Built to replace FUS Rabat’s modest old ground, Stade Moulay El Hassan is part of Morocco’s wider stadium modernization ahead of AFCON 2025 and the 2030 World Cup. If you support this transformation, vote for Stade Moulay El Hassan in Stadium of the Year 2025.

The origin of the new Stade Moulay El Hassan

The decision to build the new arena was linked to Morocco being awarded the organization of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, which the country took over from Guinea in 2023. At the same time, Morocco also became a co-host of the FIFA World Cup 2030, which accelerated the development of sports infrastructure across the country.

The new Stade Moulay El Hassan was intended to replace the previous facility used by FUS Rabat. The former arena was more modest — it had a single western stand and could hold about 12,000 spectators despite early-2000s modernization efforts. Thanks to the investment, the club received a stadium with almost double the capacity and a much higher standard.

The stadium’s construction was part of a broader infrastructure modernization programme in the Moroccan capital aimed at preparing the country to host the world’s most important football tournaments. The project reflects Rabat’s ambitions to develop modern sports venues combining functionality, safety and high-quality architecture. If you want to support one of the symbols of this sporting transformation, vote for Stade Moulay El Hassan in the Stadium of the Year 2025 public poll and help promote the Moroccan project internationally.

Construction and inauguration of Stade Moulay El Hassan

Demolition work began in September 2024 and included not only the old stadium but also the nearby swimming pool. Actual construction started at the end of 2024, and the pace of work allowed the facility to be completed before the start of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025, although the stadium was not used during the tournament.

The official opening took place in mid-November 2025 during the second round of African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. A small qualification mini-tournament was held in Rabat, with three matches played — two of them, the semifinal and the final, were hosted at Stade Moulay El Hassan. The inauguration match took place on 13 November 2025, when Nigeria defeated Gabon 4–1 after extra time in the semifinal. In the final three days later, the Democratic Republic of Congo national football team won on penalties against Nigeria and secured a place in the World Cup playoffs.

© MACHARIE-ALMAGHRIB

Appearance and functions of Stade Moulay El Hassan

Stade Moulay El Hassan was designed in a typical football layout, with two-tier stands surrounding the pitch. The first row of seats is positioned above pitch level to improve visibility. The main stand, equipped with VIP boxes, is located on the western side.

The arena is equipped with foldable seating, two large video screens, LED bands, lighting and sound systems, and all seating sections are fully covered by a roof. The exterior facade gives the building a compact form, and at night it can be illuminated in different colors. The stadium is located in the eastern part of Rabat, in the Hay Nahda district.

On a daily basis, the stadium serves the FUS Rabat football club. The venue was also designed with the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in mind, during which it will host three group stage matches and a round-of-16 fixture. In the future, the arena may also be used to organize other international events.