Changlimithang Stadium

Changlimithang Stadium

Changlimithang Stadium Location of Changlimithang within Bhutan
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 / 27.471417; 89.641056
Capacity	25,000
Field size	122 x 76 yards (102.4m x 69.4m)
Construction
Broke ground	1974
Opened	1974
Renovated	2007–08
Expanded	2007–08
Tenants
Bhutan national football team Bhutan women's national football team Druk Pol Druk Star Druk United Dzongree Thimpu City Yeedzin

Changlimithang Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, which serves as the National Stadium. It is predominantly used for football matches and is the home of both the Bhutan national football team and a number of Thimphu-based football clubs who play in both the A-Division and the National League. In addition to football, the stadium also regularly plays host to major archery tournaments, the national sport of Bhutan. The stadium was initially constructed in 1974 for the coronation of the fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, but was completely refurbished in 2007 in advance of the coronation of the fifth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Floodlighting was added to the football pitch in 2009 and an artificial pitch was laid in 2012 to coincide with the start of the first season of the National League.

Changlimithang is built on the site of a decisive battle in Bhutan's history, fought in 1885, which established the supremacy of Ugyen Wangchuk, his coronation as the first Druk Gyalpo and led to the unification of Bhutan following a series of civil wars and rebellions between 1882 and 1885. Construction for the original stadium was completed in 1974 in time for the coronation of the fourth Druk Gyaplo, Jigme Singye Wangchuk and at that time the whole park covered an area of approximately 11 hectares, with seating for around 10,000 people. As well as taking on the role of national stadium and being the home to the Bhutan national football team and national archery competitions, the stadium also provided facilities for squash, billiards and tennis in addition to being the headquarters of the Bhutan Olympic Committee.