Architecture of the Eight Stadiums of FIFA WORLD CUP 2022

The history of Qatar and FIFA World Cup 2022 will be rewritten when the world comes to the country to experience World-class stadiums and the culture of hospitality of the Middle East. We take you through the architecture of the eight spectacular stadiums of FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar.

It has been a proud moment for SCALE, as we have been privy to most of the preparations in the last ten years for the delivery of a world-class football experience.

Here are the eight stadiums and an updated travel guide to the stadiums:

Al Bayt Stadium
Capacity: 60,000
Distance from Doha city centre: 43km (27 miles)
Designer: Dar Al-Handasah
Host of the Opening Match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
First Match: Qatar vs Ecuador on November 20, 2022

A remarkable sight of a desert tent will welcome fans to Al Bayt Stadium. Designed to represent Arab hospitality, the venue will host nine matches through to the semi-finals stage of Qatar 2022 and is covered by a structure resembling a traditional Arab tent known as ‘bayt al sha’ar’, complete with a state-of-the-art retractable roof.

Inspired by Qatar’s nomadic people, the stadium’s tent structure envelopes an ultra-modern football stadium. Traditionally, the tents are identified by black and white stripes. This is reflected on the arena’s distinctive exterior, as are the vibrant sadu patterns that greet fans once inside.

Sustainability was paramount in Al Bayt Stadium’s development and the upper tier was designed to be removed after the tournament – allowing the recommissioning of seats.

How to get to Al Bayt? Take the Red Line to Lusail QNB Metro Station, take the shuttle bus S950/ Walk 15 to 20mts to Stadium
If you are driving in your car, spectator parking is a 20mts plus walking distance
Buses are available through Stadium Express Buses

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: Ramboll
Distance from Doha city centre: 22km (14 miles)
Stadium inaugurated in December 2020

Located in Al Rayyan, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is built on the site of a deconstructed stadium, with the new venue adjacent to the Mall of Qatar and within walking distance of Al Riffa Station – on Doha Metro’s Green Line.

The intricate façade reflects the undulations of sand dunes while intricate geometric patterns reflect the beauty of the desert, native flora and fauna, as well as local and international trade. It is the perfect home for Al Rayyan SC when the tournament ends.  The stadium’s glowing façade  comprises of patterns that characterise different aspects of Qatar: the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, native flora and fauna, and local and international trade. A fifth shape – a shield – brings together all the others, representing the strength and unity that is particularly relevant to the desert city of Al Rayyan.

The venue will host seven matches during Qatar 2022 up to the round of 16 stage

How to get there: Take the Green line to Al Riffa Mall of Qatar Metro Station  which is a minimum of a 15-minute walk from the stadium.

Al Janoub Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Design inspired by: Dame Zaha Hadid
Distance from Doha city centre: 23km (14 miles)
Stadium inaugurated in May 2019

Located in Al Wakrah with a design inspired by the late British-Iraqi architect Dame Zaha Hadid, and is said to be the last design she worked on before she passed away. the futuristic Al Janoub Stadium will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022. The design is inspired by the sails of traditional dhow boats – in tribute to Al Wakrah’s seafaring past. An innovative cooling system and retractable roof mean the stadium can be used all year round.

How to get there: Get the Red Line to Al Wakra Metro Station and walk to Stadium or take Shuttle Bus S920

Al Thumama Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: Arab Engineering Bureau
Distance from Doha city centre: 13km (8 miles)
Stadium Inaugurated on: October 21, 2021

The design of Al Thumama Stadium is inspired by the ‘gahfiya’, a traditional woven cap worn for centuries by men across the Arab world. It is the first FIFA World Cup venue to be designed by a Qatari architect – Ibrahim M. Jaidah. The stadium will host eight matches up to the quarter-finals stage during Qatar 2022.

“It is the coming together of all entities that was a learning curve for each one of us, that has made this engineering and architectural marvel a reality,” said Ibrahim Jaidah.

How to get there: Get the Red line to Free Zone Metro Stadium, take Shuttle Bus S980 or walk to Stadium 20mts walk.

Education City Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: FIA Fenwick Iribarren Architects
Distance from Doha city centre: 12km (7 miles)
Stadium inaugurated in June 2020

Education City Stadium is located at the heart of Qatar Foundation – a vibrant centre for knowledge and innovation where this ultramodern arena is a fitting addition and lasting symbol of sustainability. The stadium will host eight matches up to the quarter-finals stage during Qatar 2022.

The stadium became the first Qatar 2022 tournament venue to receive a five-star GSAS sustainability rating. More recently, Education City hosted matches in the West Zone of the 2020 AFC Champions League and was also a venue for the East Zone portion of the competition. The stadium will host matches during the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2020™, including the final.

How to get there: Take the Green Line to Education City Metro Station and walk for 15minutes from Station

Khalifa International Stadium
Capacity: 40,000
Distance from Doha city centre: 13km (8 miles)
Stadium inaugurated in May 2017

On 19 May 2017, Khalifa International Stadium became the first Qatar 2022 stadium to open when it hosted the Amir Cup final in front of more than 40,000 fans. Located in Aspire Zone, the historic venue has previously hosted the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup. The stadium is set to host eight matches up to the third-place play-off during Qatar 2022.

How to get there: Take the Gold Line to Sports City Metro Station for a 10mts walk.

Lusail Stadium
Capacity: 80,000
Designer: Foster + Partners
Distance from Doha city centre: 16km (10 miles)
Stadium Inaugurated: September 9, 2022
Will Host the Final on December 18, 2022

The 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium will embody Qatar’s ambition, along with its passion for sharing Arab culture with the world. The design of this magnificent stadium is inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterises the fanar lantern. The venue will also become the centrepiece of Lusail – a newly built, state-of-the-art metropolis, designed specifically with residents’ needs in mind. The stadium will host ten matches up to and including the final of Qatar 2022.

How to get there: Take the Red Line to Lusail QNB Metro Station for a 15mt walk.

STADIUM 974
Capacity: 40,000
Designer: FIA Fenwick Iribarren Architects
Distance from Doha city centre: 10km (6 miles)
Inauguarated on:November 30, 2021

Formerly known as Ras Abu Aboud, the Stadium 974 is made primarily from shipping containers and is located close to Doha Port, directly opposite the spectacular West Bay skyline. The innovative design means this is the first fully demountable stadium in FIFA World Cup™ history.
The stadium’s new name reflects the number of shipping containers used in the development and is also Qatar’s international dialing code. The name also reflects the stadium’s location as the gateway to Qatar, being close to Hamad International Airport, Doha Airport, and Hamad Port.
Stadium 974 will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022.

How to get there? Take the Red Line to Free Zone Metro Station and  take the Shuttle Bus S 980