Bukit Jalil National Stadium, officially named Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is used mostly for association football matches, hosting the home games of Malaysian club Harimau Malaya, its owner.
Opened on 11 July 1998 with an exhibition match between Malaysia and Brazilian club Santos, it replaced the original Merdeka Stadium, which had 45,000 seats. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 87,411. The stadium was designed by Arkitek FAA (now Populous) and had a construction cost of RM800 million.
A category four stadium by the Asian Football Confederation and one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in Asia (the biggest in Malaysia), Bukit Jalil National Stadium hosted several matches of the 1998 Commonwealth Games, including its opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the 2007 and 2018 finals of the AFC Asian Cup. It was elected the most beautiful stadium of Asia in a 2018 online poll by L'Équipe. By its fifteenth birthday, Bukit Jalil National Stadium had welcomed more than 20 million spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Malaysia is bidding to co-host.
While the previous Bukit Jalil stadium was also officially named 'Bukit Jalil National Stadium', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Bukit Jalil. Bukit Jalil is the name of the neighborhood the stadium was built on, on the border between the parishes of Bandar Tun Razak and Sri Petaling, which itself derives its name from the nearby Gunung Bukit Jalil (Bukit Jalil Mountain). This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction; the people of Kuala Lumpur used to simply call it Bukit Jalil ('Jalil Hill'). Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Bukit Jalil', which is usually anglicized to 'Hill of Jalil'. This translation, however, could be argued to be inaccurate, since Bukit Jalil refers not to 'Hill of Jalil' but to the original address of the stadium: Jalan Bukit Jalil ('Jalil Hill Road').
The Bukit Jalil National Stadium is the main venue for Malaysia's football matches and it's the largest stadium in Southeast Asia. It was officially inaugurated by the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, on 11 July 1998 ahead of the 1998 Commonwealth Games and it has a capacity of 87,411 seats. The stadium is also equipped with a running track for athletics events. It's the ninth largest football stadium in the world and has been the venue for multiple notable events including the 2001 Southeast Asian Games, 2007 AFC Asian Cup, and the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.
Designed by Malaysian architect firm, Arkitek FAA, the Bukit Jalil National Stadium's roof is a combination of metal and PTFE membrane which gives it a unique and distinctive look. The design of the stadium is based on an open-air concept for natural ventilation. The stadium complex also includes a covered stadium, an aquatic center, and a hockey stadium. The Bukit Jalil Sports School, which is a sports school of the Ministry of Education of Malaysia, is also located within the stadium complex.
The Bukit Jalil National Stadium is not only a sports venue, but also a popular location for concerts and other entertainment events. Internationally renowned artists have performed at the stadium, including Bon Jovi, Usher, Mariah Carey, and the Black Eyed Peas. The stadium also hosts annual events such as the National Day Parade and the Malaysia Cup final.
Despite its size and international recognition, the Bukit Jalil National Stadium has faced criticism over the years, mainly due to poor maintenance. Issues such as water leakage, broken seats, and faulty electronic display boards have been reported. However, efforts have been made by the Malaysian government and the stadium management to address these issues and improve the stadium's facilities. The stadium underwent a major renovation in 2017 in preparation for the Southeast Asian Games, which included upgrading the seating, installing a new sound system, and improving the lighting.
A suitable location, with excellent accessibility and ample space for future expansion, was pinpointed at the northeast corner of the Bukit Jalil district. Due to its location on the boundary of the Bukit Jalil and Bandar Tun Razak districts, the new stadium was initially referred to as 'Bukit Jalil Stadium'.
From the outset, it was the club's goal to own both the stadium and the surrounding land, although initially a lease was taken out on the municipal land, with final ownership only transferring in 1969. The blueprints for the sports complex were drawn up as early as the late 1940s by João Simões, a former player for the club.
Under the leadership of the club's president, Joaquim Ferreira Bogalho, members coped with a higher fee to support the construction costs of the new stadium, made substantial donations, and some even went so far as to work on the construction site themselves during holidays or weekends. There was also a 'cement campaign', where large amounts of cement bags were donated to the club.
Construction officially began on 14 June 1953. Less than two years later, at a cost of 12,037,683 escudos, on 1 December 1954 (a national holiday), a crowd of 40,000 filled the stadium for the inaugural match against rivals FC Porto.
'Bukit Jalil National Stadium (1998)': This reference provides detailed historical and architectural information about the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, as well as its significance in Malaysian sports. $url1
'Bukit Jalil National Stadium (The Tiger's Den) – until 2003': This resource offers comprehensive insights into the stadium's transformation and development since its inception until 2003. $url2
'The Tiger's Roar isn't Silent': This book delves into the stadium's role as a symbol of national pride and its impact on Malaysian football culture. $url3
'Malaysia National Sports Complex 100 glorious years - The History 1': This two-volume book provides an in-depth look at the hundred-year history of the Malaysia National Sports Complex, including the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. $url4
Becoming a leading global provider of digital solutions and services for the sports industry, enabling our clients to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
We aspire to be a trusted partner and advisor to our clients, leveraging our expertise and passion for sports to help them succeed in a rapidly changing market.
