foster + partners designs 80,000-seat lusail stadium for 2022 world cup in qatar

the organizer behind the 2022 world cup has revealed the design for ‘lusail stadium’, the venue that will host the opening and final games of the qatar-based tournament. the 80,000-capacity stadium will be the largest used during the tournament, which is scheduled to kick off on november 21, 2022. designed by foster + partners, the arena will join other venues conceived for the tournament, such as the zaha hadid designed-al wakrah stadium.

all images and video courtesy of supreme committee for delivery & legacy

the plans were unveiled by the supreme committee for delivery & legacy (SC) — the organization responsible for delivering the infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA world cup. the stadium is located 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of central doha and will form the centerpiece of lusail city, a new ultra-modern destination that is nearing completion. as well as being situated in the heart of the city of the future, the area holds significant cultural and historical significance for the country, as it was once the home of the founder of modern qatar, sheikh jassim bin mohammed bin thani al thani.

the stadium is located 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of central doha

in designing the venue, foster + partners referenced the region’s vernacular architecture and the country’s ancient tradition of craftsmanship. conceived as a ‘golden vessel’ the scheme is inspired by the interplay of light and shadow that characterizes the fanar lantern. after the tournament, lusail stadium will be transformed into a community space, including schools, shops, cafés, sports facilities, and health clinics. construction of the stadium is already well underway, with completion scheduled for 2020.

the design references the motifs found on bowls and other vessels across the arab world

the stadium is scheduled to complete in 2020

project info:

design concept: foster + partners
client: supreme committee for delivery & legacy (SC)
official tournament website: 2022 FIFA world cup