Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has announced its latest milestone achievement on the road to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
The inauguration of the stadium located in Al Rayyan will take place on 18 December – Qatar National Day – exactly two years before the country hosts the FIFA World Cup final.
The stadium which will become the new home of Al Rayyan Sports Club is the fourth Qatar 2022 tournament venue to open following Khalifa International, Al Janoub and Education City.
Earlier this year, it was announced the venue would host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during the World Cup. The 40,000-capacity stadium is adjacent to the Mall of Qatar and within walking distance of Al Riffa Station – on Doha Metro’s Green Line.
The stadium’s most striking feature is a glowing façade, comprised of patterns that characterise different aspects of Qatar: the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, native flora and fauna, and local and international trade.
A fifth shape – a shield – brings together all the others, representing the strength and unity that is particularly relevant to the city of Al Rayyan.
H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the SC, said: “The inauguration of this stadium is another major milestone on the road to 2022.”
“This stunning venue and the surrounding precinct will leave a fantastic legacy for Al Rayyan Sports Club and everyone who lives in this proud city.”
“This event also marks the two-year countdown to the biggest match in Qatar’s history: the FIFA World Cup final,” added Al Thawadi.
“We are proud that our World Cup preparations remain on track, with 90% of infrastructure projects completed. We look forward to unveiling more stadiums next year as we ensure that all tournament venues are delivered well in advance of the big kick-off.”
Engineer Hilal Al Kuwari, Chairman of the SC’s Technical Delivery Office, described the stadium’s completion as a massive achievement on the road to the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world.
“Five stadiums have now been completed, including Khalifa, Al Janoub, Education City, Al Bayt and Al Rayyan. The remaining three will be delivered in the near future in order to give us plenty of time to test our operational plans,” said Al Kuwari.
He added: “The successful delivery of the stadium in Al Rayyan – on time and within budget – is testament to the outstanding collaboration of the SC team, our numerous contractors and valued stakeholders.”
“We are incredibly excited to launch this venue on Qatar National Day, exactly two years to the day before everyone focuses on our country for the World Cup final.”
Considerable sustainability and efficiency measures have been embedded in the design to reduce the stadium’s carbon footprint, including the use of recycled building materials and retaining trees from the surrounding environment.
Many of the recycled materials used in the new stadium complex came from the deconstructed Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium that once occupied the site.
As a result, the stadium was awarded the following Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) ratings: GSAS Design & Build Certification (four-star rating), GSAS Construction Management Certification (Class A*) and a GSAS Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) Compliance Certificate.
“The building of this stadium, which incorporated the careful deconstruction of Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium and the reuse of materials from that structure in the new project, is an outstanding achievement for the SC,” said Yasir Al Jamal, Vice Chairman of the SC’s Technical Delivery Office.
“From the beginning, sustainability was at the forefront of this project, amid the unique challenges we faced during the development. I’m very proud of the SC team and our valued stakeholders for delivering this outstanding venue.”
After Qatar 2022, the modular upper tier of the stadium will be removed, with the seats being repurposed into sporting facilities in Qatar and overseas.
The surrounding precinct will also be transformed into a regional sporting hub, where locals will have the opportunity to experience many other sporting facilities that spring up as part of the complex.
To mark the two-year countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, check out the progress at each of the eight stadium sites.
Three stadiums – Khalifa International, Al Janoub and Education City – have all been inaugurated and are fully operational, with the remaining five at various stages of construction.
All eight stadiums will be completed well in advance of the tournament, which will kick off on 21 November 2022.
Al Bayt Stadium
Capacity: 60,000
Designer: Dar Al-Handasah
Distance from Doha city centre: 43km (27 miles)
A remarkable sight will welcome fans to Al Bayt Stadium, which is being delivered by Aspire Zone Foundation. Designed to represent Arab hospitality, the venue will host nine matches through to the semi-finals stage of Qatar 2022 and is covered by a structure resembling a traditional Arab tent known as ‘bayt al sha’ar’, complete with a state-of-the-art retractable roof.
Construction update:
The stadium structure has been completed and is ready to host matches. This includes the laying of the stadium pitch in world record time. It is the second Qatar 2022 tournament venue to achieve a five-star rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). The surrounding Al Bayt Park is also open to the public.
