Bukit Jalil National Stadium

History

Bukit Jalil National Stadium, officially opened on July 11, 1998, in Bukit Jalil (Kuala Lumpur), was built for the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Designed by Arkitek FAA, Weidleplan, and Schlaich Bergermann, and constructed in just four years, it’s Malaysia’s flagship venue. It has since hosted major sporting events including the Southeast Asian Games (2001, 2017), AFC Asian Cup (2007), and numerous international football and athletics competitions.

Description

With a current capacity of approximately 87,411 seats, it is the largest stadium in Southeast Asia and among the top 15 globally. The elliptical bowl spans 83,700 m² and includes a FIFA-standard pitch (105×68 m) surrounded by a nine-lane 400 m athletic track. Renovated between 2015–2017, it now uses Zeon Zoysia grass, Samsung LED screens, and features a modern membrane roof.

Architectural Features

The stadium’s stand is covered by a translucent polyurethane roof and features iconic twisted vertical façade louvres. A dramatic arch entrance and traditional Malay dagger (‘kris’) motifs reflect local heritage. It also houses corporate suites, royal lounges, broadcast studios, and upgraded floodlighting (~1,500 lux), meeting international broadcast standards.

What is KL Sports City?

Bukit Jalil National Stadium is the centerpiece of KL Sports City, Malaysia’s national sports complex. The venue is managed by the Malaysian government and KL Sports City, and is part of a larger renovation that modernized the complex ahead of the 2017 SEA Games.

Records

The stadium’s attendance peak was reportedly over 98,543 during Malaysia vs Indonesia in December 2010. It also drew 87,545 fans for the 2018 AFF Championship semifinal. Since reopening, it regularly hosts over 2 million spectators yearly, making it among the world’s top-attended stadiums.