Featured image credit: Populous/Oualalou + Choi
New images have been released of the 115,000-capacity Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca which is intended to be the focal point of Morocco’s 2030 FIFA World Cup co-hosting.
The venue has been designed by Paris-based architects Oualalou + Choi and sports design company Populous, and is due to be the largest football stadium in the world.
Its design draws inspiration from the traditional Moroccan social gathering known as a moussem, as the stadium’s structure is set under a tented roof.
“The Grand Stade Hassan II is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture, with its traditions and contemporary expressions,” said design principal and founding partner at Oualalou + Choi and lead architect for the project Tarik Oualalou.
“It is rooted in ancient and primordial figures: the Moussem, the tent, and the garden, as well as the topography and landscapes of Morocco.
“It’s a generous space, open to the world and respectful to the Nature it protects. The Grand Stade Hassan II de Casablanca is the embodiment of the great tradition of Moroccan hospitality.”
At both ends of the stadium bowl, there will be three steep and compact tiers of seating holding 29,500 fans. This has been done to “ensure a vibrant and spectacular atmosphere”.
Along each of the main stands will be five levels of hospitality able to accommodate 12,000 people.
The stadium is covered by a roof that will be made from a unique aluminium lattice which will be supported by a ring of 32 stairways.
These will feature gateways with gardens positioned on platforms each raised 28 metres from the ground. A series of botanical gardens will also be at ground level under the outer reaches of the covering.
The gardens are intended to produce an “extraordinary special experience” and an “oasis of greenery” under the translucent roof.
“The Grand Stade Hassan II will provide extraordinary spaces that create exceptional experiences for every fan and every visitor,” said president of Populous France and lead architect for the project François Clément.
“It is a cornerstone of King Mohammed VI’s vision to develop Morocco’s football infrastructure that will elevate Morocco to the highest global platform of sporting infrastructure development.”
Designers say that the stadium will be fully compliant for FIFA competitions and will have the ability to stage the World Cup final in 2030.
Morocco is set to host the majority tournament alongside Spain and Portugal other than the first, second, and third matches which are due to be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, respectively.
This is to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the FIFA World Cup.
Grand Stade Hassan II is the only new stadium in the list of candidate host cities which has six stadia in six cities from Morocco.
Spain has the largest allocation with nine stadia in the same number of cities while three stadia from two Portuguese cities are due to feature.
“We are very proud to work alongside our partners Oualalou + Choi on this incredible project,” said Populous managing director for the EMEA region Christopher Lee.
“The Grand Stade Hassan II will be a truly iconic, landmark venue for Morocco and for football itself, that will become one of the great stadia of the world.”
The Grand Stade Hassan II has an estimated price tag of between MAD4.5bn (£356.1m/€417.3m/$464m) and MAD5bn, with the land selected covering a 100-hectare site.
Oualalou + Choi and Populous were selected to deliver the stadium after a process featuring a longlist of 12 proposals.
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