Malaysian Football League has officially confirmed a venue change for an upcoming Liga Super Malaysia 2025/26 fixture involving Kelantan The Real Warriors, and reigning champions Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Originally scheduled to take place at Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV on 10 May 2026, the match will now be held at the Stadium Sultan Ibrahim.
The decision follows a formal request from Kelantan TRW, which was subsequently agreed upon by Johor Darul Ta’zim and approved by the league governing body.
Unpredictable weather conditions in Kota Bharu have significantly affected the pitch quality at Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV, raising concerns over its readiness for top-flight competition.
Compounding the issue is a congested match schedule at the venue:
- 8 May 2026: Liga A1 Semi-Pro clash between Kelantan Red Warrior FC and Kelantan WTS FC
- 9 May 2026: Piala Belia fixture involving Kelantan WTS FC and Kuala Lumpur FA
With back-to-back matches scheduled, concerns mounted that the playing surface would not meet the required standards in time for the high-profile Liga Super encounter.
The switch effectively hands a significant advantage to Johor Darul Ta’zim, who will now host the match on home soil at the state-of-the-art Stadium Sultan Ibrahim.
For Kelantan TRW, the decision reflects a pragmatic approach—prioritizing player safety and match quality over home-ground advantage.
Credit Photo : Jayden Seah/SNE-Photo
