The FIFA World Cup in Qatar is just around the corner and the country continues to prepare for what is said to be a unique spectacle of all. The Khalifa International Stadium Qatar which is also one of the most historic stadiums in the country is set to be one of the venues once the FIFA World Cup kicks off in the winter of 2022. A lively atmosphere, world-class facilities, and seating arrangements would be some of the highlights once the greatest footballing competition on earth kicks off here.
So, let’s dive deep and understand more about the iconic Khalifa International Stadium located in the heart of Qatar.
Why Is The Khalifa International Stadium In Doha So Popular In Qatar?
One of the most prestigious stadiums in Qatar, the Khalifa Stadium in Doha is more than just a FIFA World Cup venue in Qatar. This is an arena that carries immense significance and has been host to some crucial matches over the years. Nestled in Al Rayyan and built in 1976, the stadium has arguably proved to be the cornerstone in the sporting culture of Qatar.
In fact, the Khalifa Stadium Doha has played a big hand in keeping the hopes of people alive who ever dreamt of a promising sporting future of the country.
Besides, here are some of the top things that specify the significance of Qatar Khalifa Stadium in Doha.
- One of the biggest reasons why the Stadium is regarded as one of the best stadiums in Qatar is because of its rich sporting history. The venue has previously hosted the AFC Asian Cup final in 2011, a spectacle that saw Japan emerge victorious by defeating Australia by a goal to nil in extra time.
- The Stadium has also hosted a number of friendlies in the past, most notably the one played between England and Brazil.
- Competitions like Arabian Gulf Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the IAAF World Athletics Championships have already been hosted by this Qatar International Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Key Takeaway: - One notable point in the history of Khalifa International Stadium Doha came when the stadium hosted the final of the Emir Cup in May 2017 along with a number of matches during the FIFA Club World Cup in the country.
FIFA World Cup Matches To Take Place At Khalifa International Stadium
The Khalifa Stadium in Doha would be host to some crucial encounters during the FIFA World Cup, and here are some of the matches that will be played at the stadium.
Key Details About The Khalifa Stadium In Doha, Qatar
There are certain things that travelers need to know about as far as the Khalifa Stadium is concerned. From its design to its seating capacity, and so much more, the arena has it all. Here are some of the things you need to know about.
Seating Capacity Of The Stadium
The Khalifa Stadium Doha would be one of the best places to visit in Qatar once the world cup kicks off in the country. Although the stadium has an original seating capacity of 40,000, this seating capacity would be increased to 52,000 in accordance with the FIFA protocols of minimum seating capacity for the world cup.
Most Commutable Stadium In The Country
Now here's a thing, the Qatar Khalifa Stadium would be the most commutable stadium in the country, thanks to its location. In fact, as per an estimate, people traveling from Bahrain would be able to reach the stadium in no time via rail.
Design Of Khalifa International Stadium Doha
Another significant point to note about the Stadium is its striking design. The arena features two dual arches and a wide canopy stretching below the arches. There are cooling systems installed in the stadium that are assisted well by the canopies.
Besides these features, the Stadium in Doha has a new facade that has been added while the LED pitch lighting and digital floodlights add a whole new dimension to the arena. Hence, as far as design goes, the Khalifa Stadium in Doha has it all.
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Sustainability Of Khalifa Stadium In Doha, Qatar
If there's one thing that Qatar has laid utmost stress on, it's sustainability. Right since the preparations for the FIFA World Cup began in the country, the country has left no stones unturned in achieving the highest standards of sustainability, and the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha is a part of that. In fact, this is amongst those stadiums in the nation that have received the Global Sustainability Assessment System Certification for tremendous efforts in minimizing the environmental impact.
Here are some additional details you need to know
- Thanks to the transport system laid down by Qatar ahead of the upcoming world cup, traveling to the Stadium would be an environmentally friendly affair. As the competition kicks off, fans would travel to the venue via bus or the Doha metro which would mean fewer cars on the road. This, in turn, would minimize the carbon footprint on a considerable level. As believed by experts, the Doha Metro is going to play a huge role in this regard.
- Qatar is a desert nation and the heat during day times can be hard to bear. Hence, one of the biggest challenges in front of Qatar would be countering the soaring temperatures. The Khalifa Stadium in Doha has in-built cooling systems that would maintain comfortable temperatures within the venue. These cooling systems would play a big hand in minimizing the heat while for the environmental impact of cooling systems, there are canopies that have been set up in the stadium which also assist the cooling systems and minimize the environmental impact.
