Stadium Shah Alam – design description

What does the old Stadium Shah Alam look like?

The stadium in Shah Alam (western suburbs of Kuala Lumpur) was opened in 1994. The facility was modeled after the Poljud Stadium in Split, and its capacity, including standing room, exceeded 80,000 spectators, making it (until the opening of the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in 1998) the largest in the country.

Stadium Shah Alam was the home venue of Selangor FC, one of the most successful and recognizable football clubs in Malaysia. It has hosted Malaysian Cup finals, national team fixtures, matches at the 1997 Youth World Cup (including the final), one game at the 2007 Asian Cup and other events.

Why is there a need to rebuild Stadium Shah Alam?

The stadium had a modern look and was among the most important in the country, but its technical condition was rapidly deteriorating in the second decade of the 21st century. Metal parts were rusting, the roof sheathing was becoming increasingly run-down, and to top it all off, the facility had been hit by flooding several times.

Attempts were made to save the situation by undertaking ad hoc repairs and upgrades. Nevertheless, from 2016 Selangor FC had to temporarily move out to other facilities, and in 2020 the stadium was permanently shut down pending a comprehensive upgrade.

When were the plans to redevelop Stadium Shah Alam conceived?

In July 2022, Selangor state authorities announced a partnership with Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) to redevelop the stadium. The work was to cost RM787 million and was to be fully financed by MRCB. The company was to receive new land for investment in return.

On September 30, 2022, new information on the project was given and the first renderings, prepared in cooperation with renowned architectural company Populous, were published. The plan called for the demolition of the old stadium and the construction of a brand new, football-specific venue in its place. In January 2023, a new concept video was made public and further details of the investment were given.

What are the assumptions of the project to build a new Stadium Shah Alam?

The plan is to demolish the old facility and build a brand new, football-specific stadium in its place. The new arena will be fully roofed and will accommodate 35-45,000 spectators. The middle part of the roof will be covered with transparent ETFE material.

The current stadium is partially dug into the ground, which promotes flooding during floods. This problem is to be solved by raising the pitch to the level of the surrounding ground.

One of the stadium's major amenities is to be the ability to slide the pitch to the outside. Another noteworthy solution will be a cooling system for the stands. The facility is to present a high standard and meet the requirements for hosting major international events.

In addition to the construction of the new stadium, a rearrangement of the entire site and the creation of an integral complex (Kompleks Sukan Shah Alam) is envisaged. A recreational park and facilities for youth sports are to be built around the venue. The existing sports and entertainment hall (Stadium Malawati) near the stadium is to be demolished and replaced with a new one. A hotel and commercial facilities are also to be built next to it.

A new light rail line is under construction to run alongside the stadium. One of the stations is planned right there – it is expected to open in 2025. As part of the project to build the stadium with the entire complex, the infrastructure around the new station is to be expanded, turning it into a transportation hub.

When will the new Stadium Shah Alam be built?

On January 6, 2024, an agreement was signed for the development and the start of preliminary demolition work was announced. Demolition is not expected to be completed until mid-2025, after which actual construction should begin.

The project is to be implemented in three phases. The first phase (2025–2026) is to include a new stadium, the second phase (2027–2028) is to include a new arena, park and youth sports facilities, and the third phase (2028–2029) is to include a transportation hub and hotel. The construction cost of the stadium alone is RM787 million, while the entire complex is expected to cost a total of RM3.28 billion to complete.