Added seating capacity to accommodate more fans, special LED lighting systems, increased security measures and advanced cooling technologies will be some of the many upgraded features at Doha’s refurbished Khalifa International Stadium set to host the Emir Cup final on Friday, 19 May, 2017.
Officials of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (Supreme Committee), the Government oversight body for monitoring adherence and commissioning, indicated that football giants Al Sadd and Al Rayyan will be the first teams to set the mood and get a feel of the redesigned stadium when they contest the Emir Cup final.
“After months of extensive refurbishment and overhaul around the entire venue, fans will now be able to see for themselves the renovations and refits at the sprawling Khalifa International Stadium, one of the venues of the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” according to Mohammed Amin, project director at the Supreme Committee, The Peninsula has reported.
“We have increased the seating capacity. In the remodelled venue, a new viewing experience awaits the fans. The entire spectator area is now covered by a new roof,” Amin added. The stadium, built in 1976 has undergone periodic renovations and will now host matches in the run-up to the quarter-final stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Khalifa International Stadium will be one of the top 10 stadiums of the world to use LED pitch lighting, similar to those used at top league football stadiums in Western Europe, according to Amin.
The Supreme Committee official informed that the new generation cooling technology is an improved version of one used earlier. It also boasts a roof cover, innovative cooling technology, sports museum, new ticketing system and enhanced security systems—some of the new features which have been added to the stadium.
“The cooling technology is in line with FIFA requirements. The stadium will have also two VIP seating arrangements in the West Stand and the newly added East Stand, 61 hospitality suites and studios for television broadcasts,” Amin said.
The 2022 World Cup organisers have also made the already spectator-friendly stadium now easily accessible for people with special needs. An area in the East stand has been allocated for people with special needs with corporate boxes in East Stand.
An additional security fence has been erected around the stadium for reinforcing safety. There are a number of CCTV cameras around the stadium and a new ticketing system is in place for spectators.
