Kuching City FC clarifies Larkin Stadium decision for historic ACL2 matches

Kuching City Football Club (Kuching City FC) has moved to reassure supporters over the decision to use Stadium Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Hassan Yunos, better known as Stadium Larkin in Johor Bahru, as its alternative home venue for the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) campaign.

The club issued the statement following concerns among supporters over why its home matches in the continental competition would be played outside Sarawak.

According to Kuching City FC chief executive officer Iswandi Ali Hassan, the decision was made as a contingency measure while Stadium Taha Ariffin undergoes upgrading works to meet AFC requirements.

The club stressed that the selection of Stadium Larkin does not mean Kuching City FC is leaving Kuching or relocating its operations to Johor.

Instead, it is part of the club’s preparations to ensure it has an alternative venue should Stadium Taha Ariffin not receive the necessary AFC approval by the required deadline.

“Stadium Larkin has been named as an alternative venue as part of the preparations for the possibility that our main venue, Stadium Taha Ariffin, has yet to receive AFC approval by the stipulated date,” the club said.

Kuching City FC said upgrading works at Stadium Taha Ariffin are currently ongoing, with efforts being undertaken to ensure the stadium is ready to fulfil AFC requirements and inspections.

The club remains confident that the improvement works will allow Stadium Taha Ariffin to become its home ground for the ACL Two campaign.

The decision to prepare Stadium Larkin as a contingency venue, therefore, should not be viewed as a sign that Kuching City FC is abandoning Kuching or Sarawak.

Instead, the club described it as a professional planning measure to ensure that it has a viable option should there be any changes to the stadium upgrading schedule.

Kuching City FC Wants ACL Two Matches in Kuching

Kuching City FC acknowledged the strong desire among supporters, players, the state government and Sarawakians to experience the club’s historic continental campaign on home soil.

The club said its main ambition remains to play its Asian opponents in Kuching, in front of its own supporters.

“As a club carrying the name of Kuching and Sarawak onto the Asian stage, we want this historic experience to be shared with our supporters at home,” the statement said.

Kuching City FC added that playing its home matches in Kuching remains its priority.

At the same time, the club said it has a responsibility to plan ahead and prepare for every possible scenario as it faces the challenges of competing at the Asian level.

The club believes having an alternative venue is part of that professional preparation rather than an indication that it has given up on Stadium Taha Ariffin.

Kuching City FC is scheduled to play its first ACL Two home match on October 15, 2026.

The club said the scheduled fixture further strengthens its belief that Stadium Taha Ariffin will be ready to serve as its home venue throughout the 2026/27 ACL Two campaign.

Recent reports have confirmed that Stadium Larkin has been selected as the alternative venue while upgrading works continue at Stadium Taha Ariffin.

For now, Kuching City FC said it will continue to focus on the upgrading process and await the AFC’s inspection and decision once the improvement works have been completed.