Ajay Kumar at 13:27, 17 September 2023

2023-09-17T13:27:30Z

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{{Short description|Stadium and a multipurpose sports arena in Dhaka, Bangladesh}}
{{Use Bangladeshi English|date=February 2023}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Bangabandhu National Stadium
| logo_image =
| image = Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Aerial view of the stadium
| location = [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh
| coordinates = {{coord|23|43|40.2|N|90|24|48.4|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| owner = [[National Sports Council]]
| surface = [[Desso GrassMaster]]
| dimensions = 105 × 68 metres
| scoreboard = Yes
| former_names = {{nowrap|Dacca Stadium}}
| cost = {{BDTConvert|96|c}}<br />(2021 renovation)
| architect =
| opened = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1954}}
| renovated = 1978, 2011, 2021–2023
| reopened =
| capacity = 36,000
| suites =
| establishment=
| contractor =
| operator = [[National Sports Council]]<br />[[Bangladesh Football Federation]]
| home club =
| county club =
| tenants = [[Bangladesh national football team]] (2005–present)
| embedded =
}}

'''Bangabandhu National Stadium''' ({{lang-bn|বঙ্গবন্ধু জাতীয় স্টেডিয়াম}}) formerly known as '''Dhaka Stadium''', is a multipurpose sports arena and the national stadium of [[Bangladesh]]. Located in the [[Motijheel]] area of [[Dhaka]], it serves as the home venue for the [[Bangladesh national football team]]. It is one of the main football venues in Dhaka, along with the [[Bir Shreshtha Mustafa Kamal Stadium|BSSS Mustafa Kamal Stadium]]. The stadium gained recognition for hosting a high-profile international friendly between [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] and [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] in 2011.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/14811914 Argentina beat Nigeria 3–1 to avenge June's defeat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924190131/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/14811914 |date=24 September 2015 }} BBC</ref>

The stadium has been renovated several times, most recently for the opening ceremony of the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]]. It had a capacity close to 55,000 before the most recent renovation, but with a new capacity of 36,000 it is still the largest stadium in [[Bangladesh]]. Its current name was given to honour [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]], the father of the nation, also known as "Bangabandhu" or "Friend of Bengal".

==History==

===Early history ===
[[File:Dhaka Stadium in the late 1950s.jpg|thumb|left|Dhaka Stadium in the late 1950s.]]
The Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka is the only venue in the world to have hosted an inaugural home fixture for two [[Test cricket|Test]] nations: [[Pakistan]] and [[Bangladesh]].[http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/ground/56661.html <nowiki>[5]</nowiki>] [[India]] were the visitors on both occasions: in 1954–55, when Dacca was the capital of [[East Pakistan]], and in 1976–77, when the first unofficial Test match was held between [[Bangladesh cricket team|Bangladesh]] against the touring [[Marylebone Cricket Club|MCC]] from [[England]]. And the following year the Sri Lankan national team visited Bangladesh to play a few one-day, two-day and three-day unofficial matches against BCCB XI and Bangladesh National team. After that teams like Deccan Blues from India and MCC toured Bangladesh several times to play against BCCB XI and Bangladesh national team respectively.

Alongside cricket, the stadium was also known to host the historic [[Dhaka League]], which was the country's premier football league even before independence of Bangladesh. In the 80s when football's popularity was skyrocketing, the [[Dhaka Derby]] attracted thousands of fans into the stadium from all over the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/371985/Dhaka-Football-League:-Days-of-Glory|title=Dhaka Football League: Days of Glory | Daily Sun ||first=daily|last=sun|website=daily sun|access-date=18 March 2022|archive-date=2 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102155000/https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/371985/Dhaka-Football-League:-Days-of-Glory|url-status=live}}</ref> The stadium regularly hosted the now defunct [[Aga Khan Gold Cup]], which by many is considered to be first organized international competition that involved club teams around [[Asia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/2018/03/04/football-before-the-birth-of-bangladesh|title=Football before the birth of Bangladesh|date=4 March 2018|website=archive.dhakatribune.com|publisher=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=13 August 2022|archive-date=27 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927173554/https://archive.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/2018/03/04/football-before-the-birth-of-bangladesh|first=Shishir|last=Hoque|location=Dhaka, Bangladesh}}</ref>

