Khalifa International, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Doha, Qatar. It is used mostly for association football matches, hosting the home games of Qatari club Al-Sadd SC and the Qatar national team.
Originally opened in 1976, it was given a massive overhaul ahead of the 2006 Asian Games, and then renovated again for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the renovations completed in 2017. The updated stadium now has a seating capacity of 40,000. The stadium was designed by Dar Al-Handasah and had a construction cost of approximately $90 million.
A FIFA World Cup Stadium, Khalifa International is one of the main venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including the quarterfinals and other key matches. The stadium has also hosted the AFC Asian Cup, Gulf Cup, and the Arab Games, as well as the IAAF World Athletics Championships in 2019. It was also the first stadium in the world to receive a five-star rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS). By the time of the World Cup, Khalifa International will have welcomed millions of spectators from all over the world. After the World Cup, the stadium will continue to serve as a major venue for local and international sports events.
While the previous Qatar stadium was also officially named 'Khalifa Stadium', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Khalifa International Stadium. Khalifa is the name of the neighborhood the stadium was built on, located in the Aspire Zone, in the Baaya district, which itself derives its name from the nearby Aspire Park. This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction; the people of Doha used to simply call it Khalifa ('Caliph'). Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Khalifa International Stadium', which is usually anglicized to 'Stadium of Caliph'. This translation, however, could be argued to be inaccurate, since Khalifa refers not to 'Caliph' but to the original address of the stadium: Aspire Zone.
The Khalifa International Stadium has a long and illustrious history. Originally opened in 1976, it has been the centerpiece of Qatar's sporting tradition for decades. Throughout its history, it has hosted various significant events such as the Gulf Cup, Asian Games, and AFC Asian Cup. In preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the stadium underwent a major renovation to increase its capacity and to install state-of-the-art facilities. The renovation, completed in 2017, resulted in a seating capacity of 40,000. The stadium is equipped with a revolutionary cooling technology to combat Qatar's high temperatures and provide comfort to players and fans.
Among the most notable features of the renovated stadium is a museum of sport and Olympic history. There's also a running track surrounding the football pitch, an homage to the venue's past as an athletics stadium. Another key feature is the installation of an innovative membrane roof, which not only provides shade to spectators but also contributes to the stadium's cooling system. The Khalifa International Stadium is a symbol of Qatar's rapid progress and its growing importance in the global sporting landscape. It stands as a testament to the country's commitment to delivering world-class sporting facilities and events.
An appropriate site, with excellent connectivity and sufficient space for future expansion, was identified in the Aspire Zone in Doha, Qatar. Being situated on the border of the Al Waab and Al Aziziya neighbourhoods, the redeveloped stadium was initially known as 'Stadium of Al Aziziya'.
It has always been the goal of the Qatar Sports Club to own both the stadium and the surrounding land, although initially, a lease was made on the municipal land, with a final buyout occurring only in 2006. The plans for the sports complex had been sketched as early as the late 1990s by a group of renowned architects.
Driven by the club's president, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the associates coped with an increased fee for supporting the building costs for the new stadium, offered large donations, and some even volunteered to work on the construction site during holidays or weekends. There was even a 'steel campaign', whereby large amounts of steel were donated to the club.
The works officially started on 3 March 2003. Less than four years later, and at a cost of 700 million Qatari Riyals, on 10 March 2007, a 50,000-capacity crowd filled the stadium for the inaugural match against Al Sadd Sports Club.
Khalifa International Stadium (1976): This source provides historical background and details on the Khalifa International Stadium, including its construction, renovations, and the various events it has hosted. https://www.qfa.qa/khalifa-international-stadium-1976/
Khalifa International (Al Bayt Stadium) – until 2005: This source offers information about the stadium prior to its 2005 renovations. http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/qat/khalifa_international_stadium
Khalifa's Light Never Diminishes, Preface, Prime Books, 2003: This book offers a detailed history of the Khalifa International Stadium and its significance in Qatar. https://www.primebooks.net/khalifas-light-never-diminishes
Qatar Football Association 100 Glorious Years - The History 1, Edition and Contents, S.A., 2003: This book provides a comprehensive history of football in Qatar, including the role of the Khalifa International Stadium. https://www.qfa.qa/100-glorious-years-the-history-1
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