Construction begins on new 60,000-seat football stadium in Phnom Penh

Construction has commenced on Cambodia’s new US$157 million, 60,000-seat football stadium this week, which is being funded by the Chinese Government.

Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, said at Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony that China’s support for the stadium - to be used as a host venue for the 2023 South East Asian Games - is further evidence of the two countries’ close cooperation.

The Chinese Government has provided millions of dollars in aid and investment for Cambodia over the past decade, and in return has secured its political support in international forums.

The new stadium, which is located 10 kilometres north of Phnom Penh, will be the country’s second largest stadium after the new US$200 million National Stadium that is being built as the centrepiece of the new Morodok Techo National Sport Complex in Phnom Penh, which will seat 70,000 and is scheduled for completion in 2019.

The greater stadium area, covering 16 hectares, will be used for football, rugby and athletics, and is part of a sports complex encompassing 85 hectares.

Cambodia joined the SEA Games as a participating country in 1961, with the 2023 edition mark the first time in history that the country has hosted the event.

Images: Design concept image of the new 60,000-seat stadium (top) and an artist’s rendering of the planned main stadium at the Morodok Techo National Sport Complex (below). 

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