Changlimithang Stadium
Interactive map of Changlimithang Stadium | |
| Address | Changlimithang, Chang Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan |
|---|---|
| Location | Thimphu, Bhutan |
| Coordinates | 27°28′17.1″N 89°38′27.8″E / 27.471417°N 89.641056°E |
| Owner | Bhutan Olympic Committee |
| Operator | Bhutan Football Federation (BFF) |
| Capacity | 15,000 |
| Surface | AstroTurf |
| Scoreboard | Yes |
| Field size | 102.4m x 69.4m |
| Field shape | Rectangular |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1974 |
| Opened | 1974 |
| Renovated | 2008, 2011 |
| Tenants | |
| Bhutan Premier League BPL Qualifiers Thimphu Dzongkhag (District) League Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Gold Cup Coronation Championship Women's National League Women's Thimphu League (sometimes) Bhutan national football team Bhutan men's national volleyball team Bhutan Archery Federation | |
The Changlimithang Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, which serves as the national stadium of Bhutan. It is predominantly used for football matches and is the home of the Bhutan national football team, other national selections and a number of Thimphu-based football clubs. The Changlimithang Stadium sometimes hosts Bhutan Premier League association football matches with thousands of spectators in attendance.
The stadium also regularly plays host to women's football, archery tournaments, minifootball and some volleyball matches. The stadium was initially constructed in 1974 for the coronation of the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, but was completely refurbished in 2007 in advance of the coronation of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Floodlights were added to the football pitch in 2009 and an evergreen turf laid in 2012, to coincide with the start of the first season of the National League. Located 2,300 meters (7,500 ft) above sea level, the stadium is one of the highest in the world. It has raised numerous controversies in footballing circles, as its significant altitude affects the absorption of oxygen in the human body, offering considerable advantage to the home teams who are more accustomed to such conditions.