Sarawak Stadium Set for Major Upgrade — Poised to Reopen in 1.5 Years
Sarawak is gearing up for a major international event — the 2027 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games — and one of the biggest highlights is the large-scale upgrading of Sarawak Stadium.
Once completed, the stadium will unveil a brand-new design, but with a unique Sarawak identity. It will stand as the centrepiece for major future sporting events and become Kuching’s next sports landmark.
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📌 Sarawak Stadium — Background Overview
• Opened: 1997 (for SUKMA Games)
• Location: Sports Village, Petra Jaya, Kuching
• Capacity: Approx. 40,000 seats
• Past events: SUKMA Games, Sarawak football matches, domestic & international sports competitions
• Nearby: Indoor stadium, squash centre, shooting range, lawn bowl centre, aquatic centre, etc.
• Home ground: Kuching City FC (KUFC)
It is the largest sports facility in Sarawak and a symbol of the state’s sporting growth.
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🏟️ Sarawak Stadium & Sports Facilities Upgrade — Toward a Future “Sports City”
The Sarawak government has approved RM252 million to upgrade 11 key sports facilities statewide ahead of the 2027 SEA Games, including the Sarawak Stadium and the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre.
This allocation forms part of the ministry’s portfolio under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which currently includes 38 approved initiatives with a total ceiling of RM397.73 million.
These comprise:
• 14 continuation projects from the 12MP
• 13 continuation projects under Projek Rakyat
• 11 new SEA Games facility upgrades
🔧 Sarawak Stadium — Key Upgrades (to be completed in 1.5 years)
• Seat repairs & refurbishment
• Infrastructure and facility enhancement
• New ticketing entrance
• Outdoor digital display screens
• New LED lighting system
• Full façade redesign
Allocated funding: RM7.05 million
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🏅 11 SEA Games Upgrading Projects — Full List
The newly approved SEA Games-related projects include:
1. Sarawak Stadium
2. Stadium Perpaduan (Indoor Stadium)
3. Sarawak Shooting Range
4. Sarawak Squash Centre
5. Cricket and Rugby Ground
6. Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre
7. Sarawak Archery Range
8. Lawn Bowl Arena
9. Sarawak Lawn Tennis Court
10. Sarawak Pétanque Centre
11. Wushu Training Centre
These facilities will serve as official venues for the 2027 SEA Games.
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🎮 Other Key Facility Upgrades
Over the past five years, the ministry has completed 38 projects under the 12MP worth RM116.95 million, including:
• Pakan Sports Complex (RM1 million)
• Bintangor Sports Complex (RM2.5 million)
• Kapit Swimming Pool (RM500,000)
Additionally, 13 Projek Rakyat upgrades totalling RM88.97 million were completed, including:
• Bau Sports Arena (RM10 million)
• Stadium Terbuka Song (RM5 million)
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🏅 2027 SEA Games — Sarawak to Host 17 Events
Malaysia will host the 2027 SEA Games through a multi-state format involving Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor.
Sarawak will:
• Host 17 sporting events (the most among all states)
• Host the Opening Ceremony at Sarawak Stadium
• Showcase Sarawak’s culture and unity
• Welcome thousands of athletes, officials, media and spectators
The Federal Government has allocated RM350 million for promotion, equipment, coordination and event operations.
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📈 Long-Term Impact on Sports & Youth Development
Under the 13MP, Sarawak is strengthening community sports infrastructure, youth development pipelines, and building world-standard sports facilities to support long-term growth.
These efforts aim to:
1. Develop elite athletes
2. Strengthen Sarawak’s sports ecosystem
3. Provide more training and activity venues for youth
4. Boost sports tourism
5. Stimulate local economic development
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🏟️ Sarawak Stadium — Looking Ahead
When the newly upgraded Sarawak Stadium finally opens, it is expected to become:
• A symbol of Sarawak’s sporting aspirations
• An international-standard venue
• A new driver for sports tourism
• A stage for Sarawakian athletes to shine
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Do you think the upgraded Sarawak Stadium will become one of the most iconic venues of the 2027 SEA Games?
