Stade Olympique de Rabat – stadium description

What is Stade Olympique de Rabat like in a nutshell?

In the summer of 2023, Stade Moulay Abdellah, the largest stadium in the Moroccan capital and one of the most significant in the country, was closed. In its place, a completely new venue was planned, which will host the 2030 World Cup matches. The facility was to be larger, more modern and... devoid of an athletics track.

This last detail caused some friction, as the old Stade Moulay Abdellah was the first and only stadium in Africa to host an annual athletics meeting, which was part of the prestigious Diamond League series.

In order to ensure the continuity of athletics events, it was decided that a smaller facility dedicated to the “queen of sports” would be built next to the large football stadium.

Although its construction began later than that of its giant neighbor, the new Stade Olympique de Rabat was inaugurated first, on May 25, 2025, on the occasion of the next edition of the Diamond League meeting.

The stadium can seat 21,000 spectators, and the main stand is covered by a crescent-shaped membrane roof. Interestingly, the oval ring of the auditorium is separated from the running track by a large ditch.

The facility hosts not only athletics competitions, but also football matches – right from the start, it was scheduled to host matches in three major international tournaments: the Africa Cup of Nations – both men's and women's, as well as the Women's Under-17 World Cup.

How was the Stade Olympique de Rabat built?

At the end of July 2023, demolition of the well-deserved Stade Moulay Abdellah began – in its place, a new stadium was to be built, larger (for 68,700 spectators) and more modern, in a football-specific layout (without an athletics track).

The new Stade Moulay Abdellah is set to become the stronghold of the Association sportive des Forces armées royales (AS FAR), one of the most powerful football clubs in Morocco, as well as one of the venues for the 2030 World Cup.

The old Stade Moulay Abdellah hosted athletics competitions, including the prestigious Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athlétisme, part of the Diamond League. As authorities did not want to give up this event, it was decided that a smaller athletics stadium would be built next to the new football stadium.

This is how the plan to build the Stade Olympique de Rabat came about. The facility was to be located right next to the new Stade Moulay Abdellah, on the site of two former training tracks.

Construction began in early 2024, slightly later than work on the new Stade Moulay Abdellah. After the old facility was demolished, in 2024 the Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athlétisme was held at the Stade de Marrakech.

The new athletics stadium was opened on May 25, 2025, and its inauguration was the 16th edition of the Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athlétisme, which returned to Rabat after a one-year hiatus. Although its construction began later than that of the neighboring football stadium, the athletics stadium was completed first.

What are the characteristics of the Stade Olympique de Rabat?

The new stadium is equipped with a 9-lane athletics track that meets the standards for hosting top-level competitions. The track is surrounded by a ring of stands that can accommodate 21,000 spectators. Interestingly, the track is separated from the stands by a deep trench.

The main stand, with boxes and skyboxes, is located on the west side and is covered with a crescent-shaped membrane roof. The stands are equipped with plastic seats in light, soft colors.

On the east side, there are two lighting masts, while on the opposite side, floodlights are mounted along the edge of the roof. Above the east stand, there is a steel frame to which large screens are attached and banners are hung.

The facility is multifunctional – on the pitch inside the running track, football matches can be organized as well. The huge Stade Moulay Abdellah, located right next to it, is clearly visible from the stadium.

What events take place at the Stade Olympique de Rabat?

The stadium was built to replace the old Stade Moulay Abdellah, which was demolished. The facility is primarily intended to take over its athletics functions, including the organization of the prestigious Diamond League meeting.

The new Stade Olympique de Rabat can also host football competitions – right from the start, matches in three important international tournaments have been planned there:

• 2024 African Women's Cup of Nations – to be held in July 2025, with the Stade Olympique de Rabat hosting, among others, the opening match and the final of the event
• 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup (October-November 2025) – the stadium will also host the opening match and the final, among others
• 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (December 2025 – January 2026) – as part of the African championships, the stadium will host three group stage matches

Where is Stade Olympique de Rabat located?

The Stade Olympique de Rabat and the new Stade Moulay Abdellah are part of a larger sports complex, the Complexe sportif Moulay Abdellah, which also includes a 10,000-seat sports and entertainment hall (Salle Moulay Abdellah), an indoor swimming pool, and a new training track located right next to the athletics stadium.

The complex is located on the southwestern outskirts of Rabat, near the railway line and exit roads leading to Casablanca. There is also a park and a zoo nearby.

The complex is well connected: the main bus station in Rabat (gare routière de Rabat), opened in 2022, is located a short distance away, and construction of a high-speed rail station called Hay Riad began in early 2024.