The six stadiums for 2019 Asian Cup

In less than four years, the UAE is poised to host its largest and most prestigious football tournament – the 2019 Asian Cup. The Asian Cup was last held in the UAE in 1996, when Saudi Arabia defeated the hosts in the final, via a penalty shootout. The 2019 Asian Cup has been expanded from 16 national teams to 24.

The UAE has previously organised a series of high-profile football events including the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship, the 2009 and 2010 FIFA Club World Cups and the 2013 FIFA Under 17 World Cup.

The 2019 Asian Cup matches will be spread across six stadiums in three cities:

 
ABU DHABI

Zayed Sports City – Located in the heart of the UAE capital, Zayed Sports City is the leading destination for sports and entertainment in the UAE. The stadium was initially inaugurated in 1980 but went in for a renovation in 2009. The total seating capacity is 44,789

Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium – Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium. It is currently used mostly for football and cricket matches and is the home ground of Al Jazira Club. The stadium was launched in 1980 with a seating capacity of 15,000 increased to 24,000 in 2006 and further raised to 42,056 in 2010.

 
AL AIN

Hazza bin Zayed Stadium – Hazza bin Zayed Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium. It is the home stadium of Al Ain FC of the UAE Pro-League. The stadium holds 25,000 spectators and opened in 2014.

Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium – Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium. The 20,563-seater stadium is used mostly for football matches and is one of the home grounds of Al Ain FC.

 
DUBAI

Dubai International Stadium – Previously known as Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium. It is mainly used for cricket and is one of three stadiums in the country, the other two being Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. It has a capacity of 25,000 spectators, but is expandable to 30,000 spectators. It is a part of the Dubai Sports City in Dubai.

Dubai Football Stadium (proposed) – Dubai has launched a competition to design a 60,000-seater stadium that will be built in the emirate to stage matches at soccer’s 2019 Asian Cup. While some reports suggest the new stadium will be built in or near Dubai Sports City, which is already home to a 25,000-capacity cricket stadium that is also expected to host matches at the 2019 tournament, other reports say the proposal is for a standalone venue close to the Hamdan Swimming Complex on Al Ain Road.

Abu Dhabi Sports Council will be imparting more information on the venues beginning of November, exclusively at the global stadium conference series, 5th Coliseum Summit MENA, to be held at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain, UAE.

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