The Gem-like Education City Stadium
Education City Stadium is one of the eight stadiums Qatar has built especially for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The country has given large effort as they are the first country in the Middle East to host the World Cup. It has a capacity of 43, 500 seats and is located in the outskirts of Doha. The Stadium was named Education City as it is within several university campuses at Qatar Foundation’s Education City.
It has gained the nickname Diamond in the Desert due to the geometric diamond-like patterns it features. These patterns reflect and change colors as the sun moves. The change of colors make the stadium look like it’s shimmering. A great work through the combined skills of JPAC JV as the build contractor who chose Pattern Design to lead the architectural work. While Buro Happold did for the engineering structure.
The construction preparation started in 2014 while the start of the actual foundation works was in 2016. It was then inaugurated in June 2020. After its inauguration, the stadium hosted the 2020-21 Qatars Stars League season. The stadium will be hosting a total of six games for the Qatar World Cup 2022 with a round-of-16 games, as well as a quarter final. You can view the official schedule of FIFA World Cup 2022 games here.
Education City Stadium Matches & Teams Playing
- Group D: Denmark vs. Tunisia on November 22, 2022
- Group H: Uruguay vs. South Korea on November 24, 2022
- Group C: Poland vs. Saudi Arabia on November 26, 2022
- Group H: South Korea vs. Ghana on November 28, 2022
- Group D: Tunisia vs. France on November 30, 2022
- Group H: South Korea vs. Portugal on December 02, 2022
- Round of 16: Winners Group F vs. Runners-up Group E on December 06, 2022
- Quarter finals: Winners Match 53 vs. Winners Match 54 on December 09, 2022
The 8 World Cup stadiums in Qatar
- Stadium 974
- Lusail Stadium
- Al Bayt Stadium
- Education City Stadium
- Khalifa International Stadium
- Al Janoub Stadium
- Al Thumama Stadium
- Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
The Education City Stadium Design
All the eight venues represent different aspects in the Arab heritage. The talented engineering and architects behind every stadium made sure to incorporate them with the latest technologies. For the Education City stadium, the design contains triangles. These triangles form a complex diamond-like geometrical patterns that seems to change colors whenever the sun moves around the sky.
The Diamond in the Desert, it represent quality, durability, and resilience. Just like a Diamond, it is something treasured for both memories and the future value it will hold for the nation. Aside from this attractive design, 20% of the materials used to build the stadium was environmental friendly. Hence it was awarded one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable stadiums.
Its facade cocoons the stadium letting the advanced kind of cooling system operate at its optimum level. At night, the stadium’s exterior has a colorful light show which adds to its attractiveness. Further, this stadium is positioned as a learning hub for students across the Arab world. As it is surrounded by different university campuses and its buzz worthy ideas and stories of innovation and visionary talent.
Aside from the stadium and the campuses, there are also first class sports-like and leisure facilities in the area. In addition to its environmentally sustainable award, the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) has also given it a five star rating. Generally, its ultra-modern design seamlessly blends with the traditional Islamic architecture.
The Education City Stadium Construction & Issues
The stadium’s construction officially began in 2015 but the actual laying of foundation began in 2016. It was then inaugurated in June 2020. There were several challenges the contractors experienced upon completing the project. FIFA had set specific requirements each stadium should meet. It should be bowl shaped with sight lines and the inevitable lighting that allows mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering equipment necessary to assure the comfort of the spectators.
The materials for the roof was changed into a gravity-stressed cable net system which saved 5,000 tons of steel. Although a reduction to around 50% of the original scheme design, it still retained most of the stadium’s original form. The design of the roof also allowed it to be used even in summer where the weather of Qatar becomes very hot. Through the help of Buro Happold, the engineering system was optimized and the carbon footprint was lessened.
As a result of this, Education City became the first stadium to receive the five star rating from GSAS and the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development has recognized its excellence in sustainability, design, and construction. Despite all these recognitions, there were still several issues surrounding the construction of the stadium. Since the 6,500 deaths which are said to be connected with the construction was too large, the FIFA organization could not overlook the situation.
FIFA president met with the Qatar Minister of Labor, Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri to discuss the necessary labor reforms which is happening in the country. Mr. Infantino was then assured that the Qatar government are strongly committed to fully implement the reforms which will let FIFA 2022 leave a legacy and will benefit the migrant workers in long term.
Education City Stadium Plans after Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022
After the FIFA World Cup 2022, some of the seats will be removed and only 25,000 seats will be retained. It will then be used by athletic teams from the universities. The seats removed from the stadium will be donated to help other countries who are developing their own stadiums. It is also planned to be the home of Qatar’s Women Football team supporting Qatar’s 2030 goal to bolster women’s role in all spheres of society as an empowerment to become active community members.