At the centre of the upcoming SEA Games to be held in Cambodia is our brand spanking new Morodok Techo National Stadium. But what is the story with the place, what will be held here and what does the future hold? Here’s all you need to know.
To read about stadiums of Cambodia click here.
The Morodok Techo National Stadium (Khmer: កីឡដ្ឋានជាតិមរតកតេជោ) is a Chinese-built stadium that cost an estimated $160 million. The stadium can host track and field events as well as football. The stadium looks great but could use some concession stands, agin something that might change as the games start.
There’s street food outside, but nothing inside. The impressive stadium can pack in up to 88,000 people, but it loses points due to its location and overall vibe.
Renoir has it the stadium will be privatized after the games, meaning potential new tenant from the second tier. Yep you read it here first.
How do you get to the Morodok Techo National Stadium?
It’s a $10 roundtrip in a Tuk-Tuk, which last year at least were not supported. This is assuming that you are coming from the centre of Phnom Penh. The stadium lies on the outskirts of the city and is directly opposite the Win-Win monument.
There’s ample parking here and enough hawkers to give the area as a whole a fairly decent atmosphere.
Traffic can be a thing, so be very prepared on the opening ceremony.
What has been hosted here so far?
The first main tournament to held here was the AFF Under Championship, where Cambodia went out in the first round to Timor-Leste and overall it was considered quite successful.
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The main problem with it though was quite simply the seize of the venue. When Cambodia were playing perhaps 20,000 people would come, with far less for other matches.
This makes the choice to play most football matches at 2023 Cambodia at the revamped Olympic Stadium s smart one.
What can I see at the Morodok Techo National Stadium
The main events here are expected to be opening and closing ceremonies of the tournament, with the opening set to be over-subscribed and indeed epic.
Some major finals, as well as athletics will also be held here, but ironically its size has proved to an extent its undoing.
Serious fans though should visit the Morodok Techo National Stadium at least once if nothing than for that big stadium feel.
And the future of the Morodok Techo National Stadium?
So, what will happen to the stadium after the games? With the big question being if it will be a path to the future, or a while elephant.
Last year Khmer Times reported that the government were planning to utilize it for tourism, but these plans have gone a little quiet.
As far awe know there are no plans to use it by the Football Federation of Cambodia, with cup finals and national games being held at the same, tried, tested and nearer venues.
It could of course be kept for stellar events, such as the hosting of another tournament, perhaps even the World Cup, o Olympics – but alas that is unlikely to happen soon.
So, that leads us to the rumor mill! BPVE have heard that the stadium may well be put up for sale after the games, either in full, or to lease. We have heard of potential buyers that want to put a football team in here, but also really tap into the other potential of the stadium, concerts.
Unlike other countries Cambodia rarely sees arena style concerts, but now we have the arena, why not? And it is this that well be the true legacy of the Morodok Techo National Stadium.
This article is adapted from BPVE, (https://bpve.com/) reported and edited from the great team – Cambodia Sports Review. (https://www.cambodiasportsreview.com/)
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