The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the body overseeing the delivery of Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup, has unveiled the design for the tournament’s main stadium, which is envisioned to act as the heart of a new community following the national team football competition.
The 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium will be the largest stadium for the World Cup, and is scheduled to host the opening and final games. Located 15km north of central Doha, Lusail Stadium will form the centrepiece of the new Lusail City, the construction of which is 90% complete.
British firm Foster + Partners provided the design concept for the stadium. The venue’s ‘golden vessel’ takes its inspiration from Arab architecture as well as literal symbolism by celebrating the region’s ancient tradition of craftsmanship. The design features ‘fanar’ lanterns and detailed bowls that have been created for centuries in the region.
Construction of the stadium, which is being delivered by a joint venture comprising Qatari firm HBK Contracting and China Railway Construction Corporation, is already well underway. With the substructure complete, the SC said concrete superstructure and infrastructure works are progressing in all zones, while internal works have commenced in the west stand. Construction of the stadium is set to be completed in 2020.
SC secretary general, Hassan Al Thawadi, said: “The new stadium is a nod to our past and a symbol of an exciting future. On the very same land as the home of our nation’s founder (Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Al Thani), it sits at the heart of a brand new city.
“It’s a city for the future, and once the World Cup is over it will form a crucial part of the legacy of the tournament as it transforms to become the heart of a brand new community. We hope that one day, future generations look at Lusail Stadium as a source of inspiration, perseverance and innovation that enabled the transformation of Lusail into the modern city it is.”
After the World Cup, Lusail Stadium will be transformed into a community space, including schools, shops, cafés, sports facilities and health clinics. This multi-purpose community hub will be housed under the original roof of the football stadium.
To make way for these new amenities, many of the stadium’s modular seats will be removed and donated to sporting projects around the world as part of the SC’s legacy planning.
Lusail Stadium is the eighth stadium design to be unveiled by the SC. Khalifa International Stadium became the first tournament-ready venue in 2017, while two more stadiums will be completed early next year in the form of Al Wakrah Stadium and Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City.
Images: Supreme Committee
Share this