Foster + Partners has conceived the Lusail Stadium as a highly energy-efficient structure reflecting Doha’s culture and heritage. As the venue for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid, the stadium is designed to provide a world-class football facility for 86,250 spectators during the opening ceremony of the World Cup, group games and final. The stadium structure can perform efficiently in extreme summer climatic conditions.
The stadium has a near-circular footprint and sits on the masterplan’s primary axis, which divides the stadium grounds into two halves. Encircled by a reflective pool of water, spectators cross the ‘moat’ to enter the building via six bridges. An outer pedestrian concourse extends from the water towards an array of smaller amenity buildings and a hotel at the stadium’s perimeter.
The saddle-form roof appears to float above the concrete seating bowl, supported by a ring of arching columns. Its central section can be pulled back to allow the pitch to be either open to the sky or fully covered. The concave profile of the stadium’s outer enclosure evokes the sails of a traditional dhow boat and incorporates a system of operable louvers. The interior of the seating bowl is designed to enhance the experience and atmosphere for spectators. The VIP and hospitality accommodation is concentrated along the sides of the pitch to create a continuous sea of fans behind each goal.
Parking and service areas at Lusail Stadium are shaded by canopies of solar collectors, which will produce energy for the stadium when it is in use, as well as generating power for neighbouring buildings.
The Lusail Stadium is one of 12 that form Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup hosting concept, all of them within an hour of central Doha enabling fans to see at least two games in a day. Qatar is one of seven nations to express an interest in staging the 2018 and 2022 World Cups along with Australia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the US and England.
