The Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium (simply known as the Rizal Memorial Stadium; officially the Simeon Toribio Track Stadium)[3] is the main stadium of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines. It served as the main stadium of the 1954 Asian Games and the Southeast Asian Games on three occasions. The stadium is also officially the home of the Philippines national football teams and domestic matches.
Background
Aerial view of the Carnival Grounds, 1931[a]Aerial view of Rizal Memorial Stadium, 1934
Since the 1930s, it has hosted all major local football tournaments and some international matches.[a] 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.[4] 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.[5] The stadium had undergone a major renovation program with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) spend ₱3.4 million for the renovation of the locker rooms, comfort rooms, and the fiberglass seats.[6] 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,[6][7] where the Philippine national team won 4-0 overall.[5][8][7] However, the pitch (which was a natural grass) deteriorated again due to the number of football and rugby events,[9] that led the PSC to convert it into an artificial turf in 2014.[9][10] In 2015, its football pitch received the 2-star accreditation from FIFA, making it the first football pitch in the Philippines to have it.[11]
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[12][13] New individual seats are to be installed in the spectator area of the stadium outside the main grandstand.[12] The renovation also includes the upgrading of its rubberized track oval.[14] The renovation will be funded from the ₱842.5 million given by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to the Philippine Sports Commission.[15]
In August 2021, the stadium was officially renamed as the Simeon Toribio Track Stadium, after Olympic high jumper Simeon Toribio.[3]
Panoramic view of Rizal Memorial Stadium prior to the 2019 renovation.
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.[16]
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 becamoming the Beatles' second-biggest concert ever.[17]
During the government's "Hatid Tulong" program, the stadium was used as the designated temporary holding place for Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs).[18][19] With the stadium being full, many other individuals who availed of the said program ended up sleeping and gathering outside.
^ abThe location of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was formerly known as the Manila Carnival Grounds. During this time, it also hosted local and international football matches.
^Alabastro, Antonio (1 February 2019). "He advocates play and games to foster brotherhood". The Manila Times. Retrieved 17 November 2019. The track and field stadium will look like a dalaga [unmarried woman]" before the 60-year-old Southeast Asian Games opens at the Philippine Arena in November this year, Ramirez says. Its faded bleachers will be repainted, its rubberized track, where legendary runners Mona Sulaiman and Lydia de Vega trained, will be upgraded.
.jpg)
Vito Cruz
5
