SAFF preparations enter final lap as Dhaka readies for full house

Preparations for the TECNO SAFF Championship Bangladesh 2026 have entered the final lap, with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) intensifying coordination on security, pitch conditions, ticketing and spectator management ahead of the tournament in Dhaka.

A coordination meeting was held at the National Stadium on Tuesday, focusing on the inner, outer and VIP gates, crowd movement, and arrangements for visiting teams and dignitaries.
SAFF General Secretary Purushottam Kattel said creating a safe and pleasant environment for spectators was the meeting's primary objective.

Tickets will start at Tk1,000 for the galleries, while corporate-box tickets will cost up to Tk10,000. According to the official ticketing platform Tickify, a single ticket will allow spectators to watch all matches played at the stadium on the same day.

The pricing has drawn some concern among supporters, but organisers are preparing for strong attendances. BFF Competitions Committee chairman Golam Gaus said ticket pricing was within SAFF's remit, while stressing that the BFF was assisting with tournament operations.

The championship will run from 5 to 17 November at the National Stadium, with Bangladesh beginning their campaign against Bhutan on 5 November before facing Sri Lanka on 11 November.

Participating teams will train at several venues, including the Police Ground, BUET Ground, a ground in the 300 Feet area, the Armed Police Battalion Ground and a practice facility outside Kings Arena.

SAFF is also assisting supporters from participating countries with visa documentation, while the BFF is supporting the federation with logistical arrangements.

With kick-off approaching, organisers are now focused on ironing out the final details to ensure a smooth tournament, from stadium security and crowd control to team logistics and spectator experience.