Nasiriyah International Stadium is one of the most important projects in Zi Kar province. It was built as part of the government's reconstruction fund and replaced an outdated sports facility.

Project genesis and site selection

The idea to build Nasiriyah International Stadium originated from the Dhi Qar Reconstruction Fund, an initiative to improve the quality of life of the people in the region. The decision to go ahead with it was made due to the poor state of repair of the old Nasiriyah Stadium, which was erected back in the 1960s. In 2020, the site of the old facility was taken over by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Iraq, and already in 2021, a contract was signed for its demolition and the construction of a modern sports arena.

The project was entrusted to Global Sport IQ and Artal Global, who ensured that the new stadium not only met international standards, but also incorporated local inspiration and unique architectural details. These are the kind of venues that make it to the list of the best stadiums opening in 2024 - and which ones deserve to be the absolute top? The final choice is yours: it's time to pick your TOP5.

Fast-track project with little incident

After the complete demolition of the old stadium in March 2022, work on the new arena began. The construction process progressed dynamically, although it was not without its difficulties. Despite minor delays due to logistics and political events, most stages of the project were completed on schedule. In February 2024, there were reports of two gun attacks on personnel working on the site, demonstrating the challenges of delivering a project in a volatile region. It is worth mentioning that, in parallel, another, larger facility has been under construction in the northern part of An-Nasiriyah since 2013, which had not been completed by the time Nasiriyah International Stadium opened.

The new stadium was officially inaugurated on 20 August 2024 in the presence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani. Originally, the venue was to be called Nasiriyah Local Administration Stadium, but in the end it was decided to go with the more prestigious name - Nasiriyah International Stadium. Al-Nasiriya SC, a local club, became the main user of the stadium, providing it with an ideal environment for development thanks to its modern infrastructure.

Architecture inspired by history

The stadium's design is distinguished by its original rectangular form with rounded corners. Its most striking feature is the 132 pillars, tapering upwards, which allude to the tools used by the ancient Sumerians to write cuneiform script. Motifs related to Mesopotamian culture can also be found in the building's interiors, giving it a unique character. What is unique about the rest of the stadiums in the Stadium of the Year competition? You can find out about all the honoured stadiums in our YouTube video.

The stadium's stands are single-storey, but the architects have clearly marked the division between the upper and lower sections. The auditorium features white and beige seats that are arranged in vertical lines resembling a sound spectrogram, a visualisation of the sounds of Iraqi fans.

The stadium's canopy provides protection from the weather, with modern lighting and two screens underneath to display replays and other multimedia content. The most important stand has been equipped with a glass VIP box and spacious backstage facilities.

© Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office