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Khalifa International Stadium stands as an enduring symbol of Qatar's sporting legacy. Named after the Emir of Qatar, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, it has played host to numerous historic sporting events.
A versatile sports hall and a vast retail area of 10,000 square metres, the Khalifa International Stadium has been Qatar's premier football venue since its inauguration in the 70s. It is known to have gracefully hosted some of the most crucial matches of the AFC, FIFA Arab Cup™ and the FIFA World Cup 2022™.
🏟️ Factoid: The Khalifa International Stadium is Qatar’s oldest stadium, built in the year 1976
🏆Awarded: A four-star rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS)
Located in Aspire Zone, next to Villaggio Mall, the stadium is accessible by car or taxi.
The distance from Hamad International Airport is 20 minutes.
The nearest metro station is Sports City, on the Gold Line.
The Khalifa International Stadium has been Qatar's premier football venue since its inauguration in 1976. It initially seated 20,000 spectators, but when Qatar won the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ bid in 2010, the stadium needed extensive upgrades. Starting in 2014, the stadium underwent significant renovations, with architect Dar Al-Handasah leading the project. These improvements included upgrading the stands and increasing the seating capacity to over 45,000. An innovative cooling system and roof covering 70% of the stadium was also added. The stadium reopened in 2017 post renovation, becoming one of the first stadiums to stand ready for the FIFA World Cup™ matches that were scheduled for the year 2022. The stadium’s developers used cutting edge sustainability practices in the design, construction and operation to minimise the stadium’s ecological footprint. Khalifa International is the first stadium in the world to be awarded a four-star rating from the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS).
The stadium's iconic arch was replaced and complemented with a second one
Khalifa International Stadium has served as Qatar’s national stadium since 1976
Architect Dar Al-Handasah also designed the original stadium in the 1970s
Khalifa International Stadium has been the backdrop for some of Qatar’s most unforgettable sports moments. It hosted six matches of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, including the final. In 2017, the beloved Amir Cup Final took place after the stadium's reopening.
In 2021, it was one of the venues for the FIFA Arab Cup™, once again hosting an exciting final. During the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, it hosted eight matches, including the tournament’s third-place play-off.
Khalifa Stadium also has a rich history of hosting athletics events, notably including the World Athletics Championships and the annual Doha Diamond League event.
Have a closer look inside this iconic sports venue where history and modernity blend seamlessly.
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