Eager to witness history? We are standing before the Al-Maktoum Stadium. It is a multi-purpose stadium in Dubai. It is in the Oud Metha area. Al-Maktoum Stadium is primarily used for football matches. It serves as the home ground for Al Nasr SC.
The stadium has a capacity of roughly 15,000 people. Al-Maktoum Stadium was upgraded for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The upgrade ensured the stadium met Asian Football Confederation regulations. This allowed Dubai to host more matches.
The Al-Maktoum Stadium hosted six games of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. These included a Round of 16 and a quarter-final match. South Korea defeated the Philippines here. Bahrain beat Thailand here. Lebanon lost to Saudi Arabia here. Iran and Iraq drew here. Jordan and Vietnam played to a tie that saw Vietnam win after penalties. Vietnam lost to Japan in the quarter-finals here.
The Al-Maktoum Stadium’s renovation was completed in 2019. Construction had broken ground in 2018. However, the original stadium was built in the 1970s. The first stadium on this site dates back to 1978. It was renovated in 1995. A comprehensive renovation occurred between 2017 and 2018. This cost AED 300 million.
The stadium previously had a running track. It eventually fell out of use. The stands were low. The distance from the field reached 30 meters behind the goals. Redevelopment occurred for legacy use by Al Nasr.
Only the main grandstand remained from the old ground. The grandstand saw expansion. It became dedicated to premium seating and media. Other sections were demolished and rebuilt in a rectangular layout. The stadium length was reduced by 25 meters. Capacity grew from 12000 to 15000.
The new auditorium is sheltered behind a tall facade. All sections are covered. Shade is ensured for fans. Floodlight masts are no longer needed. This reduces light pollution. OBE Architects designed a steel structure of 4200 tons.
The roof and facades are covered by a lightweight PTFE membrane. The inner roof has increased light transmission. The rest of the roof is nearly opaque. The facades have rhomboidal segments of membrane. These create an interesting pattern with perforations. This improves natural ventilation.
Construction took only 344 days. This included mounting and painting the steelwork in Al Nasr colors.
The Al-Maktoum Stadium hosted the final of the Dubai Super Cup in December 2022. Arsenal F.C. won against AC Milan with a score of 2–1.
The Al-Maktoum Stadium stands as a symbol of Dubai’s commitment to sports. It showcases modern architecture and a passion for football. It brings fans together. The stadium is a place where memories are made and victories are celebrated. Take a moment to soak in the atmosphere of the Al-Maktoum Stadium.