The [[1978 AFC Youth Championship]] was the first major international tournament the stadium hosted. The stadium was also renovated for the occasion, the East Gallery was constructed and a women's gallery was arranged for the first time. The VIP gallery was also redecorated, as this was the first international football related tournament being held in Bangladesh. A total of forty games were played in the newly renovated stadium during the tournament held in October.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utpalshuvro.com/special-article/news/417|title=ঢাকার মাঠে সবচেয়ে বড় ফুটবল উৎসব|website=উৎপল শুভ্র :: Utp al Shuvro|access-date=23 July 2022|archive-date=23 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723162135/https://www.utpalshuvro.com/special-article/news/417|url-status=live}}</ref>

The stadium has a history of hosting number of historic sports event starting from cricket, football, hockey to boxing. In February 1978, boxer [[Muhammad Ali]] fought an exhibition boxing match at the stadium, the then '''Dacca Stadium''',<ref>{{cite news |date=17 February 1978 |title=Ali will have new battle plan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3712613/ali_will_have_new_battle_plan/ |newspaper=[[The Bryan-College Station Eagle|The Eagle]] |location=Bryan-College Station, TX |agency=Associated Press |page=15 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=27 November 2015 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208072459/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3712613/ali_will_have_new_battle_plan/ |url-status=live }} {{Open access}}</ref> with a 12-year-old Bengali boy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/wide-angle/the-boy-who-knocked-out-ali-2944|title=The Boy Who 'knocked Out' Ali|date=20 February 2015|access-date=17 December 2021|archive-date=17 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217113715/https://www.thedailystar.net/wide-angle/the-boy-who-knocked-out-ali-2944|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Home of Bangladesh football===
With a purpose-built cricket stadium being constructed on the outskirts of the city, the ground was taken out of commission at the end of the 2004–05 season, and handed over for the sole use of the [[Bangladesh national football team]]. Other than being used for the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]] opening ceremony, the stadium has been mainly used for football purposes since the turn of the decade.

The stadium has hosted the [[SAFF Championship]] three times to date. First during the [[2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|2003]] edition when Bangladesh lifted the trophy for the first time in history, in front of 46,000 local supporters. Since then the [[2009 SAFF Championship|2009]] and most recently the [[2018 SAFF Championship|2018]] editions of the tournament have all taken place at the stadium. Ever since the inception of the [[Bangladesh Premier League (football)|Bangladesh Premier League]], in 2007, the stadium has been used has been used to host majority of the league seasons.[[File:1.বঙ্গবন্ধু জাতীয় স্টেডিয়াম.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of Bangabandhu National Stadium]]

On 6 September 2011, Bangabandhu National Stadium hosted an international friendly football match between the full-strength [[Argentina National Football Team|Argentina]] and [[Nigeria National Football Team|Nigeria]] teams, featuring [[Lionel Messi]], [[Sergio Agüero]], [[Javier Mascherano]] and [[Mikel John Obi]] among the other star players of both nations. Argentina won 3–1 with goals from then-[[Real Madrid]] teammates [[Gonzalo Higuaín]] and [[Ángel Di María]], and an own goal from Nigeria's [[Elderson Echiéjilé]] with [[Chinedu Obasi]] scoring Nigeria's lone goal. Bangladeshi referee [[Tayeb Shamsuzzaman]] officiated the game, which drew 25,000 spectators despite ticket prices starting at US$100.<ref>[https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/09/06/world/friendlies/argentina/nigeria/1111530/ ARGENTINA VS. NIGERIA 3 – 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227000955/http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/09/06/world/friendlies/argentina/nigeria/1111530/ |date=27 December 2015 }} Soccerway.com</ref><ref>[http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/178103-messi-inspires-argentina-to-win-over-nigeria Messi inspires Argentina to win over Nigeria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518091154/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/178103-messi-inspires-argentina-to-win-over-nigeria |date=18 May 2015 }} NDTV</ref>

