Qatar Stadium Guide
QATAR WORLD CUP 2022: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
The World Cup, the most prestigious football tournament in the world, returns this winter. The showdown completes its four-year cycle to return this November, a move away from the heat of the Qatari summer. The World Cup is an international football tournament played by men’s national teams from various countries. It is one of the most popular international sporting competitions and over 3.5 billion people tuned in to watch the 2018 tournament. Fans travel from all over the world to watch their favorite teams as they compete against the most talented players in football. In this guide we will take a look at the host nation, the cities and stadiums that will stage this footballing spectacle.
THE WORLD CUP
The tournament was first proposed by Jules Rimet, who wanted to create an international competition between men’s football teams. The first tournament consisted of thirteen teams. The World cup has been played every 4 years since 1930, except in 1942 and 1946 because of World War II. Brazil is the most successful nation in the history of the world cup, never failing to qualify for any tournament and winning five times. They are closely followed by Italy and Germany with four each.
QATAR 2022 WORLD CUP
This next World Cup takes place in Qatar, it will begin on November 21 with the final taking place on December 18. Qatar's subtropical desert climate results in very hot summers, with highs averaging between 90 and 110 degrees. These temperatures make it far from ideal and possibly even dangerous for playing football. As part of their winning bid for hosting the World Cup, Qatar agreed to stage the tournament in November and December, where the typical temperatures are in the 70s and 80s.
STADIUMS TO HOST MATCHES
1. Al Bayt Stadium
Club: Al Khor SC | Opening: 2021 | Capacity: 60,000 seats
History & description
Al Bayt Stadium, also known as Al Khor Stadium, is one of the new stadiums that was built to serve as a playing venue for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Al Bayt Stadium has a capacity of roughly 60,000 seats, divided over three tiers. After the World Cup, the top tier will be removed, reducing capacity to 32,000 seats. During the World Cup, the stadium will host a number of first round group matches, including the opening match, and a round of 16, quarter-final, and semi-final match.
How to get to Al Bayt Stadium
Al Bayt Stadium is located on the south-eastern edge of the small city of Al Khor, which makes it the only FIFA World Cup stadium to not be located in the wider Doha area.
Al Khor City is located in the Persian Gulf roughly 40 kilometers north of Doha. The distance from central Al Khor is about 4 kilometers. Al Khor is not on the Doha metro network. For large events, shuttle buses typically run from Lusail QNB metro station, the northernmost station on the Red Line. The Red Line runs right through central Doha towards Hamad International Airport.
2. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Club: Al Rayyan SC | Opening: 2020 | Capacity: 40,000 seats
History and description
The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, also known as Al Rayyan Stadium, was opened in 2020 and is one of the playing venues of the 2022 World Cup.
The stadium was built in place of the old Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, home of Al Rayyan SC. Initially the plan was to expand and renovate the existing stadium, but in the end they decided to build a new one.
For the World Cup, the stadium will have a capacity of roughly 40,000 seats. After nearly half of those will be removed, resulting in a capacity of 21,000.
During the World Cup, the stadium is set to host five first round group matches and one round of 16 match.
How to get to Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is located in the suburb of Al Rayyan on the eastern edge of the Doha metropolitan area. The distance to central Doha is about 20 kilometers.
You can easily reach the stadium from central Doha by metro. Metro station Al Riffa is located a short walk away from the stadium. It is the last station on the newly-constructed Green line, which can be boarded in central Doha. The journey from Al Bidda station takes about 25 minutes. On the way, you pass Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan. From destinations further north along the bay such as The Pearl a transfer at Al Bidda station is required from the Red line.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is located on the outskirts of Doha close to the desert. It is part of a new development which includes the Mall of Qatar, one of Doha’s largest shopping malls. There are lots of various eating and drinking establishments in the mall and there is one luxury hotel the AlRayyan Hotel Doha, which is also part of the Mall of Qatar.
3. Education City Stadium
Club: none | Opening: 2020 | Capacity: 40,000 seats
History and description
Education City Stadium, also known as Qatar Foundation Stadium, is a venue for the 2022 World Cup. It opened in 2020, the third World Cup stadium to be completed.
Plans for the stadium were presented as part of Qatar’s bid for the World Cup. Ground preparation started in 2014, but it took until the end of 2016 for actual foundation work to start. It officially opened in June 2020 with a special TV program to celebrate. The first match was played a month later.
Education City Stadium is designed to reflect a diamond in the desert and will have a capacity of roughly 40,000 seats. After the tournament, the capacity will be reduced in half to 20,000 seats.
The stadium will host 5 first round group matches, one round of 16 match, and one quarter-final.
How to get to Education City Stadium
Education City Stadium is located in the Education City complex where multiple universities and research institutes are based. The stadium lies in the eastern part of the area, but a local tram service connects with other parts of the complex.
Education City is located in the north-west of Doha (or actual Al Rayyan) at roughly 14 kilometers from central Doha and a similar distance from the West Bay and the Pearl areas further north along the Persian coast.
The stadium can be reached by metro. Station Education City is located a short walk from the stadium. It is on the newly-constructed green line that runs from central Doha towards the east.
There is one main hotel near Education City, the Premier Inn Doha Education City, it is a few kilometers from the stadium so you’ll likely still be taking a taxi to get there (especially if the weather is hot).
4. Khalifa International Stadium
Club: none | Opening: 1976 | Capacity: 40,000 seats
History and description
Khalifa International Stadium has been Qatar’s principal football stadium since 1976. The stadium was built to serve as the flagship venue for the 1976 Gulf Cup that was held in Qatar and could initially hold 20,000 spectators.
Over the years, the stadium has been upgraded several times, most notably for the 2006 Asian Games, which increased capacity to 40,000 seats.
When Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup in 2010, Khalifa International Stadium was naturally proposed as one of the playing venues, though an extensive upgrade was needed. Work on the stadium started in 2014, and included a refurbishment of all stands, additional seating, additional hospitality facilities, and the construction of a large innovative roof membrane that covers 70% of the stadium. The iconic arch of the stadium was replaced with a new one and complemented with a second one.
Work was completed in the summer of 2017, which made it the first 2022 World Cup stadium to be finished.
How to get to Khalifa International Stadium
Khalifa International Stadium is located in the western area of Doha at roughly 10 kilometers from central Doha and 18 kilometers from The Pearl development further north.
The stadium can be reached by metro. Station Sports City is one the newly opened Gold lines that runs through central Doha. Khalifa International Stadium is part of a large development including Qatar’s other Olympic sports facilities (e.g. an aquatics center and indoor hall), the large Villaggio Mall, a park, and the iconic Torch Doha hotel.
The Villaggio Mall houses multiple restaurants of all types including quite a few international chain restaurants from the likes of Shake Shack, Pizza Express, and TGI Fridays.
If you are looking to stay close to the stadium, there are two luxury hotels to choose from: the previously mentioned Torch Doha and the Movenpick Al Aziziyah.
5. Al Thumama Stadium
Club: none | Opening: 2021 | Capacity: 40,000 seats
History and description
Al Thumama Stadium is one of the newly built stadiums for the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Construction of the stadium began in 2017 and took over four years. Al Thumama Stadium officially opened on 22 October 2021 with the 49th Amir Cup Final between Al-Sadd and Al-Rayyan (1-1).
The stadium’s circular design has been inspired by the ghafiya, the traditional woven cap that is commonly worn by men across the Middle East.
During the World Cup, Al Thumama Stadium will host five first round group matches, one round of 16, and one quarter-final. The stadium is also one of the playing venues of the 2021 Arab Cup.
After the World Cup, capacity will be reduced to 20,000 seats by removing the upper tier.
How to get to Al Thumama Stadium
Al Thumama Stadium is located in the south of Doha, about 7 kilometers south of central Doha (the Siu Waqif area).
The stadium is not close to a metro station so either take a taxi or a local bus (or use special shuttle arrangements for the event). If taking the bus, catch bus 10 from Al Ghanim Bus Station near Souq Waqif. The stadium is at almost the end of the line at Al Thumama Bus Stop 7.
Of the 2022 World Cup Stadiums, Al Thumama Stadium is one of the closest to Hamad International Airport.
Al Thumama Stadium is located in the Al Thumama area in southern Doha, a relatively bland residential neighborhood of little interest.
There are not many restaurants or hotels worth noting in the vicinity. If picking a hotel as close as possible to the stadium is your aim, go for one of the many options on the southern side of the Corniche in and around the Souq Waqif area.
6. Lusail Stadium
Club: none | Opening: 2021 | Capacity: 80,000 seats
History and Description
Lusail Stadium, also known as Lusail Iconic Stadium, will be the flagship venue of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The stadium is expected to host the final.
The construction of Lusail Stadium was first proposed in 2010 as part of Qatar’s World Cup bid. Renderings were presented of a stadium with a futuristic glass roof to keep the summer heat away.
In the end, British architecture firm Foster + Partners was chosen to design the stadium. It is expected to have a capacity of around 80,000 seats, which is likely to be reduced after the World Cup.
In 2014, work began on preparing the site of the stadium, and the Chinese contractors were selected in late 2016.
How to get to Lusail Stadium
Located approximately 15 km north of central Doha.
The Lusail Metro Station (red line) is a 10 minute walk from the stadium. There will be shuttles available and also a close taxi and shared ride pickup location by the stadium. If you have your own vehicle there will be car parking available at the stadium.
Every aspect of its planning, from its tram system and plentiful green spaces to this sustainability-focused arena, concentrates on human needs and environmental conservation.
Once the World Cup 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.
7. Al Janoub Stadium
Club: none | Opening: 2019 | Capacity: 40,000 seats
History and Description
Al Janoub Stadium (previously known as Al Wakrah Stadium) was designed and constructed by Zaha Hadid Architects who worked alongside AECOM. Al Wakrah, is one of the oldest inhabited areas of the south of Doha.
Additional sporting facilities being developed in the precinct surrounding the stadium include cycling and running tracks, and a multipurpose indoor arena. A mosque, wedding hall and market are also being constructed.
How to get to Al Janoub Stadium
Located 25km south of central Doha
Shuttle services are provided to and from Al Wakra Metro Station(red line). here. There will also be buses available, along with a taxi and shared ride pickup location close to the stadium. There will be ample vehicle parking available also.
8. Stadium 974 (Ras Abou Aboud)
Club: none | Opening: 2021 | Capacity: 40,000 seats
History and Description
Stadium 974, previously known as Ras Abou Aboud, is inspired by Qatar’s international trade and seafaring. 974 is the international dialing code for Qatar, as well as the exact number of shipping containers used in construction. It will be the first fully demountable tournament venue in FIFA World Cup history.
Designed by Fenwick Iribarren Architects then constructed by HBK Contracting. The structure is located on the shore across Doha's West Bay skyline. Built mostly with shipping containers, it was made with cost efficiency and beauty in mind.
At the completion of the FIFA World Cup, the stadium will be broken down and the area used for a new waterfront community for the locals.
How to get to Stadium 974
Adjacent to the Ras Abu Abboud Expressway. It is the closest stadium to central Doha, located 2km to the south. The Ras Abu Abboud Metro Station (Gold line) is a 10-minute walk from the stadium. There will also be ample stadium buses but a dedicated area for taxi and ride sharing.
It is situated within 4kms of the Hamad International Airport. Also very near to the Doha Airport and the Doha Port.