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Al Janoub Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Design inspired by: Dame Zaha Hadid
Distance from Doha city centre: 23km (14 miles)
Located in Al Wakrah with a design inspired by the late British-Iraqi architect Dame Zaha Hadid, the futuristic Al Janoub Stadium will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022. The design is inspired by the sails of traditional dhow boats – in tribute to Al Wakrah’s seafaring past. An innovative cooling system and retractable roof mean the stadium can be used all year round.
The stadium was inaugurated on 16 May 2019 ahead of that year’s Amir Cup final. More recently, Al Janoub played host to matches in the West Zone of the 2020 AFC Champions League and is also a venue for the East Zone portion of the competition. The stadium has also been chosen by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as the venue for the 2020 AFC Champions League final on 19 December.
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Al Rayyan Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: Ramboll
Distance from Doha city centre: 22km (14 miles)
Al Rayyan Stadium will showcase the very best of Qatari culture when it hosts seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022. The outer façade will be made up of intricate patterns representing Qatar, from its history of trade to its varied wildlife. Al Rayyan’s desert landscapes will be reflected on the façade – and in the dune-shaped hospitality areas and merchandise stalls dotted around the stadium complex.
Construction update:
Recent infrastructure completions include the stadium façade, seating installation and the playing surface. The stadium is set to be inaugurated in the near future.
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Al Thumama Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: Arab Engineering Bureau
Distance from Doha city centre: 13km (8 miles)
The design of Al Thumama Stadium is inspired by the ‘gahfiya’, a traditional woven cap worn for centuries by men across the Arab world. It is the first FIFA World Cup™ venue to be designed by a Qatari architect – Ibrahim M. Jaidah. The stadium will host eight matches up to the quarter-finals stage during Qatar 2022.
Construction update:
Roof and façade works have been completed, as has the stadium’s bleacher installation. Seat installation, along with mechanical, electrical and plumbing works, plus finishing, are ongoing.
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Education City Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: FIA Fenwick Iribarren Architects
Distance from Doha city centre: 12km (7 miles)
Education City Stadium is located at the heart of Qatar Foundation – a vibrant centre for knowledge and innovation where this ultramodern arena will be a fitting addition and lasting symbol of sustainability. The stadium will host eight matches up to the quarter-finals stage during Qatar 2022 and eventually become the home of the Qatar women’s national team.
The stadium became the first Qatar 2022 tournament venue to receive a five-star GSAS sustainability rating ahead of its inauguration in June 2020. More recently, Education City played host to matches in the West Zone of the 2020 AFC Champions League and is also a venue for the East Zone portion of the competition.
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Khalifa International Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Distance from Doha city centre: 13km (8 miles)
On 19 May 2017, Khalifa International Stadium became the first FIFA World Cup 2022™ stadium to open when it hosted the Amir Cup final in front of more than 40,000 fans. Located in Aspire Zone, the historic venue has previously hosted the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup. The stadium is set to host eight matches up to the third-place play-off during Qatar 2022.
Recent events to have taken place at Khalifa International include the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships, the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019™. This year, the stadium played host to matches in the West Zone of the 2020 AFC Champions League and is also a venue for the East Zone portion of the competition.
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Lusail Stadium
Capacity: 80,000
Designer: Foster + Partners
Distance from Doha city centre: 16km (10 miles)
The 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium will embody Qatar’s ambition and its passion for sharing Arab culture with the world. The design of this magnificent stadium is inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterises the fanar lantern. The venue will also become the centrepiece of Lusail – a newly built, state-of-the-art metropolis, designed specifically with residents’ needs in mind. The stadium will host ten matches up to and including the final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
Construction update:
The stadium’s concrete works and bowl steel installation have been completed, while the roof big lift has commenced. The installation of the stadium’s steel structure and façade are ongoing, as are the mechanical, engineering, plumbing and finishing works.
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Ras Abu Aboud Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: FIA Fenwick Iribarren Architects
Distance from Doha city centre: 10km (6 miles)
Ras Abu Aboud Stadium will be the first fully demountable and re-usable tournament venue in FIFA World Cup™ history. Designed by Fenwick Iribarren Architects, this 40,000-capacity stadium will be built using shipping containers and other modular materials. Overlooking the stunning Doha Corniche and West Bay skyline, the stadium will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022.
Construction update:
The stadium will be built using 998 modular containers, with the delivery and installation of all remaining containers now completed. This includes special containers for the completed Kahramaa Primary Substation. All remaining structural steel members, including tension rods, have also been delivered and installed. Installation of all seats in the stadium’s bowl has also been completed.