On 13 November 2020, the stadium hosted the first of two matches between Bangladesh and [[Nepal national football team|Nepal]] during the Mujib Borsho Fifa International Football Series, arranged by the [[Bangladesh Football Federation]]. Bangladesh won the first game of the series 2–0, while the second game which was held four days later, finished goalless which lead the hosts to clinch the series on aggregate. The friendlies helped football return to Bangabandhu National Stadium and the country after a long absence due to the rise of [[COVID-19]] cases worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/bangladesh-nepal-friendlies-be-styled-mujib-borsho-fifa-international-football-series-155455|title=Bangladesh-Nepal friendlies to be styled 'Mujib Borsho Fifa International Football Series'|date=8 November 2020|access-date=14 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214070639/https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/bangladesh-nepal-friendlies-be-styled-mujib-borsho-fifa-international-football-series-155455|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unb.com.bd/category/Sports/fifa-intl-series-bangladesh-win-two-match-series/60652|title=FIFA Int'l Series: Bangladesh win two-match series|access-date=14 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214065942/https://www.unb.com.bd/category/Sports/fifa-intl-series-bangladesh-win-two-match-series/60652|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Modern use==
[[File:Bangabandhu National Stadium during 2018 SAFF Championship Final (1).jpg|thumb|300px|The stadium during [[2018 SAFF Championship]]]]
Currently, the stadium is used by the [[Bangladesh national football team]] and [[Bangladesh women's national football team]] and also for [[sport of athletics|athletics]]. The stadium is also used to host the [[Bangladesh Premier League (football)|Bangladesh Football Premier League]] and [[Bangladesh Championship League]] games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unb.com.bd/category/sports/fifa-intl-series-bangladesh-to-play-nepal-in-series-decider-on-tuesday/60602 |title=FIFA Int'l Series: Bangladesh to play Nepal in series decider on Tuesday |publisher=Unb.com.bd |date= |accessdate=2022-03-20 |archive-date=7 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207152338/https://www.unb.com.bd/category/sports/fifa-intl-series-bangladesh-to-play-nepal-in-series-decider-on-tuesday/60602 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/160349/football-league-starts-on-february-3|title=Football League starts on February 3|website=New Age | The Most Popular Outspoken English Daily in Bangladesh|access-date=7 February 2022|archive-date=7 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207152458/https://www.newagebd.net/article/160349/football-league-starts-on-february-3|url-status=live}}</ref> The total [[seating capacity]] is about 36,000.

The stadium is located next to National Hockey Stadium. The stadium was used for competitions of the [[2010 South Asian Games]], including football and athletics.

==Tournament results==

===[[2018 SAFF Championship]]===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;" width="65%"
|-
! Date !! Competition!! Team !! Result !! Team !! Attendance
|-
|- bgcolor=gold
| 15 September 2018
| Finals
| {{fb|MDV}}
| align=center |2–0
| {{fb|IND}}
| N/A
|-
| 12 September 2018
| Semi-finals
| {{fb|IND}}
| align=center |3–1
| {{fb|PAK}}
| N/A
|-
| 12 September 2018
| Semi-finals
| {{fb|NEP}}
| align=center |0–3
| {{fb|MDV}}
| N/A
|-
| 9 September 2018
| Group B
| {{fb|IND}}
| align=center |2–0
| {{fb|MDV}}
| N/A
|-
| 8 September 2018
| Group A
| {{fb|BAN}}
| align=center |0–2
| {{fb|NEP}}
| N/A
|-
| 8 September 2018
| Group A
| {{fb|PAK}}
| align=center |3–0
| {{fb|BHU}}
| N/A
|-
| 7 September 2018
| Group B
| {{fb|MDV}}
| align=center |0–0
| {{fb|SRI}}
| N/A
|-
| 6 September 2018
| Group A
| {{fb|BAN}}
| align=center |1–0
| {{fb|PAK}}
| N/A
|-
| 6 September 2018
| Group A
| {{fb|NEP}}
| align=center |4–0
| {{fb|BHU}}
| N/A
|-
| 5 September 2018
| Group B
| {{fb|IND}}
| align=center |2–0
| {{fb|SRI}}
| N/A
|-
| 4 September 2018
| Group A
| {{fb|BAN}}
| align=center |2–0
| {{fb|BHU}}
| N/A
|-
| 4 September 2018
| Group A
| {{fb|NEP}}
| align=center |1–2
| {{fb|PAK}}
| N/A
|}

