Ras Abu Aboud Stadium renamed Stadium 974

DOHA: Stadium 974 has been officially unveiled and will host its first match on 30 November when the UAE and Syria go head-to-head on the opening day of the FIFA Arab Cup.

Stadium 974 is the seventh tournament venue to be completed by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and follows Khalifa International, Al Janoub, Education City, Ahmad Bin Ali, Al Bayt and Al Thumama in being declared ready to host matches during the FIFA World Cup 2022, which will kick off on 21 November next year.

The venue – formerly known as Ras Abu Aboud – is made primarily from shipping containers and is located close to Doha Port, directly opposite the West Bay skyline. The innovative design means this is the first stadium that can be fully dismantled in FIFA World Cup history.

Stadium 974 will host seven matches up to the round of 16 stage during Qatar 2022. During the FIFA Arab Cup which will take place from 30 November to 18 December, the 40,000-capacity stadium will host six matches, including the first semi-final and third-place play-off.

The stadium is located 800 metres from Ras Bu Aboud station on the Gold Line of the Doha Metro.

The stadium’s new name reflects the number of shipping containers used in the development and is also Qatar’s international dialling code. The name also reflects the stadium’s location as the gateway to Qatar, being close to Hamad International Airport, Doha Airport and Hamad Port.

Milestone

SC Secretary-General Hassan Al Thawadi said: “We are very proud to announce the completion of Stadium 974. This is yet another milestone on the road to 2022 as we edge closer to hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world.”

He added: “We consider this innovative venue a game-changer for future mega-event hosts. It is another example of the powerful legacy our World Cup will leave.”

Due to its innovative design, the Stadium 974 bowl avoids the need for air-conditioning as it is naturally ventilated. Much of the stadium’s structure is made from recycled steel, while water efficiency methods ensure it will reduce water use by 40 per cent compared to a conventional stadium development.

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