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Al Thumama Stadium is one of 12 stadiums being built by Qatar in preparation for the 2020 FIFA World Cup. Located 6km from the capital city of Doha, the 40,000-capacity stadium will be the sixth venue for the tournament.

The stadium can accommodate football and other sporting events. It will host World Cup matches up to the quarter-final stage and serve local, regional and international events after the event.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) is executing the project, which is expected to be ready by early-2020. It aims to achieve the Global Sustainability Assessment System Trust’s four-star certification for the stadium by incorporating a range of sustainable features.

Construction works on the stadium commenced with enabling works in mid-2016, which were completed in 2016. Excavation works were ongoing as of August 2017.

Site and location of the new stadium

The Al Thumama stadium is being built on a 51.54ha site located 12km away from the Hamad International Airport and near several metro stations on Qatar Rail’s Red Line.

The location will enable both local and international fans to easily access the stadium during the World Cup.

Al Thumama Stadium design details

The design of the stadium is inspired by gahfiya, the traditional Arabian woven headgear worn by men. The circular stadium features an ultramodern roof and is adorned by an intricate pattern on the exterior, which is found on the gahfiya.

The design symbolises Qatar’s youth and the country’s rise as a key player in the global sporting scene. The stadium includes a 20,000-seat arena, which will be dismantled after the completion of the World Cup and donated to developing countries in Asia and Africa.

The vacant space will be transformed into a 60-room hotel with multi-sport leisure facilities.

Facilities and technology

The stadium will feature international standards of disabled access and will be equipped with a state-of-the-art cooling system, which will enable sporting activities to be held year-round.

A model of the solar-powered cooling system was demonstrated to FIFA in a 500-seat arena. The arena still remains on the site and will be used by the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development to test the technology.

The stadium will include athletics, cycling and equestrian tracks, which can be accessed by elite athletes and recreational users. It will also include facilities for basketball, handball, volleyball, tennis and swimming.

A branch of FIFA-accredited sports medicine clinic, The Aspetar, will be opened at the stadium, which will also feature retail and commercial outlets.

Contractors involved with Al Thumama stadium

The joint venture of AlJaber Engineering and Tekfen Construction were appointed as the main contractors for the stadium in February 2017. Tekfen will provide its expertise in structural steel prefabrication and installation to build the stadium’s facade.

Ibrahim Jaidah Architects and Engineers, a subsidiary of Arab Engineering Bureau (AEB), was contracted to design the stadium. Heerim Architects & Planners served as design consultants for AEB.

Fenwick Iribarren and Schlaich Bergermann Partner are assisting in the stadium design, while Hilson Moran is providing environmental consultancy services.

TiME Qatar was appointed as the project manager for the initial works, while Boom Construction carried out levelling and grading works.