The Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium (simply known as the Rizal Memorial Stadium) is a stadium in Manila, Philippines. Part of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex which is designated by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines as a historical landmark, it served as the main stadium of the 1954 Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games on three occasions. The stadium is the official home of the Philippines national football teams and domestic matches.

Background

Since the 1930s, it has hosted all major local football tournaments and some international matches. When a new tartan track was laid out at the oval for the country's initial hosting of the 1981 Southeast Asian Games, the venue became a hub for athletics and the football pitch's condition slowly deteriorated. It eventually became unsuitable for international matches which meant the Philippine national team would have to play their home games at an alternate venue.

In 2010, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) partnered with the De La Salle University to refurbish the stadium's football pitch. The stadium had undergone a major renovation program with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) spend for the renovation of the locker rooms, comfort rooms, and the fiberglass seats. The renovation was completed in 2011 and was first used for the game of Azkals against Sri Lanka in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers round on July 3, 2011 which was the first international football game held at the stadium in the decades, where the Philippine national team won 4-0 overall. However, the pitch (which was a natural grass) deteriorated again due to the number of football and rugby events, that led the PSC to convert it into an artificial turf in 2014. In 2015, its football pitch received the 2-star accreditation from FIFA, making it the first football pitch in the Philippines to have it.

The stadium has undergone a major renovation after it was designated as the venue for the men's football event of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games New individual seats are to be installed in the spectator area of the stadium outside the main grandstand. The renovation also includes the upgrading of its rubberized track oval. The renovation will be funded from the given by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to the Philippine Sports Commission.

In early 2025, the stadium's artificial pitch was replaced with a new one within a month and tested on April 11.

Sport

Athletics Rizal Memorial has hosted several regional athletic meets, among the firsts being the 1934 Far Eastern Championship Games, the precursor of the Asian Games. It then went on to host the 1954 Asian Games. Aside from the athletic events, it also served as the main stadium for both of the multi-sport events. It also hosted the athletic events of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games and ASEAN Para Games.

It hosted regional athletic championships, hosting Asian Athletics Championships twice in 1993 and 2003. On a national level, the stadium has served as the venue for the Philippine Athletics Championships several times.

Football

Domestic Rizal Memorial is the home to the Philippines Football League, hosting matches since the league's inaugural season in 2017, hosting matches during the 2017 Philippines Football League, 2018 Philippines Football League, 2019 Philippines Football League, 2022–23 Philippines Football League, and the 2024–25 Philippines Football League. It also hosts the matches for the Copa Paulino Alcantara. The football tournaments for the National Collegiate Athletics Association and University Athletic Association of the Philippines are held in the stadium. The 2023 PFF Women's League was also held at the stadium.

International One of the first events held in the stadium is the football tournament of the 1934 Far Eastern Championship Games. The opening match between the Philippines and China on 12 May 1934 drew an estimated crowd of 40,000 people. China won the match 2–1, and eventually won the title. Other football tournaments of regional multi-sport events includes the 1954 Asian Games, the 1981, 1991, and 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

In 1966 and 1970, the AFC Youth Championship was held at Rizal Memorial.

The 2012 and 2014 Philippine Peace Cup were held in the stadium.

AFC Champions League tournaments were also held in the stadium:

2017 AFC Cup 2018 AFC Cup 2020 AFC Cup 2020 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs

Other events held at the stadium:

2012 and 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup Semifinals 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification Group E 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification 2023–24 AFC Champions League 2023–24 AFC Cup 2025-26 AFC Challenge League knockout stage

ASEAN Championships EditionDateTimeTeam #1ResultTeam #2RoundSpectators2016 AFF Suzuki Cup25 November 201620:00 UTC+81–2Group stage4672022 AFF Championship23 December 202218:00 UTC+85–1Group stage1,6502 January 202320:30 UTC+81–22,3702024 ASEAN Championship12 December 202418:30 UTC+81–1Group stage1,58918 December 202421:00 UTC+81–13,34627 December 202421:00 UTC+82–1Semifinals Leg 110,087

2022 AFF Women's Championship DateTimeTeam #1ResultTeam #2RoundSpectators4 July 202216:00 UTC+80–0Group stage23519:00 UTC+81–01,4086 July 202216:00 UTC+82–220719:00 UTC+87–06478 July 202216:00 UTC+84–019:00 UTC+80–442910 July 202216:00 UTC+81–433419:00 UTC+84–11,46412 July 202216:00 UTC+81–02,92313 July 202219:00 UTC+84–015715 July 202216:00 UTC+82–0Semi-finals20:00 UTC+80–43,23317 July 202216:00 UTC+84–3Third place match19:30 UTC+80–3Final8,257

FIFA World Cup Qualification 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round DateTimeTeam #1ResultTeam #2RoundSpectators16 November 202319:00 UTC+80–2Second round10,37821 November 202319:00 UTC+81–19,88026 March 202419:00 UTC+80–510,014

Rugby The first international rugby test in the stadium was held when the Philippines hosted the 2012 Asian Five Nations Division I tournament, which doubled as a qualifying tournament for the 2015 Rugby World Cup; the goal posts were erected just days prior to the tournament.

Other purposes

Concert

On July 4, 1966, the Rizal Memorial Stadium hosted two sold-out concerts of the Beatles. The combined attendance was 80,000 with the evening concert registering 50,000 paying audience and becoming the Beatles' second-biggest concert ever.

Add to this, a celebrity had concert in this Stadium “The Vic Damone Show” held on 24 December 1960. A huge audience attended his concert in the evening. +List of concerts showing date, headlining artist or band, name of concert or tour and opening actsDateHeadlining artistConcert or tourOpening actsAttendance4 July 1966The BeatlesAsian Tour 1966Reycard Duet, Wing Duo, Pilita Corrales 50,00016 December 1978Asin15 February 1992New Kids on the BlockNo More Games Tour11 December 1985Pops FernandezAlways Pops

COVID-19 pandemic During the government's "Hatid Tulong" program, the stadium was used as the designated temporary holding place for Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs). With the stadium being full, many other individuals who availed of the said program ended up sleeping and gathering outside.

See also List of football stadiums in the Philippines New Clark City Athletics Stadium Philippine Sports Stadium Biñan Football Stadium Panaad Stadium PFF National Training Center

Notes

References

External links

Rizal Memorial Stadium photo at WorldStadiums.com