Qatar’s Football Stadiums: How Do They Keep Players Cool In The Desert Heat?

Qatar’s Football Stadiums

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is easily the most controversial football World Cup ever held. However, aside from being the most controversial World Cup, it is also the most expensive World Cup ever held. The Qatari Government has spent a staggering $229 billion on the tournament (The 2014 Brazil World Cup cost “only” $15 billion in comparison). With all this money, the Qatar World Cup will go down in history for its infrastructure project with the construction or remodeling of its stadiums, which utilize incredible technology to combat the brutal heat of Qatar. In this post, we will find out about these stadiums and how they work their cooling magic. Let’s get started.

Qatar’s Football Stadiums: A Lesson In Cooling

The 2022 World Cup will be the first to be held during winter, precisely to avoid temperatures above 40 degrees. However, in the Arabian desert, temperatures can cross 35 degrees celsius during winter afternoons as well. That is why all the stadiums of Qatar 2022 will have advanced cooling technology that guarantees a comfortable temperature during the matches. This system is installed on the grandstands and is controlled at 26 degrees Celsius at any time of the year.

How does the “air conditioning” system work in Qatar stadiums?

Each stadium depends on an energy centre, which can be installed kilometers from the stadiums. Through a pipe, cold water is transported, from which the cold air is released towards the stands and the field.

“This cooling technique is 40% more sustainable than conventional techniques,” explained Saud Abdul-Aziz, a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Qatar University.

In the stadiums, hundreds of pipes are placed along the stands and the fence that divides the stands and the field, depending on the size of the property, to guarantee that the cooling remains, since most are open stadiums and when interacting with the air, there is a risk of the refrigeration being lost.

Which stadiums are hosting the 2022 Qatar World Cup?

There are eight stadiums that will host the 64 World Cup matches, which will be held from November 20th to December 18th. Most of the buildings are new and will have a capacity for 40,000 spectators. After the World Cup is complete, these stadiums will either be dismantled or transformed into buildings that serve a year long purpose.

In this way, after 2022 there will hardly be a trace of the World Cup in the eight venues where the world’s largest football extravaganza was held.

Lusail Stadium

Seating Capacity: 94,500

Venue: Lusail

As far as size goes, the Lusail Stadium is a giant compared to all the other stadiums in Qatar. It is the architectural jewel of the World Cup and will host the Final. Its design is inspired by vessels and other pieces of art that characterize Arab art and after the World Cup, it will become a community centre with schools, shops, cafes, sports facilities and clinics.

974 Stadium

Seating Capacity: 44,950 

Venue: Doha

It receives this name because 974 is the international dialing code for Qatar and because it was built with 974 containers. Its seats are removable and, like the blocks, they will be uninstalled and reused in other projects and constructions.

Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium

Seating Capacity: 44,740

Venue: Rayan

It is the edge of the desert, hence the wavy design that resembles the dunes. It was inaugurated in 2003 and demolished in 2015, to make way for the new design. It will host matches up to the Quarterfinals. At the end of the World Cup, its capacity will be reduced to 20,000 spectators, while the rest of the seats will be donated to other countries with less infrastructure.

Al Janoub Stadium

Seating Capacity: 40,000 

Venue: Al Wakrah

It was inaugurated in May 2019 with the inspiration of the sails of the ships that arrived in Qatar through the Persian Gulf and it is planned that at the end of the World Cup its capacity will be reduced to 20,000 seats and the rest will be donated.

Around it will be installed a school, party room, cycling tracks, removal, restaurant, market, and gym.

Al Bayt Stadium

Seating Capacity: 60,000 

Venue: Jor

It stands out for its design in the form of tents, which are a reference to the facilities built by nomads, and it has a retractable roof. Most of this stadium is removable, so it will have the ability to be installed in any other part of the world, which is why it is considered the first nomadic or portable stadium. At the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, it can be installed in other countries that require sports infrastructure.

Al Thumama Stadium

Seating Capacity: 40,000 spectators

Venue: Doha

It will host matches up to the Quarterfinals and was inaugurated in October 2021 and has a circular design that resembles a ghafiya, which is a kind of woven cap that is traditional in Qatar. It has a location that allows easy transportation, as there is a metro station near the venue, so at the end of the World Cup the capacity will be reduced to 20,000 people and a hotel and boutiques will be installed in the upper part that remains free.

Khalifa International Stadium

Seating Capacity: 50,000

Venue: Doha

It was built in 1976 and is the symbol of Qatar’s sport, something like the Azteca Stadium for Mexico. It was reopened in May 2017 with an imposing design, with two dual arches. The home of the Qatar National Team has a removable athletics post, so we won’t see it during the World Cup. Next to this property is the Qatar International and Olympic Museum.

Education City Stadium

Seating Capacity: 40,000

Venue: Rayan

It is known as Qatar Foundation Stadium, but in the World Cup, it will change its name because it is located in an area of ​​universities, as well as a golf course. It was inaugurated in June 2020 and will also reduce its capacity to 20,000 fans, it will also be a property for university sports teams.

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