2018	20:45	Japan	1–0	Tajikistan	Final	352

2018 AFF Championship

Date	Time (UTC+08)	Team #1	Res.	Team #2	Round	Attendance
12 November 2018	20:45	Malaysia	3–1	Laos	Group Stage	12,127
24 November 2018	20:30	Malaysia	3–0	Myanmar	Group Stage	83,777
1 December 2018	20:45	Malaysia	0–0	Thailand	Semifinals first leg	87,545
11 December 2018	20:45	Malaysia	2–2	Vietnam	Finals first leg	88,482

2019 Airmarine Cup

Date	Time (UTC+08)	Team #1	Res.	Team #2	Round	Attendance
20 March 2019	16:30	Oman	5–0	Afghanistan	Semi-finals	N/A
20 March 2019	20:45	Malaysia	0–1	Singapore	Semi-finals	N/A
23 March 2019	16:30	Afghanistan	1–2	Malaysia	Third-place playoff	N/A
23 March 2019	20:45	Oman	1–1 (5–4 pen.)	Singapore	Final	N/A

2022 AFF Championship

Date	Time (UTC+08)	Team #1	Res.	Team #2	Round	Attendance
24 December 2022	20:30	Malaysia	5–0	Laos	Group Stage	29,961
3 January 2023	20:30	Malaysia	4–1	Singapore	Group Stage	65,147
7 January 2023	20:30	Malaysia	1–0	Thailand	Semi-final 1st leg	62,989

Gallery

•  

  The stadium in 2007.

•  

  Gate in front of the National Stadium

See also

• List of stadiums
• List of stadiums in Malaysia
• List of Asian stadiums by capacity
• List of stadiums by capacity
• List of Southeast Asia stadiums by capacity
• Football Association of Malaysia
• List of association football stadiums by capacity

Notes

1. Due to weather conditions (heavy rainfall and lightning), both Matchday 3 matches in Group A were postponed from 26 September, 16:30 (and initially pushed to 17:30) to 27 September, 11:00.^[16]

References

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stadium Nasional.

1. "Samsung.com – National Stadium, KL Sports City".
2. "Bukit Jalil National Stadium – Malaysia | Football Tripper". Football Tripper. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
3. "'This is a football stadium, not a concert stadium': Sports fans in Malaysia protest upcoming Jay Chou concert". AsiaOne. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
4. . kiat. Archived from the original on 16 November 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
5. "The Largest Football (Soccer) Stadiums In The World". WorldAtlas. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
6. . Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
7. . Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
8. "National Stadium, Bukit Jalil (Kuala Lumpur, 1997) | Structurae". Structurae. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
9. "MRCB's subsidiary hands over Project 1 of KL Sports City - Business News | The Star Online". thestar Malaysia. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
10. "KL Sports City Rejuvenated And Ready To Host The South East Asian Games | POPULOUS". POPULOUS. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
11. "Supplemental pact for 2nd phase of KL Sports City project delayed - Business News | The Star Online". thestar Malaysia. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
12. "Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil bakal dinaik taraf dengan padang baharu | Stadium Astro". stadiumastro. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
13. . Archived from the original on 3 December 2014.
14. Return Journey to Kuala Lumpur Retrieved at 8 June 2014
15. "Arsenal to undertake pre-season tour of Malaysia and China this July". guardian.co.uk. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
16. "Group A Matchday Three matches cancelled, rescheduled to Thursday". AFC. 26 September 2018.

Preceded by Centennial Stadium   Victoria, Canada	Host of the Commonwealth Games 1998	Succeeded by City of Manchester Stadium   Manchester, United Kingdom
Preceded by None	Premier League Asia Trophy Venue 2003	Succeeded by Rajamangala Stadium   Bangkok, Thailand

3°3′17″N 101°41′28″E / 3.05472°N 101.69111°E / 3.05472; 101.69111