Foster + Partners Create a Playful and Elegant Stadium for Qatar World Cup Final

On September 9th, Lusail Stadium – the focal point for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM – hosted the Lusail Super Cup final. This match served as a preview to the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM set to take place later in the year.

Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “It was a delight to be at the game and see the stadium nearly filled with spectators for the first time. Our ambition was to create a striking yet simple form that reflects the building’s function, responds to the climate of Qatar and enhances the theatre of the event. The arrival experience is intuitive and immersive. Spectators enter the vessel between two tiers of seating that have been intentionally compressed to heighten the sense of drama as they emerge into the generous seating bowl flooded with natural light.”

A thorough examination of the brief and the client's needs, combined with an understanding of the unique climate and cultural traditions of Qatar, served as the foundation for the design. The exterior of the seating bowl is showcased as a shimmering golden container, which gleams in the sunlight.

The facade of the new Lusail Stadium boasts triangular openings that not only enhance the structural design of the bowl but also serve as a perforated screen that provides shade and a dappled light effect on the internal areas. The innovative design of the high-performance facade and roof contribute to the reduction of the stadium's energy consumption. To ensure maximum comfort in the open-air stadium, outdoor cooling technologies have been utilized. This has earned the stadium a five-star rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System. 

The design of the stadium was centred around creating an immersive atmosphere for both players and spectators, with the pitch and its relationship to the seating bowl as the starting point. Spectators are welcomed with a grand entrance through a broad podium as they approach the gates. The stadium bowl acts as a lively "vessel" during matches and events, with the capacity to host some of the most exciting international events in the region as the largest stadium in the area. 

The 307-meter-diameter cable net roof, known as the "spoke-wheel," is one of the largest tensile cable-net roofs in a stadium and provides environmental comfort while unifying the entire stadium under a single envelope. The outer compression ring is connected to the central tension ring through a complex cable system, resulting in a wide-spanning roof without the need for supporting columns. The sand-coloured palette extends to the seating, offering a peaceful background for the vibrant and energetic supporters dressed in team colours. 

With its playful scale and geometric elegance, the new Lusail Stadium will be a lasting symbol of Qatar's post-FIFA World Cup legacy. Its pure and simple form makes it a stunning addition to the city's skyline.

Angus Campbell, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners, added: “Using the experience of redesigning Wembley Stadium with its now iconic arch, we are incredibly proud to have created a unique and instantly recognisable symbol for Qatar as host of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, including the final in Lusail. Together with our joint venture partner, Arup and sports specialist Populous, we believe the stadium will be a truly memorable venue for this year’s final and many other international events in the future.”

 

Courtesy of Foster + Partners
Photos Nigel Young / Foster + Partners