Khalifa International Stadium – tournament stadium description

How was Khalifa International Stadium built?

The stadium opened in 1976 and served as the largest venue in Qatar until the new World Cup arenas were built. The facility was expanded in 1986 and extensively modernised for the 2006 Asian Games between 2003 and 2005, when two distinctive arches appeared above the stadium and the previous flat roof over the west stand was replaced with a new membrane one.

After Qatar was chosen to host the 2022 World Cup, plans began for another major redevelopment of the venue. Initial plans called for it to be enlarged to a capacity of 68,000 spectators, but these aims were somewhat trimmed down and eventually the capacity of the stadium during the World Cup will be 45,857 spectators, even less than before the modernisation.

The upgrade was carried out between 2014 and 2017 and it was the first venue ready for the World Cup. Works included the reconstruction of the east stand, where a second tier was built, and the creation of a completely new canopy covering the entire auditorium. It is the only 2022 World Cup stadium that was not built from scratch before the tournament.

What are the characteristics of Khalifa International Stadium?

As the only arena for the 2022 World Cup, the stadium is equipped with an athletics track. Due to its regular use for football matches, the running track is often covered with carpet. The facility has an asymmetrical arrangement of stands, which differ slightly in shape on the east and west sides. Along the pitch, on both sides, the stands also have a second tier.

The seats in the stadium are in the national colours (white and maroon, with grey added for a more interesting effect). On the upper tiers of the stands, they are arranged in the characteristic triangles familiar from the Qatari flag. LED screens have been placed in two opposite corners. The venue, like most World Cup arenas, is also equipped with a cooling system.

The auditorium is covered by a white membrane roof, which also has a glass section on the south side, allowing a little more light onto the pitch. The canopy contains floodlights. Two distinctive arches run above the roof. The patron of the stadium is Khalifa ibn Ahmad Al-Sani, emir of Qatar from 1972 to 1995.

The arena is located within the Aspire Zone sports complex, characterised by its interesting, unconventional architecture. Apart from the stadium itself, its most interesting facilities include the Aspire Dome sports hall complex and the distinctive Aspire Tower. A metro station is located close to the complex.

How will Khalifa International Stadium be used?

During the World Cup, the stadium will host six group stage matches, one round of 16 gmae and the third place play-off. This will be the biggest event in the stadium's history, although it is not the first major performance to take place there. The venue has already hosted an extraordinary number of major international competitions, such as the Asian Games, the Asian Cup and the World Championships in Athletics, becoming one of the most recognisable sports arenas in the region. In the future, the stadium will, among other things, be the main arena for the 2030 Asian Games.

What matches will take place at Khalifa International Stadium during the 2022 World Cup?

How Khalifa International Stadium compares to other World Cup 2022 venues?