Football stadiums the world over are proving to be popular tourist destinations.
From the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro to the Bird's Nest in Beijing, tourists flock to stadiums to catch a glimpse of a historical building, experience the sophistication of a technologically-advanced megastructure or simply to visit the home of their favourite club.
Football stadiums are among the key places I visit on my travels because each is unique in their own way.
The Sultan Ibrahim Stadium would surely be on my must-see list if I didn’t already have the opportunity to admire its structural beauty on a daily basis from the JDT Headquarters.
Johor Darul Ta'zim FC's pride and joy is more than just a state landmark, it is a unique destination for football enthusiasts in Southeast Asia.
Described as state-of-the-art by the club and observers alike, the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium is one of Asia’s leading stadiums and holds the distinction of being the most advanced football stadium in Southeast Asia.
Owned by Johor Darul Ta'zim FC, this Jewel of the South sits on 140,000 square meters of land and houses the JDT Headquarters.
Situated in Johor's Iskandar Puteri district, the stadium was completed in 2020 after commencing construction in 2016. It boasts a seating capacity of over 35,000, inclusive of eight elegant, specially-themed corporate boxes to suit various hospitality needs.
The Sultan Ibrahim Stadium is the first football-only stadium with natural grass in Malaysia. The pitch is laid with tried-and-tested Zeon Zoysia grass and has a multi-layered drainage system that —even in the heaviest of downpours — prevents waterlogging.
Equipped with modern LED floodlights as well as multi-rhythm and multi-coloured facade lights, the home of the Southern Tigers proves to be an enhanced visual experience that will leave visitors completely mesmerised.
With matchdays like no other in the region, there are plenty of other reasons to visit the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on non-matchdays.
Like most stadiums in Europe, a stadium tour for visitors is in the pipeline; one that will enable fans and tourists to view parts of the stadium that are generally not accessible on matchdays.
Apart from the chance to view its majestic structure, the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium was built with the intention of being a one-stop destination for diners and shoppers.
The Southern Tigers are expected to announce more merchants at the stadium following recent announcements by SWAG Electric Vehicle and Subway with more future vendors in the form of F&B stores and shopping outlets.
As the country went into lockdown barely a month after its opening ceremony, Covid-19 has set the stadium back in terms of visitors but this landmark is expected to attract all walks of life once the pandemic comes to an end. — The Vibes, 3 December, 2020
Former journalist Vijhay is Head of Content at Johor Darul Ta'zim FC following stints with Malay Mail, Sports247.my, FourFourTwo Malaysia and FOX Malaysia. You may have also heard him on BFM Football or watched him on Media Prima's football programmes. Vijhay can be reached at @vijhayvick on Twitter.