- Even the smallest of points have been taken care of by Qatar as far as sustainability is concerned. With energy-saving lighting and bathroom fittings being set up in the stadium, the effort has been tremendous and would greatly enhance the measures taken for sustainability.
The Future Of Khalifa International Stadium Doha After The FIFA World Cup
Every venue that would host a match during the World Cup in Qatar would have a certain legacy to take forward. As for the Doha Khalifa Stadium, this venue would be one of the best places to visit in Doha even after the world cup, and the reasons behind that are obvious. The stadium would be part of a lasting legacy that would go beyond the borders. So, here's how the future of the arena would shape up after the FIFA World Cup.
- A healthy lifestyle and sporting culture have been the key points in driving Qatar's National Vision 2030 and the Khalifa Stadium in Qatar would certainly promote that. The stadium is part of the Aspire Zone Project and would play a big hand in achieving the national vision of the country.
- Once the world cup gets over, facilities like Hamad Aquatic Centre, Aspire Park, and specialist women's sports centers would come in at the Aspire Zone which would be a huge addition to the facilities.
- Aspire Academy, a state of the art education and training center would find its home at the Aspire Zone. This would, in turn, attract athletes from around the world and would be a big step forward in attracting generational talents from around the country.
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Timeline Of The Khalifa International Stadium Qatar Ahead Of The World Cup
A significant point to note about the Khalifa International Stadium is its timeline. A stadium that first hosted the golf cup in 1976 is now ready to host world football's greatest competition. Here is the timeline of the stadium.
- The Khalifa International Stadium in Doha was first constructed for the 1976 Golf Cup.
- Qatar lifted its first-ever Arabian Golf Cup trophy at this very venue. The country achieved this triumph in 1992.
- In 2006, the Khalifa Stadium hosted the Asian Games. It was, in fact, the first time when all 45 members of the Olympic Council Of Asia participated in the games.
- November 2014 was the month when the new design of the stadium was unveiled. This was also the month when the arena hosted the 22nd Gulf Cup in Riyadh.
- The summer of 2014 marked the beginning of renovation work at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Interesting Fact: - One of the key takeaways from the renovation work of Khalifa International Stadium Doha is its outer façade which was completely replaced.
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Closest Hotels To Khalifa Stadium In Doha
Fancy staying close to the stadium? Here are some closely located hotels to the Qatar Khalifa Stadium in Doha.
1. The Torch Doha
One of the finest hotels in Qatar, the Torch Doha is a flagship project nestled in the heart of Aspire Zone in Qatar. Offering panoramic views of the city, the hotel is approximately 300m high and features 162 modern rooms and suites which are equipped with all modern amenities. Want to treat your taste buds? Torch Doha features 3 top of the line restaurants and a range of leisure facilities.
If luxury is what you're looking for, Torch Doha has more than a thing or two for you. With modern rooms featuring the technology additions and the hotel's iconic silhouette that offers a fine kinetic display at night, the Torch Doha has much more than what a traveler would want. In addition to its range of services, the hotel offers additional facilities like personal airport greeting and limousine service, non-smoking floors, 24-hour room service, valet parking, wifi access, and so much more. One major highlight? Well, the Torch Doha offers direct air-conditioned access to the Villaggio Mall where a pure Venetian vibe awaits you. So, what's making you wait? Book your stay at the Torch Doha and be a part of an amazing staycation experience here.
Address - Al Waab St, Doha, Qatar
TripAdvisor Rating - 4.5
Distance From Khalifa Stadium Doha - 0.3 KM
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2. Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel
Another eye-catching hotel that is located in the Aspire Zone, the Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel is an urban country estate that boasts of its Victorian style and luxurious rooms. Although the suites have been designed traditionally, the elements of luxury are quite evident here. Featuring a total of 139 rooms across 3 categories, this is a hotel that has it all.
The best part? The hotel is located only 1.3 KM away from the Khalifa International Stadium which makes it one of the closest accommodation options to the stadium. Al Aziziyah has a wide range of dining options that are perfect for your different dining needs. In fact, apart from its many facilities, the hotel even features an outdoor recreation center that has an outdoor swimming pool and swim-up kids' pool. Want to conduct a meeting? Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel features several meeting rooms and conference spaces which are perfect to meet your business requirements and come with a variety of facilities. So, what's making you wait? Book your stay at Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel and relish luxury close to the Khalifa International Stadium.
Address - Al Henaizbiah St, Doha, Qatar
TripAdvisor Rating - 4.5
Distance From Khalifa International Stadium Doha - 1.3 KM
How To Reach Khalifa International Stadium?
