The idea of constructing a modern stadium in Brunei was first made by the former Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien III to commemorate the visit of Elizabeth II on February 29, 1972.

A meeting was held on May 16, 1972 on which the special committee made a decision to build a stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Although the final collection of $1,102,761.57 accounted for a little more than 1.1 percent of the total building cost ($100 million), the public participation showed the Bruneians' great interest and support for this project.

[3] The stadium has a videomatrix scoreboard located at the northern section; it can display both Latin and Jawi writing.

[5] It was opened on 23 September 1983, the date was chosen to celebrate the 69th birthday of Bolkiah's father and predecessor Omar Ali Saifuddien III.