Finally, we come to our last featured stadium for FIFA World Cup 2021 – LUSAIL STADIUM. Located in Al Daayen section which is part of the developed Lusail City, the new Lusail Stadium is one of the primary stadiums of Qatar’s World Cup and will host the final ceremony for the 2022 tournament.
Just a week ago in 1st April 2022, “FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final Draw which was held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, resulted in strong groups competing, with 32 teams looking to win the title on Sunday, Dec. 18, at Lusail Stadium,” according to a leading news daily. More details here:
As of press time, Lusail stadium is yet to be inaugurated but is already according to Mr. Khalid Al Mawlawi, Deputy Director-General, Marketing, Communications and Event Experience at the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.
“…The inauguration is not yet decided, but I’ll say the stadium itself is ready to be inaugurated anytime. It’s a question of the right time to do that, although it is ready. Most of our infrastructure has been completed,” – https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/
Quick Information about LUSAIL STADIUM:
| Location (click here): | Lusail City, approximately 15km north of central Doha |
| Gross capacity: | 80,000 |
| Start of Construction: Date Opened: | 11 April 2017 (ground breaking) to be opened soon |
| Matches planned: | All matches through to the final match |
What is the Architectural Inspiration of Lusail Stadium?
| Shape: | The design of this magnificent stadium is inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterises the fanar lantern. Its shape and façade echo the intricate decorative motifs on bowls, vessels and other art pieces found across the Arab and Islamic world during the rise of civilisation in the region. |
| Special Features: | Crowning the elaborate stadium façade will be a roof that represents the leading edge in engineering and construction techniques. Manufactured from materials carefully chosen to provide shade, the roof will still admit just the right amount of sunlight to nourish the first-rate playing surface. At night, an advanced lighting system will maximise the interaction of the light and openings in the façade, mimicking the welcoming glow of a fanar lantern for approaching fans. |
| Contractors: | Turner International Middle East (TiME) Qatar are the project management consultants responsible for making this extraordinary vision a reality. |
| Estimated Cost: | $ 767 mln |
How to get to Lusail Stadium?
Doha Metro –The nearest station is Lusail Metro Station (Red line) which is a 10-minute walk from the stadium. Stadium Express Buses will operate between dedicated Stadium Express Bus Hubs.
Taxi drop-off/ pick up –Taxi and shared ride drop-off and pick-up is close to the stadium.
Car Parking (General admission fans) –is located close to the stadium. Accessible parking options will be available.
What are the Hotels and Leisure areas near Lusail Stadium?
| Hotels: | Water Front Hotel Qatar Staybridge Suites – Doha Lusail Cielo Hotel Lusail Qatar Mondrian Doha Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas The Ritz-Carlton, Doha Hilton Doha The Pearl Hotel & Residences Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl Sedra Arjaan by Rotana |
| Malls: | Place Vendome (soon to open) Lagoona Mall |
| Hospital/Clinic: | The View Hospital Marble Medical Center Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine (AMNM) DOC Medical Center – Lusail |
| Other Tourist Spots: | Lusail Marina Promenade Lusail Food Park The Pearl area Katara |
What are the plans for Lusail Stadium after FIFA 2022?
Once the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ is over, Lusail Stadium will be transformed into a community space including schools, shops, cafés, sporting facilities and health clinics. This multi-purpose community hub will allow people to find everything they need under one roof – the original roof of the football stadium.
During the conversion, most of the stadium’s 80,000 seats will be removed and donated to sporting projects, taking this arena’s extraordinary legacy – and a little bit of FIFA World Cup™ history – to locations around the globe.
After most of the seats have been removed from Lusail Stadium, a remarkable transformation will take place. A school, affordable housing, shops, cafés and even health clinics are some of the facilities that could appear under the arena’s roof, turning the venue into a unique community hub for the fast-growing city that surrounds it, and for Qatar more generally. The remaining seating from the upper tier will be cleverly integrated into outdoor terraces for new homes.
Keeping these seats and the roof of the stadium intact will supply a constant reminder of this place’s glorious sporting history. In addition, the potential inclusion of a community football pitch will continue Lusail Stadium’s footballing story – and reinforce our commitment to supporting the grassroots game.
Beginning with environmentally friendly building practices and energy conservation, and ending with its donation of seating and integration into the neighbourhood, this venue will become a model of sustainable stadium development.
Leading by example will be the final legacy of Lusail Stadium.
Sources:
- https://hukoomi.gov.qa/en/article/world-cup-stadiums
- https://www.qatar2022.qa/en/stadiums/lusail-stadium
- https://www.qatar2022.qa/en/transport/getting-to-stadiums
- https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/06/02/2022/sc-official-lusail-stadium-to-be-inaugurated-soon
- http://stadiumdb.com/designs/qat/lusail_stadium
- https://www.qatar2022.qa/en/news/Doha-hosts-glittering-final-draw-ceremony-with-distinctly-Qatari-and-Arab-flavour
