Dubai announces futuristic $816m Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Stadium project

Dubai is set to build a landmark stadium with a seating capacity of 60,000, according to latest media reports. The stadium, which will cost AED 3 billion ($816 million), will be named after the Gulf emirates’ ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE.

The state-of-the-art facility will be built in Al Aweer area of Dubai, UAE’s WAM news agency reported.

Gulf News reported that Sheikh Mohammed expressed satisfaction at the project after being introduced to the stadium’s innovative design as he inspected models of the stadium at the Meydan Hotel on May 4. He was briefed by Mattar al Tayer, vice-chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, on the stadium, which will be unique for its design, total area and the use of the latest technologies in the implementation.

The stadium is unique for its design and will add a new landmark imprint in Dubai as it will be the world’s first high stadium with a half-ball shape.

Being fully air-conditioned, the stadium totally conforms to all specifications set by FIFA. All elements of sustainability were taken into consideration as the stadium will have green, shaded areas that ensure the comfort of visitors.

The stadium, which will have 23,116 upper bleacher seats, 1,642 seats for VIP suite and another 8,941 VIP seats as well as other 6,688 lower bleacher seats, will be implemented by the Dar Group and Perkins+Will, an American architecture and design firm. It will also feature sport facilities which include a warm up area, athletic training hall and 5,000 parking spaces as well as sport museum stretching over 1,500 square metres.

It will also include a 3,500 square metre multi-purpose hall, exhibition halls and conference facilities as well as a long corridor, which will have many shops and restaurants, Al Tayer was quoted as saying by Gulf News. He said that all safety and security requirements of the spectators were taken into consideration.

WAM added that Sheikh Mohammed applauded the design and ordered execution of the project according to scheduled timeline, without giving a date for its completion.

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