Historic Malaysian stadium demolished to build modern arena

The structure had capacity for 80,000 fans, one of the largest capacities in the world; the new project is expected to be delivered by the end of 2026

A part of Asian football history began to fall into ruins this week. The Shah Alam stadium, which hosted national team matches for years, had part of its construction demolished for modernization. The venue could hold up to 80,000 people, one of the largest capacities in the world, and will make way for a new arena, albeit with a smaller audience. Check out the video above.

The video that went viral on social media shows the demolition of the roof, an iconic part of the stadium. The process that began in July is being done in parts, and the remaining stages of the project will take place until May of next year. The expectation is that the new construction will be ready in December 2026.

The renovation proposal aims to revamp the entire stadium area, with a sports complex, architecture that emphasizes curves, surrounding trees and parks. The new arena will continue to be the home of the Malaysian national team and also of Selangor FC, the country’s first division club.

In addition to the aesthetic aspect, the renovation promises to provide a solution to long-standing flooding problems, with a higher pitch. The new pitch will be on a platform with its own irrigation system, which would also bring fans closer together. The modernization also aims to obtain FIFA certification so that the venue can become a stadium that hosts international tournaments.