Al Thumama Stadium
Al Thumama Stadium’s inauguration was as host of the 49th Amir Cup Final on Friday 22 October 2021. The match, close to the heart of all Qataris, was a fitting occasion to open a stadium steeped in local culture.
Located 12km south of Doha’s glittering skyline, Al Thumama Stadium will host FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ matches up to and including the quarter-finals.
Al Thumama Stadium – History and description
Al Thumama Stadium is one of the newly built stadiums for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Construction of the stadium began in 2017 and took over four years. Al Thumama Stadium officially opened on 22 October 2021 with the 49th Amir Cup Final between Al-Sadd and Al-Rayyan (1-1).
The stadium’s circular design has been inspired by the gahfiya, the traditional woven cap that is commonly worn by men across the Middle East.
During the World Cup, Al Thumama Stadium will host five first round group matches, one round of 16 match, and one quarter-final. The stadium is also one of the playing venues of the 2021 Arab Cup.
After the World Cup, capacity will be reduced to 20,000 seats by removing the upper tier.
Al Thumama Stadium is dynamic, empowering and truly imaginative. In keeping with all of Qatar’s new FIFA World Cup 2022™ venues, this arena has been designed to celebrate Arab culture and traditions, just as much as the tournament itself.
The stadium’s bold, circular form reflects the gahfiya – a traditional woven cap adorned by men and boys all across the Middle East for centuries. It is a beloved part of Arab family culture that symbolises dignity and independence – marking every young boy’s path to adulthood.
In symbolising Qatar’s youth, Al Thumama Stadium also points to the country’s emergence as a major player on the global sporting scene.
How to get to Al Thumama Stadium
Al Thumama Stadium is located in the south of Doha, about 7 kilometres south of central Doha (the Souq Waqif area).
The stadium is not close to a metro station so either take a taxi or a local bus (or use special shuttle arrangements for the event). If taking the bus, catch bus 10 from Al Ghanim Bus Station near Souq Waqif. The stadium is at almost the end of the line at Al Thumama Bus Stop 7.
Of the 2022 World Cup Stadiums, Al Thumama Stadium is one of the closes located to Hamad International Airport.
Eat, drink, and sleep near Al Thumama Stadium
Al Thumama Stadium is located in the Al Thumama area in southern Doha, a relatively bland residential neighbourhood of little interest.
There are few if any places to eat or drink near the stadium and neither are there any hotels. If picking a hotel as close as possible to the stadium is your aim, go for one of the many options on the southern side of the Corniche in and around the Souq Waqif area.
Al Thumama Stadium Design
Al Thumama Stadium is a new stand-out feature of Qatar’s ever-evolving landscape.
For many visitors, the first sighting of this magnificent stadium comes from above as flights descend into Hamad International Airport. Its striking form touches the hearts of many Arab families, who instantly identify with such an important part of their lives and culture.
It’s from the ground, however, that this FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ venue’s identity truly astounds. To step inside such an emotive arena is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many local and visiting fans.
Al Thumama Stadium Sustainability
Qatar’s commitment to a truly green tournament remains at the forefront of everything we do.
During Qatar’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2022™, the area surrounding Al Thumama Stadium was the location for a revolutionary prototype stadium. Called the Showcase, it played an important role in demonstrating to FIFA how Qatar is committed to innovation and sustainability in the tournament and beyond. It was also a triumph for the whole Arab world, signifying the region’s eagerness to face challenges head on and overcome them.
The Showcase remains. It will continue to be used until 2022 to demonstrate how we are using innovative, sustainable technologies to harness the power of the sun for stadium cooling. Building on the concept established when the Showcase was originally built, this new role highlights Qatar’s wholehearted commitment to delivering a green FIFA World Cup 2022™.
With significantly reduced travel distances and times between stadiums when compared to previous tournaments, the carbon footprint of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will be dramatically smaller than that of most past editions.
Al Thumama Stadium Legacy
The 28 days of football played during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ will be remembered forever. But the tournament’s defining impact will be its legacy in Qatar and the region.
A home for a community
As well as the multiple sporting options open to all, there will also be a number of retail and commercial units created to ensure the area becomes a bustling hub of exercise and activity, along with a mosque and a boutique hotel inside the stadium.
Serving the community in 2022 and beyond
After the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Al Thumama Stadium’s seating capacity will be reduced from 40,000 to 20,000. The seats removed from the stadium will be donated to countries in need of sporting infrastructure. The downsized stadium will remain active, hosting football and other sporting events.
Who designed Thumama stadium?
Ibrahim Mohammed JaidahThe first stadium designed by a Qatari architect, Ibrahim Mohammed Jaidah drew inspiration from the gahfiya, traditional headwear in Qatar and across MENA.
Which city is Al Thumama?
DohaAl-Thumama (Arabic: الثمامة, romanized: ath-Thumāma) is a district in Doha in Qatar.
What is capital of Qatar?
Doha is the capital and most populous city of Qatar. It has a population of 2,382,000. The city is located on the coast of the Persian gulf in the east of the country, north of Al Wakrah and south of Al Khor.