Reaching the Khalifa international stadium in Qatar isn’t a big hassle for travelers. The stadium is located in close proximity to most popular locations in Qatar and has many buses and taxis operating on the route. In fact, since the arrival of Doha metro in the country, traveling has become much easier in Qatar. The Doha Metro is, in fact, set to ferry an estimated one million passengers during the world cup. A lot of them would be traveling to the Khalifa stadium when the competition kicks off. Ideally, it takes about 13 to 15 minutes for travelers to reach the Khalifa International Stadium from Doha. One can take the Salwa Rd and Al Waab St route in order to reach here.
A sporting arena that has played a major role in Qatar's sporting history, the Khalifa International Stadium Qatar has more than one can possibly expect. This is a world cup venue that is waiting to host the biggest competition on earth and has seen a makeover in recent times. Having achieved the Global Sustainability Assessment System Certification for tremendous efforts in minimizing the environmental impact, this is an arena that is more than just a footballing venue.
So, are you excited about the upcoming world cup in Doha? Plan your 2022 FIFA, book your flight to Qatar and come witness a month-long carnival like no other.
Khalifa International Stadium Qatar - FAQs
One of the most prestigious stadiums in Qatar, the Stadium in Doha is more than just a FIFA World Cup venue in Qatar. This is an arena that carries immense significance and has been host to some crucial matches over the years. Built in 1976, the stadium has arguably proved to be the cornerstone in the sporting culture of Qatar.
Yes, the Khalifa International Stadium is one of the few stadiums in Qatar that have received the Global Sustainability Assessment System Certification for tremendous efforts in minimizing the environmental impact. It is part of the Aspire Project in Qatar.
Reaching the Khalifa international stadium in Qatar isn’t a big hassle for travelers. The stadium is located in close proximity to most popular locations in Qatar and has many buses and taxis operating on the route. In fact, since the arrival of Doha metro in the country, traveling has become much easier in Qatar. Ideally, it takes about 13 to 15 minutes for travelers to reach the Khalifa International Stadium from Doha. One can take the Salwa Rd and Al Waab St route in order to reach here.
A healthy lifestyle and sporting culture have been the key points in driving Qatar's National Vision 2030 and the Khalifa Stadium in Qatar would certainly promote that. The stadium is part of the Aspire Zone Project and would play a big hand in achieving the national vision of the country. Once the world cup gets over, facilities like Hamad Aquatic Centre, Aspire Park, and specialist women's sports centers would come in at the Aspire Zone which would be a huge addition to the facilities.
Qatar is a desert nation and the heat during day times can be hard to bear. Hence, one of the biggest challenges in front of Qatar would be countering the soaring temperatures. The Khalifa Stadium in Doha has in-built cooling systems that would maintain comfortable temperatures within the venue. These cooling systems would play a big hand in minimizing the heat while for the environmental impact of cooling systems, there are canopies that have been set up in the stadium which also assist the cooling systems and minimize the environmental impact.
The Khalifa Stadium features two dual arches and a wide canopy stretching below the arches. There are cooling systems installed in the stadium that are assisted well by the canopies. Besides these features, this stadium in Doha has a new facade that has been added while the LED pitch lighting and digital floodlights add a whole new dimension to the arena. Hence, as far as design goes, the Khalifa Stadium in Doha has it all.
The Khalifa Stadium Doha would be one of the best places to visit in Qatar once the world cup kicks off in the country. Although the stadium has an original seating capacity of 40,000, this seating capacity would be increased to 52,000 in accordance with the FIFA protocols of minimum seating capacity for the world cup.
Here are some of the top hotels to stay near Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar - The Torch Doha; Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel; Wyndham Grand Regency Doha; Doubletree by Hilton Doha; Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel.
If luxury is what you're looking for, Torch Doha has more than a thing or two for you. With modern rooms featuring the technology additions and the hotel's iconic silhouette that offers a fine kinetic display at night, the Torch Doha has much more than what a traveler would want. In addition to its range of services, the hotel offers additional facilities like personal airport greeting and limousine service, non-smoking floors, 24-hour room service, valet parking, wifi access, and so much more.
Yes, the venue has previously hosted the AFC Asian Cup final in 2011, a spectacle that saw Japan emerge victorious by defeating Australia by a goal to nil in extra time. Likewise, the stadium has also hosted a number of friendlies in the past, most notably the one played between England and Brazil. Competitions like the Arabian Gulf Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the IAAF World Athletics Championships have already been hosted by this Qatar International Stadium in Al Rayyan.