In a grand celebration at the iconic Temple of Hatshepsut (one of the world’s most striking architectural masterpieces) in Luxor (Egypt), the Egyptian professional football club Al Ahly President Mahmoud El Khatib unveiled the final design of the Al Ahly Stadium, a monumental milestone in the club’s journey.
‘dezeen’ stated that the architecture studio Gensler has unveiled its design for an undulating stadium outside Cairo (Egypt) which will be the first home for the Al-Ahly football club.
‘alahlyegypt.com’ stated that adding to the grandeur of the event, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ trophy made a special appearance as part of its historic tour in Egypt.
The Al-Ahly Sporting Club, commonly known as the Al-Ahly, is an Egyptian professional sports club based in Cairo, Egypt. The club is mainly known for its professional football team which currently plays in the Egyptian Premier League, the highest tier of the Egyptian football league system.
The Cairo International Stadium, formerly known as the Nasser Stadium, is an Olympic-standard, multiuse stadium with an all-seated capacity of 75,000. It serves as the home ground of the Al Ahly Sporting Club.
San Francisco (US)-based Gensler is a global architecture, design and planning firm with 57 locations across the Americas, Europe, Greater China, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Founded in 1965, Gensler has built a team of 6,000 professionals who partner with clients in over 100 countries each year. Gensler believes that the power of design can spark positive change and create a future that promotes equity, resilience and well-being for everyone.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ is the planned 21st edition of the FIFA Club World Cup™, an international club soccer competition organized by FIFA. The tournament is scheduled to be played in the United States from June 14th-July 13th, 2025.
Collaborating with the engineering firm Buro Happold and the football team’s investor El Qalaa El Hamraa the 42,000-seat stadium will feature a curving asymmetric façade and a sunken football pitch.
Bath (UK)-based Buro Happold is an international, integrated consultancy of engineers, designers and advisers. For over 45 years, they have built an unrivaled reputation by delivering creative, value-led solutions for the benefit of the people, the places and the planet.
Designed as a landmark building for the wider Al-Ahly Club Sports City master plan it will be the first home stadium for Egpyt’s top-tier Al-Ahly club and is set to host other large-scale events throughout the year.
Located near Sphinx International Airport between Cairo and Alexandria, Gensler designed the stadium’s pitch to be submerged into the ground to comply with height restrictions due to the flight paths.
‘Gensler’ stated that 30 years in the making the design marks a transformative opportunity for Al-Ahly to finally have a stadium they can call their own – a home that captures the passion of their fans. The 42,000-seat stadium serves as a gateway to Egypt’s bustling capital located along the motorway connecting Cairo and Alexandria. One of the stadium’s defining architectural features is its massive structural arch which makes it instantly recognizable from all viewpoints.
The design features several innovative solutions and embedded technology. The design team integrated a sunken pitch and asymmetric bowl due to height restrictions imposed by the flight paths with the nearby Sphinx International Airport. This creates a dynamic matchday atmosphere while also leveraging the cooler earth temperatures to reduce ambient heat, achieving sustainability through passive design measures. The integration of a digital façade with options for digital projections transforms the stadium into an iconic landmark illuminating Cairo’s skyline at night.
‘Gensler’ further stated that central to the design is the inclusion of a variety of experiences for the Al-Ahly fans. On arrival, the fans are welcomed in the vibrant ‘Owners’ Plaza’, a dynamic space that sets the tone for the entire stadium visit. With room for 30,000 fans it features social areas, a team shop, cafes, and the Al-Ahly Museum. Inside, double-tiered stands will amplify the energy of the supporters and will ensure most fans are close to the action. The premium areas like The Field VIP offer an exclusive atmosphere with gourmet dining, access to the players’ tunnel and prime seating allowing the guests to enjoy matchday in comfort and style.
The Al-Ahly Stadium will anchor a transformative Sports City master plan which includes a university, hospital and mosque enhancing Giza’s and Cairo’s tourism portfolio. With multifunctional spaces that can host the national events and concerts the stadium aims to become a dynamic, year-round venue that transcends football and drives significant economic growth in the region by attracting the sports fans, the tourists and the eventgoers.
Added Tayomara Gama, Gensler’s Europe Sports Leader, “By overcoming the site challenges and integrating sustainable, cutting-edge solutions our design aims to create a landmark venue that embodies the spirit of the club and acts as a cultural and economic catalyst for the region leaving a lasting impact both in Egypt and beyond.”
‘alahlyegypt.com’ further stated that the long-awaited stadium will feature 72 elite ‘VVIP’ suites, 80 luxurious ‘VIP’ Boxes, 73 premium suites, and official club stores offering fans an immersive matchday experience like never before.
One of the stadium’s standout features is its track-free design ensuring an electrifying atmosphere by bringing fans closer than ever to the action.
The North Stand, a fortress of the fans’ unwavering support, will accommodate 11,000 fans creating a cauldron of energy that embodies the heartbeat of Al Ahly’s supporters.
During the ceremony, El Khatib revealed the stadium’s construction timeline set for completion in 200 weeks (approximately four years). With the countdown officially underway he signaled the start of excavation marking the beginning of a new era for the African Club of The Century.
This historic project cements Al Ahly’s vision for the future, an architectural masterpiece that will stand as a symbol of the club’s greatness, its unwavering fan base and its relentless pursuit of excellence.
‘dezeen’ quoted Russell Gilchrist, Gensler Principal, as stating, “Our vision for Al-Ahly’s first home was to create a place where every fan feels connected. By introducing innovative approaches to the site we conceptualized a design that ensures the stadium will be one of the most distinctive in the world. From the sunken bowl to the iconic structural arch every element was conceived to deliver an unparalleled experience.”
The stadium’s curving façades will be clad in digital screens that will illuminate to create light shows at night intended to be seen from above by the incoming flights.
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