TSL in Culture On July 22, 2025, 8:32 am

Demolished Shah Alam Stadium To Be Rebuilt As A World-Class Venue By 2029, Here’s Everything We Know About It

Shah Alam Stadium to be rebuilt as Shah Alam Sports Complex

Most Klang Valley folks will be familiar with Shah Alam Stadium. It was the venue for notable events in the country, including the Malaysia Cup Final in 1994 and Bon Jovi’s first-ever concert here in 1995. Its sheer size made it hard to miss in Shah Alam, too. The stadium had a capacity of 80,372, making it one of the largest stadiums in the world.

However, years of wear and tear have culminated in the demolition of the stadium. It’s now set to be transformed into the state-of-the-art Shah Alam Sports Complex (SASC), or Kompleks Sukan Shah Alam (KSSA).

Here’s everything that we know about the revived landmark in Shah Alam.

The history of Shah Alam Stadium

Shah Alam Stadium was built for the 1998 Commonwealth Games, with construction beginning in 1990 at the cost of RM469 million. The stadium was modeled after Croatia’s Poljud Stadium, with the longest free-standing arc in the world. It was also the largest stadium in Malaysia, before Bukit Jalil National Stadium took over with a capacity of 85,500.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Shah Alam Stadium officially opened on 16th July 1994, debuting with a series of friendly football matches. For over a quarter-century, it stood as the home for the Selangor Football Club, or Red Giants, and the venue for sporting and athletic events in the country.

However, between 2011 and its impending demolition, the stadium was closed on several occasions for upgrading works. Millions of ringgits were spent to upgrade and refresh the stadium’s facilities, including works on its roof, the replacement of vandalised seats, and the repair of damaged grass on parts of the field.

Image credit: Utusan / Afiq Razali

These regular repairs couldn’t keep up, prompting the state government to shift from temporary fixes to a complete overhaul. Demolition of the stadium began in early 2024 to clear the way for the new complex, with the next-door Malawati Stadium also cleared as part of the redevelopment project.

Image credit: Bernama

July 2022 marked the beginning of a partnership between Selangor state and Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) to fund and manage the redevelopment. An investment of around RM3.28 billion reflects the ambitious scale of the KSSA project.

The redevelopment of Shah Alam Stadium

The redevelopment plan for Shah Alam Stadium, set in motion in early 2024, outlines a phased strategy.

By mid-2025, the entire legacy stadium will be demolished, paving the way for an upgraded facility on a 188-acre site. On 2nd July 2025, it was reported that the stadium had been completely cleared in June the same year, with construction for the new stadium set to kick off in the first quarter of 2027.

Image credit: Populous

The initial phase, expected to be completed in 2029, will see the construction of a new stadium, boasting a seating capacity of 35,000 to 45,000. It is being designed by Populous, which is retaining the former stadium’s charms, mainly its iconic curved roof and original silhouette.

The stadium will be rebuilt as a world-class football venue that meets FIFA standards for international football matches, and will be fully covered to shelter football fans from the elements. It’ll also feature a sliding pitch, so the stadium will be able to host various sporting events and concerts in the future.

Image credit: Populous

One of the main highlights of the redevelopment: The stadium will be easily accessible on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) line. Its redevelopment is coordinated with the LRT3 construction project, which is expected to be operational by September 2025.

Image credit: Populous

More than just a stadium

Subsequent phases in the plans to develop Shah Alam Stadium will see additional sports arenas, youth sports facilities, lush parks, and community spaces incorporated into KSSA. Construction for these elements is expected to begin in 2027 and conclude in 2029.

Image credit: Populous

Around 60% of the massive parcel of land is reserved for sporting facilities like badminton and rugby. It’ll also have a fully automated underground flood mitigation system, along with a 4ha retention pond, to address recurring flood issues faced by Shah Alam residents.

It’ll become the largest public space and meeting point in Selangor when it opens, with a hotel also expected to open at KSSA in its third phase and construction planned for 2028-2030.

A new Shah Alam Sports Complex is ahead for Malaysians

With many of us looking forward to football game nights and concerts in the country, the revival of Shah Alam Stadium into a world-class facility comes as an exciting project for residents of Selangor and the surrounding areas. We can look forward to another venue for upcoming events, with added perks like easy accessibility by public transport.