Khalifa Stadium – design description

It already hosted the 2006 Asian Games, all major games of Qatari national team in football and soon the FIFA World Cup. Khalifa Stadium is crucial to Qatar’s 2022 tournament, expected to host group games, quarterfinal, semifinal and perhaps even more games, depending on final stadium list.

Built in 2005, the new western side will remain intact, retaining the iconic arch system’s role as landmark. But the east side will go through complete makeover, mimicking the western side.

Even more arches will come atop the upgraded stand. New arched roof over part of the east side is in line with current architectural direction, just like access ramps created on both sides of the stand.

Initially a capacity increase to even 68,030 seats was announced, but later scrapped. The stadium is now expected to bear only the minimum accepted by FIFA - 40,000.

Completely new functions are planned underneath the improved structure: 10,000 sqm of retail space, further 10,000 sqm of VIP/corporate hospitality zones. And that’s not even half the new space, because floor surface of the stadium is likely to grow by 48,000 sqm, including the freestanding Qatar Olympic Museum next to the stadium, connected with a pedestrian bridge.