Qatar was awarded the right to host the 2022 World Cup in 2010, and ever since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on how the stadiums will look and how they will function. 12 venues will be used to host matches during the tournament, but only eight have been announced so far. If you’re planning on going to the World Cup in 2022, these are the eight stadiums you need to know about.
1. LUSAIL ICONIC STADIUM - CAPACITY: 80,000
The stadium will be located in Lusail City and was the first stadium to be completed for the World Cup. It will have a capacity of 80,000, which is significantly less than Doha Stadium because the Lusail Iconic Stadium was built to provide a legacy, so that future generations can enjoy the World Cup like we are right now. Additionally, due to its location just north of the city center, fans aren’t going to get stuck in traffic on their way to the stadium.
2. AL BAYT STADIUM - CAPACITY: 60,000
The Al Bayt Stadium is the second stadium to be completed for the World Cup and will be located in Doha. The venue will have a capacity of 60,000, which is 10,000 more than the other stadiums in Qatar, but there is a good reason for that. The Al Bayt Stadium was designed to be located just south of Doha and meant to have elements resembling a traditional Qatari souk (market). It also serves as a tribute to the city’s history, so fans can reflect on how Qatar looked before modern architecture wholly transformed everything.
3. EDUCATION CITY STADIUM - CAPACITY: 45,350
The Education City Stadium is the first of three stadiums built in Al Khor City and has a capacity of 45,350. The construction process is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, and the stadium will be used primarily for football matches and official tournaments. It wasn’t the first stadium to be announced, but it was the first stadium to begin construction.
4. AL RAYYAN STADIUM - CAPACITY: 40,000
The Al Rayyan Stadium will be located in Al Rayyan City, one of the six venues that will host matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The stadium is still under construction, but it is expected to be finished in 2019. It will have a capacity of 40,000, which is the same capacity as Sidra Stadium. Additionally, if the stadium does not get selected to host fixtures during the World Cup, Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) will find another use for it.
5. RAS ABU ABOUD STADIUM – CAPACITY: 40,000
The Ras Abu Aboud Stadium is the second stadium to be built in Al Khor City, and this venue will be used primarily for football matches and other official events. The stadium is expected to be completed in 2018, but when it is, its capacity will only be 40,000.
6. Al Thumama Stadium - Capacity: 40,000
The Al Thumama Stadium is located in Dukhan City and was the first stadium completed for the 2022 World Cup. It will have a capacity of 40,000, but that is slightly less than Doha Stadium. The stadium’s roof can open, and it will be used for football matches, but it also serves as a venue for official events.
7. KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM - CAPACITY: 40,000
The Khalifa International Stadium is one of the most well-known stadiums in Qatar and is located in Doha. It was the first venue to be completed for the 2022 World Cup, although it didn’t have a capacity of 40,000 at the time. Instead, that came later on after substantial expansion work was done. It’s also home to Al Rayyan and Al Sadd football clubs.
8. AL JANOUB STADIUM - CAPACITY: 40,000
The Al Janoub Stadium is located in Al Rayyan City. It is the second stadium to be completed for the World Cup tournament, as construction on the venue began in 2016. It will be able to accommodate up to 40,000 spectators, and it was designed to have a fan experience that’s second-to-none. It will also have a roof that can open and a pitch that can retract and convert into an entertainment space for concerts, shows, and festivals.
Qatar is investing a lot of money into the stadiums that will host the World Cup in 2022, but these are just some of the many stadiums currently being built. Qatar expected to spend around $4.8 billion on building these stadiums, but it’s a drop in the ocean compared to what was spent on Russia in 2018.
Tags:
Sports