===[[2009 SAFF Championship]]===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;" width="65%"
|-
! Date !! Competition!! Team !! Res !! Team !! Attendance
|-
|- bgcolor=gold
| 13 December 2009
| Finals
| {{fb|MDV}}
| align=center |0(1)–0(3) ([[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|pens]])
| {{fbu|23|IND|name=India U23}}
| N/A
|-
| 11 December 2009
| Semi-finals
| {{fb|BAN}}
| align=center |0–1
| {{fbu|23|IND|name=India U23}}
| N/A
|-
| 11 December 2009
| Semi-finals
| {{fb|MDV}}
| align=center |5–1
| {{fb|NEP}}
| N/A
|-
| 9 December 2009
| Group A
| {{fb|MDV}}
| align=center |0–3
| {{fbu|23|IND|name=India U23}}
| N/A
|-
| 9 December 2009
| Group A
| {{fb|Afghanistan|2004}}
| align=center |0–3
| {{fb|NEP}}
| N/A
|-
| 8 December 2009
| Group B
| {{fb|PAK}}
| align=center |7–0
| {{fb|BHU}}
| N/A
|-
| 7 December 2009
| Group A
| {{fbu|23|IND|name=India U23}}
| align=center |1–0
| {{fb|NEP}}
| N/A
|-
| 7 December 2009
| Group B
| {{fb|MDV}}
| align=center |0–0
| {{fb|NEP}}
| N/A
|-
| 7 December 2009
| Group A
| {{fb|MDV}}
| align=center |3–1
| {{fb|Afghanistan|2004}}
| N/A
|-
| 6 December 2009
| Group B
| {{fb|BAN}}
| align=center |0–0
| {{fb|PAK}}
| N/A
|-
| 6 December 2009
| Group B
| {{fb|SRI}}
| align=center |6–0
| {{fb|BHU}}
| N/A
|-
| 5 December 2009
| Group A
| {{fbu|23|IND|name=India U23}}
| align=center |1–0
| {{fb|Afghanistan|2004}}
| N/A
|-
| 5 December 2009
| Group A
| {{fb|NEP}}
| align=center |1–1
| {{fb|MDV}}
| N/A
|-
| 4 December 2009
| Group B
| {{fb|BAN}}
| align=center |4–1
| {{fb|BHU}}
| N/A
|-
| 4 December 2009
| Group B
| {{fb|SRI}}
| align=center |1–0
| {{fb|PAK}}
| N/A
|}

===[[2003 South Asian Football Federation Gold Cup|2003 SAFF Gold Cup]]===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;" width="65%"
|-
! Date !! Competition!! Team !! Res !! Team !! Attendance
|-
|- bgcolor=gold
| 20 January 2003
| Finals
| {{fb|BAN}}
| align=center |1(5)–1(3) ([[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|pens]])
| {{fb|MDV}}
| 46,000
|-
| 20 January 2003
| Third-place match
| {{fb|IND}}
| align=center |2–1 ([[Sudden death (sport)#Association football|a.s.d.e.t.]])
| {{fb|PAK}}
| N/A
|-
| 18 January 2003
| Semi-finals
| {{fb|BAN}}
| align=center |2–1 ([[Sudden death (sport)#Association football|a.s.d.e.t.]])
| {{fb|IND}}
| N/A
|-
| 18 January 2003
| Semi-finals
| {{fb|MDV}}
| align=center |2–1
| {{fb|PAK}}
| N/A
|-
| 15 January 2003
| Group B
| {{fb|BAN}}
| align=center |3–0
| {{fb|BHU}}
| 15,000
|-
| 15 January 2003
| Group B
| {{fb|NEP}}
| align=center |2–3
| {{fb|MDV}}
| 15,000
|-
| 14 January 2003
| Group A
| {{fb|IND}}
| align=center |1–1
| {{fb|SRI}}
| N/A
|-
| 14 January 2003
| Group A
| {{fb|PAK}}
| align=center |1–0
| {{fb|Afghanistan|2002}}
| N/A
|-
| 13 January 2003
| Group B
| {{fb|BAN}}
| align=center |1–0
| {{fb|MDV}}
| 20,000
|-
| 13 January 2003
| Group B
| {{fb|NEP}}
| align=center |2–0
| {{fb|BHU}}
| N/A
|-
| 12 January 2003
| Group A
| {{fb|IND}}
| align=center |4–0
| {{fb|Afghanistan|2002}}
| N/A
|-
| 12 January 2003
| Group A
| {{fb|PAK}}
| align=center |6–0
| {{fb|SRI}}
| N/A
|-
| 11 January 2003
| Group B
| {{fbu|23|BAN}}
| align=center |1–0
| {{fb|NEP}}
| 55,000
|-
| 11 January 2003
| Group B
| {{fb|MDV}}
| align=center |6–0
| {{fb|BHU}}
| 25,000
|-
| 10 January 2003
| Group A
| {{fb|SRI}}
| align=center |1–0
| {{fb|AFG|2002}}
| N/A
|-
| 10 January 2003
| Group A
| {{fb|IND}}
| align=center |0–1
| {{fb|PAK}}
| N/A
|}

