Morodok Techo National Stadium – stadium description

Cambodia's new national stadium is located on the northern outskirts of the country's capital. Until recently, these areas were typically agricultural, but nowadays this is the direction in which the metropolis is developing and new housing estates are being built.

The construction of the venue was financed entirely by the Chinese government that paid over $150 million in costs. Initially, the Cambodian authorities also had Thai and Cambodian proposals on the table, but due to the long-standing friendship between Cambodia and China, the choice fell on China State Construction Engineering Corporation, which became the general contractor.

The construction was inaugurated with the cornerstone laying ceremony on April 4, 2017, but works did not start until 4 months later. Earlier, in 2013, the construction of other arenas near the stadium began, including a swimming pool with 6,000 seats and a sports hall that can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. The entire complex is now called Morodok Techo National Sports Complex. The stadium's completion was announced on August 16, 2021, and on December 18, Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, presided over the official opening ceremony.

The design of the arena was inspired by the motif of a sailing ship, which is a symbolic reference to the voyages of the Chinese to Cambodia in ancient times using precisely this type of boat. The total built-up area is as much as 82,400 square metres, of which the stadium itself, inscribed in a circular plan, covers more than 16 hectares. The auditorium consists of three-tier stands, which go into two storeys behind the goals due to the presence of huge pylons resembling the prow of a boat.

The highest point of the stadium (99 metres) is marked by the aforementioned pylons supporting the roof. They are located on the northern and southern sides of the facility. The pylons are said to represent the "sampeah" gesture, which is used in Cambodia as a greeting or a form of showing respect. Other elements of the structure are also full of symbolism. The facility is surrounded by an Angkor-style moat and the decorations refer to the Rumduol flower, which is the national flower of Cambodia.

Morodok Techo National Stadium was created to host the biggest sporting events on the Asian continent. The stadium will be the venue for the Southeast Asian Games and ASEAN Para Games in 2023. In 2029, the Asian Youth Games will also be held there.