Construction begins on Thống Nhất Stadium renovation, aiming for the 2026 National Sports Games

Thống Nhất Stadium, one of the longstanding symbols of sports in Ho Chi Minh City, has commenced a crucial renovation and refurbishment phase to serve the 2026 National Sports Games. After many years of operation with clear signs of deterioration, this facility is expected to "get a new look," better meeting the requirements for hosting major sporting events.

The renovation and upgrade project of Thống Nhất Stadiumwas officially launched today, March 24, with a total investment of nearly 320 billion VND from the state budget.

This isa key componentin the plan for developing sports in Ho Chi Minh City until 2035. The goal is not merely repair but a comprehensive upgrade of infrastructure, bringing the stadium up to modern competition standards.

According to the plan, multiple components will be implemented simultaneously, notably the construction of new stands B, C1, and D1, along with the renovation of existing stands. Upon completion, the stadium's capacity will reach nearly 18,000 seats with a modern seating system.

Additionally, the grass pitch and the athletics track will be replaced according to international standards, along with upgrades to the lighting, drainage, and technical systems.

Initially, some critical tasks will be prioritized for completion by the end of 2026 to timely serve the National Sports Games. This is seen as an important test for the stadium's organizational and operational capacity post-upgrade.

The refurbishmentof Thống Nhất Stadiumis assessed as urgent given the serious deterioration of many components.

Stand B had to cease operations, while functional areas, changing rooms, and auxiliary systems no longer meet requirements.

Therefore, this project not only improves the appearance but also ensures long-term safety and functionality.

Not only for competitions, Thống Nhất Stadium after renovation aims to become a multi-purpose sports complex, contributing to enhancing training and competition quality for city athletes. Simultaneously, the facility is also expected to meet standards for hosting national and international-level tournaments in the future.

The urgent refurbishment of Thống Nhất Stadium demonstrates Ho Chi Minh City's serious preparation for the 2026 National Sports Games. This is not only a major sporting event but also an opportunity for the city to upgrade its infrastructure system, laying a foundation for sustainable sports development in the coming years.

With a history of nearly a century, Thống Nhất Stadium is not just a competition venue but also part of the memories of fans. And this renovation is precisely a transformative step for the facility to continue accompanying Vietnamese sports in the new era.