==Cricket stats and records==
The venue hosted its last international cricket match on 1 March 2005. After 2005, hosting of International Cricket status was shifted to [[Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium]], which was situated in [[Mirpur, Dhaka]].

Till 2005 the venue has hosted
* [[Test cricket|Test matches]] – 17
* [[One Day International]] – 58
* [[Twenty20 International|T20I]] – 0

==Renovation: 2021 Restructuring into a modern football stadium==
From September 2021, the stadium went under a year-long renovation process, which has been scheduled to end in early 2023, as the [[Bangladesh Football Federation]] have planned to organize future football related events on the ground, and transform it into a modernized football venue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jagonews24.com/sports/football/677525 |title=প্রিমিয়ার লিগ শেষে বঙ্গবন্ধু স্টেডিয়ামের সংস্কার কাজ শুরু |website=jagonews24.com |access-date=14 December 2021 |archive-date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214060231/https://www.jagonews24.com/sports/football/677525 |url-status=live }}</ref> Field development, construction of sheds in galleries, installation of chairs in galleries, modernization of toilets for international and local players, installation of floodlights, installation of CCTV cameras, installation of generators, installation of LED giant screens, installation of new athletic tracks, installation of digital advertising boards, creation of media centers, ticket counters, Dope Test Room Building, Medical Room, VIP Box Construction, President Box, Toilet development, medical equipment, sub-station equipment, AC and solar panel supply will be the works involved in the renovation of the stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dailyindustry.news/bangabandhu-national-stadium-to-be-decorated-at-a-cost-of-tk-96-cr/|title=Bangabandhu National Stadium to be decorated at a cost of Tk 96 cr – The Daily Industry|access-date=9 February 2022|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524004924/https://dailyindustry.news/bangabandhu-national-stadium-to-be-decorated-at-a-cost-of-tk-96-cr/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Renovation : 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, Opening Ceremony==
{{Main|2011 Cricket World Cup opening ceremony}}

Bangabandhu National Stadium hosted the opening ceremony of the [[2011 Cricket World Cup]] co-hosted by [[Bangladesh]], [[Sri Lanka]] and [[India]] on 17 February 2011. The stadium was exclusively modernised and renovated into a world class stadium to host the opening ceremony. The capacity of the stadium had been decreased to 36,000, a large [[LED]] screen had been installed, a modern roof had also been attached over the press box. The entrances and VIP box have also been upgraded to host the grand gala inaugural ceremony. The press box, along with a refreshment stand and the VIP box have been revamped. The stadium now has [[state of the art]] facilities suitable for international sporting events.

== Gallery ==

==See also==
* [[Bangladesh Football Federation]]
* [[Bangladesh national football team]]
* [[Bangladesh women's national football team]]
* [[Bangladesh national under-23 football team]]
* [[Bangladesh national under-20 football team]]
* [[Bangladesh national under-17 football team]]
* [[Bangladesh Football Premier League|Bangladesh Premier League]]
* [[List of football stadiums in Bangladesh]]
* [[Stadiums in Bangladesh]]
* [[List of Asian stadiums by capacity]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927082458/http://www.banglafootball.net/2007/03/stadiums.html BNS at BanglaFootball.net]

{{Bangladesh national football team}}
{{Bangladesh women's national football team}}

[[Category:Bangladesh national football team]]
[[Category:Football venues in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:National stadiums]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Dhaka]]
[[Category:Sport in Dhaka]]
[[Category:Memorials to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]]

Bangabandhu National Stadium - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 13:27, 17 September 2023