Dubai to develop new 60,000 seat stadium

The Emirate of Dubai is to build a new 60,000-stadium that will be named after its ruler - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The AED3 billion (US$817 million) venue will be fully air-conditioned and, according to local news reports, will utilise sustainable design elements.

Designed by architects Perkins + Will, the stadium will be a central part of Dubai’s ‘Sports Innovation Lab’ initiative, a government-backed push to increase the Emirate’s profile as a global sporting destination.

Set to be built in the suburb of Al Aweer, the project will be part of a plan to revolutionise how sport is performed, trained for and delivered in Dubai.

The designs, which were approved by Sheikh Mohammed in person during the unveiling at Meydan, show a landmark structure raised off the ground, forming a perfect half-ball shape.

It is unclear as to whether the Dubai Government will fast track development of the new venue in order for it to host fixtures during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup which is being held in the UAE.

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