The magnificent Lusail Stadium will be the centre of global attention when it hosts the FIFA World Cup final on 18 December.
It is the largest stadium in Qatar and will host matches during every stage of this year’s tournament, which will take place from 20 November to 18 December.
Here we take a closer look at the venue, which recently hosted more than 75,000 fans when it staged the Lusail Super Cup in September.
Design
Located 20km from central Doha, Lusail Stadium is designed to replicate the ‘fanar’ lantern. Its futuristic design is inspired by the interplay of light and shadow. The magnificent gold façade, shaped like a bowl, highlights motifs and elements from the golden age of artistic expression in the Islamic world.
“Norman Foster, the main architect behind the stadium, studied hand-carved Islamic antiques and focused on merging a golden vase and the fanar lantern into the stadium design, leading to the magnificent venue we see today,” said Tamim El Abed, Operations Manager, Lusail Stadium.
Capacity
The venue will host 80,000 fans during Qatar 2022.
Transport
The stadium is within walking distance of Lusail QNB station on the Doha Metro Red Line. Drivers can access the stadium from the Al Khor Expressway. After the World Cup, people will be able to reach the stadium using the Lusail Light Rail Tram.
Legacy
Post-2022, Lusail Stadium will be transformed into a community hub featuring civic facilities, including affordable housing units, shops, schools, cafes, sporting facilities and medical clinics.
The stadium’s upper-tier will be re-purposed into outdoor terraces for new homes. Any materials removed will be donated to countries in need of sporting infrastructure.
Sustainability
Sustainability has formed a crucial part of the construction process and Lusail Stadium recently received a five-star rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System.
The most notable sustainability feature is the arena’s roof, which is made from a state-of-the-art material called Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This protects the venue from warm wind, resists dust and allows enough light to enter the pitch, while also providing shade.
Another sustainability feature is the water-efficient fixtures and leak detection systems operating inside the stadium. Moreover, the construction site conserves 40% more fresh water than conventional stadium developments.
Project manager and contractor
The Lusail Stadium project was managed by TiME Qatar. HBK Contracting Co. WLL and China Railway Construction Corporation Limited were the main project contractors. Tamim El Abed is the Operations Manager at Lusail Stadium.
Tournament mode
During the FIFA World Cup™, Lusail Stadium will host ten matches, including the final.
22 November: Argentina v Saudi Arabia (Group C)
24 November: Brazil v Serbia (Group G)
26 November: Argentina v Mexico (Group C)
28 November: Portugal v Uruguay (Group H)
30 November: Saudi Arabia v Mexico (Group C)
2 December: Cameroon v Brazil (Group G)
6 December: Round of 16
9 December: Quarter-final
13 December: Semi-final
18 December: Final
