Marina Bay City Plans World-Class Sports Stadium to Attract NRL and National Football Matches
Lombok, Indonesia — Invest in Lombok Property | Marina Bay City
Marina Bay City, the multi-billion-dollar planned city rising in South Lombok, has announced bold new plans to build a state-of-the-art sports stadium as part of its expanding infrastructure. Scheduled to begin construction next year and set for completion by mid-2027, the stadium is envisioned as a regional hub for both Indonesian and international sporting events.
A New Home for National Football and Beyond
The stadium is expected to host matches for a future Marina Bay City football team in Indonesia’s national league. The goal is to create a premier venue that not only serves local fans but also attracts international sporting attention to Lombok, much like Bali has done with tourism.
By establishing a national football presence, Marina Bay City aims to cement its role as a cultural and entertainment hub in Indonesia, complementing its hotels, resorts, convention center, and tourism facilities.
Bringing Rugby League to Lombok
The project’s co-founder, an Australian developer and lifelong rugby league fan, has set his sights on a more ambitious vision: hosting NRL matches at the new stadium. Having grown up playing rugby league and being a passionate Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs supporter, he hopes to bring the excitement of Australia’s premier rugby competition to Indonesia.
With the Papua New Guinea Hunters joining the NRL competition next year, and discussions of a Perth expansion team, Marina Bay City is strategically positioned to offer a neutral venue close to both regions. Lombok’s location makes it an ideal stopover, and the developers are exploring opportunities to host one or two games per year featuring these clubs.
A Bulldogs Connection
Given the Bulldogs’ large Muslim supporter base, Marina Bay City is also considering positioning itself as a natural venue for Bulldogs matches in Lombok — particularly against either Papua New Guinea or Perth. This aligns perfectly with Indonesia’s majority-Muslim population and the cultural connections between the Bulldogs and their fan community.
Tourism Meets Sport
The initiative isn’t just about sport — it’s about tourism. Lombok and neighboring Bali attract millions of Australian tourists annually, many of whom are rugby league fans. By hosting marquee NRL matches, Marina Bay City could draw substantial crowds of traveling fans, creating a new sports-tourism corridor between Bali, Lombok, and beyond.
The planned stadium is set to feature world-class facilities, ensuring it can accommodate both football and rugby codes, as well as concerts and global events, in line with Marina Bay City’s broader vision of becoming a multi-purpose destination city.
Looking Ahead
With construction slated to start in 2026 and completion expected by mid-2027, the Marina Bay City stadium could be hosting NRL matches and national football fixtures within just a few years. The vision underscores Marina Bay City’s ambition not only to redefine Lombok as a tourist hotspot but also to place it firmly on the international sporting map.
