Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Al Rayyan, where Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is located, is known for its love of traditions and local culture, as well as its hugely popular football team, Al Rayyan Sports Club. The close-knit community here is deeply committed to the team, whose new arena will host up to 40,000 fans at FIFA World Cup 2022™ matches through to the quarter-final stage.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, built on the site of a venue with the same name, incorporates symbols of Qatari culture into its spectacular undulating façade. The facilities surrounding the stadium also mirror the country, with sand dune-shaped structures recalling the beautifully wild lands to the west.
Al Rayyan welcomes football fans from around the world with open arms, eager to show them the rich culture of Qatar
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium – History and description
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, also known as Al Rayyan Stadium, is one of the playing venues of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It opened in 2020.
The stadium was built in place of the old Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, home of Al Rayyan SC. Initially the plan was to expand and renovate the existing stadium, but in the end they built a whole new stadium altogether.
The last match in the old stadium was played in 2014, following which it got demolished and preparation works for the new stadium started. The final designs were presented in 2015, and foundation works started in late 2016.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium officially opened on 18 December 2020 with the Amir Cup Final between Al-Sadd and Al-Arabi (2-1). A few months later the stadium was one of the two venues, alongside Education City Stadium, of the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup that was played in early 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It hosted among others one of the two semi-finals.
For the World Cup the stadium will have a capacity of roughly 40,000 seats. After the World Cup, nearly half of those will be removed again, resulting in a capacity of 21,000.
Its standout feature is the facade that incorporates various symbols of Qatari culture and is inspired by the sand dunes of the nearby desert.
During the World Cup, the stadium is set to host five first round group matches and one round of 16 match.
How to get to Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is located in the suburb of Al Rayyan on the eastern edge of the Doha metropolitan area. The distance to central Doha is about 20 kilometres.
You can easily reach the stadium from central Doha by metro. Metro station Al Riffa is located a short walk away from the stadium. It is the last station on the newly-constructed Green line, which can be boarded in central Doha. The journey from Al Bidda station takes about 25 minutes. On the way, you pass Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
From destinations further north along the bay such as The Pearl a transfer is required from the Red line. Transfer at Al Bidda station.
Eat, drink, and sleep near Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is located on the outskirts of Doha separated from the desert only by a few motorways. It is part of a new development which includes the Mall of Qatar, one of Doha’s large modern shopping malls.
There are various eating and drinking establishments in the mall if you need something to eat before the match.
There is one hotel near Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium: the luxurious AlRayyan Hotel Doha, which is part of the Mall of Qatar.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium Design
The design of Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan is the story of Qatar. Its most striking feature is a glowing façade, comprised of patterns that characterise different aspects of the country: the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, the native flora and fauna, as well as local and international trade.
A seventh shape, a shield, brings together all the others, representing the strength and unity that is particularly relevant to the proud desert city of Al Rayyan.
These patterns are like the geometric shapes often found in Islamic architecture and their impressive intricacy reflects the exquisite handicrafts produced in Qatar.
This unique façade is nestled around a compact seating structure, which guarantees an electric atmosphere and allows all 40,000 fans to feel closer than ever to the action on the pitch. Those fans are protected from the elements by a lightweight canopy and advanced cooling systems, allowing them to enjoy every match in complete comfort.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium Timeline
Unveiled on Qatar National Day (18 December) in 2020, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan made its debut with the showpiece Amir Cup final and became the fourth Qatar 2022™ stadium to be completed.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is built on the site of a venue that shared its name, the previous home of popular local team Al Rayyan SC. Deconstruction work to make way for the new 40,000-seat stadium began in September 2014.
In April 2015, the design of Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was revealed at a special ceremony held at Ali bin Abdullah Fort.
Al Rayyan SC’s state-of-the-art training ground was opened in July 2016, giving the players a place to hone their skills while they eagerly awaited their new stadium’s completion.
The installation of the stadium’s huge roof, spanning 32,700m2, began in May 2018.
A four-star GSAS certification came in October 2018, a major achievement that demonstrates Qatar 2022’s commitment to sustainability and green building.
In July 2020, as it neared completion, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium reached 20 million working hours without a lost-time incident – thanks to rigorous health & safety standards.
The stadium opened its doors to the world on 18 December 2020, delighting thousands of fans with a memorable Amir Cup final.
Shortly after its inauguration, the stadium hosted the FIFA Club World Cup 2020™, contested by the winners of each continent’s premier club competition.
Who Built Ahmed bin Ali stadium?
The construction of the new stadium started in early 2016. This was done by the joint venture between Al-Balagh and Larsen & Toubro.
Who is Ahmad Ali?
Sheikh Ahmad Bin Ali Al Thani was born around 1920 in Doha. He became the Ruler of Qatar on October 24, 1960 upon the abdication of his father.
How much did it cost to build Al Rayyan Stadium?
The Al Rayyan Stadium In Qatar: A World Cup Venue In The Historic Haven Of The Country. As the grand spectacle of the FIFA World Cup 2022 edges ever closer, Qatar is spending a whopping $200 billion USD on infrastructural projects including the construction of its eight new stadiums.Qatar 2022: Football World Cup stadiums