In professional football, a home stadium is not just a venue for a club's matches, but also a symbol associated with local identity, pride, and a strong connection with fans. However, in recent V-League seasons, the concept of a home stadium has become increasingly ambiguous as many teams constantly change their match venues.
Thong Nhat Stadium is temporarily closed for upgrades, causing many fans of the Ho Chi Minh City Police FC to incur additional time and costs when traveling to Go Dau Stadium to support their team. Photo: QUOC AN
The 2024-2025 season is a prime example. Da Nang FC and Quang Nam FC had to share a home stadium due to inadequate facilities. In the first half of the season, Quang Nam FC had to borrow Hoa Xuan Stadium as their home ground because Tam Ky Stadium needed upgrading. In the second half, both teams shared Tam Ky Stadium. The high frequency of matches caused both Hoa Xuan and Tam Ky stadiums to deteriorate rapidly.
Without the home advantage, the two central Vietnamese representatives gradually lost their moral support from the stands and struggled in the relegation battle. Even more sadly, Quang Nam FC subsequently had to disband due to a lack of operating funds.
A similar situation occurred in Hanoi during the 2023-2024 season, when three teams – Hanoi FC, Hanoi Police, and The Cong Viettel – all used the Hang Day Stadium. The organizers faced many difficulties in scheduling matches, while the pitch and facilities quickly deteriorated due to overuse.
According to new regulations from the 2024-2025 season, Hang Day Stadium is only allowed to be the home ground for two teams. The Cong Viettel team was forced to move to My Dinh Stadium. This long journey wasted the time and money of many fans, leading to sparse attendance at My Dinh Stadium. Then, during the second half of the 2025-2026 season, My Dinh Stadium underwent further renovations, forcing the "military team" to return to Hang Day Stadium, once again putting fans in a difficult situation.
In the South, Thong Nhat Stadium was once a vibrant hub when the Ho Chi Minh City Police FC returned to the V-League for the 2025-2026 season, with an average attendance of no less than 7,000 people per match. However, due to deteriorating facilities and preparations for the 2026 National Sports Games, Thong Nhat Stadium will be upgraded starting in March 2026. The Ho Chi Minh City Police FC will be forced to move to Go Dau Stadium, sharing it with Becamex Ho Chi Minh City FC. The nearly two-hour journey is a significant challenge for loyal fans. This situation also presents a paradox: a major city like Ho Chi Minh City has only one stadium, Thong Nhat, that meets the Asian Football Confederation's standards.
The practice of clubs constantly changing their home stadiums has become commonplace in the V-League. Reasons such as dilapidated or substandard stadiums, or scheduling conflicts, are largely predictable but are often not thoroughly addressed before the season begins.
The biggest consequences fall on the fans. Long-distance travel increases costs and time, forcing many spectators to abandon their habit of attending matches. For the clubs, the home advantage is somewhat negated, expenses increase, and players struggle to maintain consistent physical and mental fitness.
On a macro level, the image of the V-League is also affected. A professional league demands stability, consistency, and respect for the fans. With the "home grounds" of many clubs constantly changing, the journey to elevate the V-League clearly still has much work to be done.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/lam-kho-khan-gia-196260207200128662.htm
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