Historical Al Bayt Stadium ready for FIFA World Cup opening

DOHA, Qatar

Al Bayt Stadium will host the opening match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, along with numerous other games, including one semi-final.

The Stadium takes its name from ‘bayt al sha’ar’ – which were tents historically used by nomadic peoples in Qatar and the Gulf region. 

The design honours Qatar’s past and present, while keeping one eye on the future of the community.

Covering an area larger than 30 football pitches, Al Bayt Park boasts vast green spaces with play areas and exercise stations, along with tracks for running, cycling, horse riding and camel riding.  

In addition, the precinct is home to multi-sport grounds which are also open for public use. In November 2021, the Quodorat Centre, a community space for the preservation of cultural heritage and inter-generational dialogue, opened its new headquarters within the precinct, in partnership with the SC and Aspire Zone. 

Led by Qatar's Ministry of Culture and Sport, a branch of the Nomas Centre will teach youth about the country's cultural heritage by organising a number of activities, including horse riding. 

World Cup matches

20 November Group A: Qatar v Ecuador (1900 local time)

23 November Group F: Morocco v Senegal (1300 local time)

25 November Group B: England v USA (2200 local time)

27 November Group E: Spain v Germany (2200 local time)

29 November Group A: Netherlands v Qatar (1800 local time)

1 December Group E: Costa Rica v Germany (2200 local time)

4 December Round of 16: 1B v 2A (2200 local time)

10 December Quarter-final: W51 v W52 (2200 local time)

14 December  Semi-final W59 v W60 (2200 local time)

Al Bayt Stadium will host nine matches during the FIFA World Cup, including the opening fixture, five other group meetings and three knockout matches.

Opening match

The stadium was inaugurated on 30 November 2021 during the opening day of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021™. 

Legacy and sustainability 

The modular upper tier will be removed after the tournament, with the seats (tournament capacity 60,000) being re-purposed to create sporting facilities in Qatar and overseas. After Qatar 2022, the upper concourse of the stadium will be converted into various facilities.  

The sky box level will be turned into a five-star hotel, while a shopping centre, food court, gym and multipurpose hall will be incorporated into the stadium building. A leading sports medicine hospital will open.

The stadium was awarded a five-star rating for its design and construction from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), along with a Class A* rating for its construction process and a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio Compliance certificate.