Khalifa International Stadium
In May 2017, Qatar celebrated the reopening of its most beloved stadium with a spectacular inauguration ceremony and by hosting the final of the Emir Cup. To warm up for its FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ fixtures, the stadium has hosted Arabian Gulf Cup and FIFA Club World Cup™ matches, as well as the IAAF World Athletics Championships.
History and description – Khalifa International Stadium
Khalifa International Stadium has been Qatar’s principal football stadium since 1976. The stadium was built to serve as the flagship venue for the 1976 Gulf Cup that was held in Qatar and could initially hold 20,000 spectators.
Over the years, the stadium has been upgraded several times, most notably for the 2006 Asian Games, which increased capacity to 40,000 seats.
In 2011, Khalifa International Stadium hosted multiple matches including the final between Japan and Australia (1-0) during the 2011 Asian Cup.
Khalifa International Stadium has been the standard playing venue of the Qatar national team and has furthermore occasionally hosted international friendlies of other teams such as Argentina and Brazil.
When Qatar got awarded the 2022 World Cup in 2010, Khalifa International Stadium was naturally proposed as one of the playing venues, though an extensive upgrade was needed.
Works on the stadium started in 2014, and included a refurbishment of all stands, additional seating, additional hospitality facilities, and the construction of a large innovative roof membrane that covers 70% of the stadium. The iconic arch of the stadium was replaced with a new one and complemented with a second one.
Works were completed in the summer of 2017, which made it the first 2022 World Cup stadium to be finished.
In 2019, Khalifa International Stadium was the venue of the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Athletics.
Khalifa International Stadium Design
As Qatar’s most iconic stadium, Khalifa International Stadium needed a renovation that was in keeping with its history. Those who knew the old stadium will be pleased with the new design.
An ultramodern stadium that honours the past
The most recognisable features of the arena were always its dual arches, sweeping across the skyline and acting as a magnet for football fans. These icons remain, but there is now a wide canopy stretching out below them, complementing the stadium’s cooling system to maintain a comfortable temperature for fans.
This is still the atmospheric stadium that fans from around the Middle East and Asia love, but updated to allow more people to enjoy it in comfort. A new tier has added 12,000 seats and the whole stadium has a beautiful new façade. While LED pitch lighting and digital floodlights bring a whole new dimension to the fan experience.
Khalifa International Stadium Sustainability
As Khalifa International Stadium was already a host venue of international level events, its redevelopment – and therefore its environmental impact – was kept to a minimum.
The main focus was on enhancing its capacity and facilities to FIFA World Cup™ standards and, crucially, modernising it to become a more environmentally friendly venue.
A green route to the game
Before fans even get to the stadium, they will be contributing towards the goal of making the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ the most eco-friendly tournament ever – one of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s key objectives. Whether they arrive via bus or the dedicated Sports City metro station, they will be helping to minimise the tournament’s carbon footprint.
If fans are heading to another FIFA World Cup™ fixture after the match, they won’t drive up vehicle emissions and air miles by travelling for hours between host cities. Unlike previous editions of the tournament, no FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ venue will be more than an hour away from any other. Located in the geographical centre of our proposed tournament venues, Khalifa International Stadium is particularly well placed for onward travel. A historic stadium, with a sustainable future
One of the most important changes to the stadium was the addition of a huge new roof canopy. Along with advanced cooling systems, it helps to maintain a comfortable temperature for football fans, supplying a simple, green solution to an environmental challenge.
Khalifa International Stadium Legacy
Khalifa International Stadium and district already enjoys a respected place in the community, through inspiring participation in sports and giving local families lush green parkland to enjoy.
So the legacy plan for this stadium and its surroundings is about building further benefits on top of an existing heritage.
A global impact
The legacy of Aspire Zone will be felt far beyond Doha, Qatar and even the Middle East. One of its most ambitious initiatives is Aspire Academy, a state-of-the-art training and education centre developing world-class athletes.
The academy is scouting potential superstars from all over the world, giving priceless opportunities to youngsters who may not otherwise have the chance to express their talents or even benefit from an education. Graduates from Aspire Academy will undoubtedly grace the pitch at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
Khalifa International Stadium Timeline
To commemorate a momentous milestone on the road to 2022 – the reopening of Khalifa International Stadium – we celebrate one of Qatar’s most iconic sporting venues from its beginnings as a host of an early Gulf Cup to the ultramodern arena now ready for the FIFA World Cup 2022™.
A new look for a new era
The stadium’s new design was launched in November 2014 at the 22nd Gulf Cup in Riyadh. People from across the region were united in excitement as they saw their beloved venue’s new look for the first time.
The plans included a distinctive stadium bowl shape. An additional 12,000 seats would be added, to take the capacity to 48,000 (40,000 for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™). Its iconic twin arches would remain, to live long in the memories of visiting football fans.
Pictured before the redevelopment, the arena’s athletics track remains a key part of future plans. It welcomed the world’s best athletes for the IAAF World Championships, which Doha hosted in September and October 2019.
How to get to Khalifa International Stadium
Khalifa International Stadium is located in the west of Doha at roughly 10 kilometres from central Doha (e.g. the Souq Waqif and Corniche), and 18 kilometres from The Pearl development further north.
The stadium can be reached by metro. Station Sports City is one the newly opened Gold line that runs through central Doha.
Address: Al Waab St, Doha
Eat, drink, and sleep near Khalifa International Stadium
Khalifa International Stadium is part of a large development including Qatar’s other Olympic sports facilities (e.g. an aquatics centre and indoor hall), the large Villaggio Mall, a park, and the iconic The Torch Doha hotel.
After completing the redevelopment, Khalifa International Stadium will also house the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.
The Villaggio Mall houses multiple restaurants of all types including quite a few international chain restaurants from the likes of Shake Shack, Pizza Express, and TGI Fridays to your regular fast food chains.
If you are looking to stay close to the stadium, you’ve got two hotels to choose from: the before mentioned Torch Doha and the Movenpick Al Aziziyah, though both are in the higher end.
When was Khalifa stadium built?
1976Khalifa International Stadium / Opened
Built in 1976 in Al Rayyan, Khalifa International Stadium has long been the cornerstone of the country’s sporting tradition – and the gatekeeper to its promising future.