August 21 – Qatar has unveiled the design for the sixth of the eight stadia it is building for the 2022 World Cup, the Al Thumama Stadium which is located six kilometres south of central Doha.
The circular 40,000-seat stadium is expected to be completed by 2020 and will host matches up to the quarter final stage in 2022.
Al Thumama Stadium’s design represents the gahfiya – a traditional woven cap worn by males. Following the World Cup the stadium will convert to a 20,000-seat arena, with the removed sections being donated to developing football nations
Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi said: “I am confident that, once completed, Al Thumama Stadium will become a favourite among the region’s sports fans and a sporting landmark that demonstrates to future generations just how unique the Qatar World Cup will be.”
Designed by renowned Qatari architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah, the stadium took its name from the al thumama tree that grows locally.
Located near to the Hamad International Airport, the stadium is on the same site Qatar first demonstrated the prototype of its cooling system using solar energy. The mini-stadium created remains on site and is now a research and study centre.
Following the 2022 World Cup and once a 20,000-seat section has been removed, the space will be filled with a 60-room hotel facing the pitch.
The stadium site will also feature tennis and basketball courts, running and horse riding tracks, and a branch of the sports medicine clinic Aspetar.
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