Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium: A beacon of Qatari culture

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

Located in the city of Al Rayyan, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is only 22km away from central Doha. The stadium was officially inaugurated on 18 December 2020 when it hosted the 2020 Amir Cup final.

Here we take a closer look at the venue that will host seven matches during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

Design

“Ahmad Bin Ali’s design symbolises Qatari culture. Its glowing façade and geometric shapes tell the story of Qatar and highlight different aspects of the country; the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, the native flora and fauna, and local and international trade,” said Abdulla Al Fehani, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium Project Manager.

The stadium interior pays tribute to fans of Al Rayyan Sports Club and features red and black seats – the colours of The Fierce.

Capacity

40,000 fans will pack the stadium during Qatar 2022.

Stadium precinct and facilities

Al Fehani added: “The stadium precinct’s multiple sporting facilities will serve the needs of athletes and the local community. There is a running and cycling track, six football pitches, cricket pitches, tennis courts, a Padel court and outdoor gym facilities. The precinct also features a skate park and aquatics centre.”

The stadium is within walking distance of Al Riffa station, on the Green Line of Doha Metro, offering easy access to the venue for fans during Qatar 2022.

Legacy

Around 20,000 seats from the upper tiers will be donated to countries in need of sporting infrastructure after the World Cup.

During legacy mode, the stadium will become a sporting hub and the home of Al Rayyan Sports Club – one of Qatar’s most popular teams.

Sustainability

Sustainability has been at the core of the development from the start. The complex was rebuilt using 90% of the materials from the deconstruction of the old Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. The remaining materials are being recycled and will be repurposed to become public art installations. The stadium also features state-of-the-art cooling technology to ensure the facility can be used year-round.

Project manager and contractor

The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium project was managed by AECOM. Al Balagh Trading & Contracting and Larsen & Toubro Limited were the main project contractors.

Tournament mode

During the FIFA World Cup™, Ahmad Bin Ali will host seven matches through to the round of 16 stage, including:

21 November: USA v Wales (Group B)

23 November: Belgium v Canada (Group F)

25 November: Wales v Iran (Group B)

27 November: Japan v Costa Rica (Group E)

29 November: Wales v England (Group B)

1 December: Croatia v Belgium (Group F)

3 December: Round of 16: Group C winner v Group D runner-up