Khalifa International Stadium

Khalifa International Stadium

Location	Doha, Qatar
Opened	1976
Renovated	2005
Surface	Grass
Capacity	50,000
Tenants
none

Khalifa International Stadium (Arabic: ستاد خليفة الدولي‎) is a multi-use stadium in Doha, Qatar. Prior to the 2006 Asian Games, it was used mostly for football matches, but it includes facilities for many other sports. The stadium has a capacity of 50,000. Khalifa stadium was the main venue for the Doha 2006 Asian Games, and is part of the Doha Sports City complex, which also includes Aspire Academy, Hamad Aquatic Centre, and the Aspire Tower. Full renovation of the stadium was completed in 2005. It is currently the stadium of Qatar national football team.

The stadium was originally opened in 1976, but was fully renovated and expanded prior to the Asian Games in order to increase its capacity from 20,000 to 50,000. A roof has also been built on the Western side of the stadium, along with a large arch on the Eastern side which was used as a platform for the launch of fireworks during the 2006 Asian Games Opening Ceremony.

Many of the athletic events of the games were held at the stadium, as well as the Opening and Closing ceremonies.

Opening fireworks at the 2006 Asian Games set off inside the stadium
Source : http://en.wikipedia.org

Toyota Stadium

Toyota Stadium was developed by Kisho Kurokawa Architect & Associates and represents a compact space created using a set of slightly inclined, reinforced concrete septa which are heightened from the flat ground. The outside is characterized by four large steel and pointed pennons that offer an endearing feeling to the complex which also compliment the continuous waved profile of the upper tiers that rise towards the main tribunes.

The shape of the metallic roof is accentuated by the subtle waves above the tiers which resemble the traditional shape of Japanese roofs. The roof contains an accordion-like moving element that is operated by a system of air-pillows that enables the stadium to completely close itself.

The inside of the stadium is defined by the elegant fixed roof made of numerous metallic elements which are supported by tie-beams on the four large pennons. The pennons emerge through holes in the roof and gradually thin until reaching a height of 93 meters.

The mobile roof glides on rails put on the supporting beams on the fixed roof - it opens and closes like an accordion and functions on a system of air-pillows that lightens the weight.

The unique mobile roof functions on technology chosen by Ove Arup & Partners and allows the roof to completely close in less than one hour. However, the construction phase required detailed attention and precision because strong gusts of wind could have blown away the entire structure. Time management was of crucial importance and therefore the mobile roof was constructed in less than six days.

Source : www.worldstadiums.com

Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho (Maracanã)

The construction of a large stadium in Rio de Janeiro's city center was decided to host the 1950 World Cup. The stadium was initially called 'Municipal'. Construction got approved by the President of the Republic 'Eurico Gaspar Dutra' and was greatly supported by the journalist 'Mário Filho' to whom the stadium was officially dedicated in 1964. However, the stadium has always been nicknamed 'Maracanã'. This nickname derives from a small river in the stadium's neighborhood which is subsequently derived from a typical Brazilian parrot.

The Maracanã Stadium got into global soccer history after the incredible 1950 World Cup final which Uruguay surprisingly won against home team Brazil in front of 200 000 fans, both official and unofficial (many people succeeded to illegally run into the stadium). This figure represents the largest crowd ever to attend a soccer match in history. After the game, desperation ruled all over the country and several people even committed suicide!

After it was constructed, the Maracanã Stadium was the biggest stadium in the world and today it is still famous for its imposing elliptical framework which is almost circular. The stadium is characterized by two large rings of tiers laid down around the entire playing field. During the fifties, it was not only one of the most luxurious stadium in the world, but it was also well known for its functionality and security. Two large external flights connect the upper tiers of the stadium with the surrounding park and guarantee a fast evacuation of the stadium.

The stadium was projected by the architects Rafael Galvão, Pedro Paulo Bernardes Bastos, Orlando Azevedo and Antônio Dias Carneiro. From outside, the stadium doesn't look as imposing as one would expect. The maximum height is only 24 meters (78 feet). However, the facades are characterized by a solid and reinforced concrete structure that contains 60 big pillars in 'Y' shape. These pillars follow the stadium's elliptical perimeter and heighten to sustain the supporting beams.

Although the Maracanã Stadium was greatly renovated at the end of the nineties with the consequence that the total capacity dropped significantly, the stadium still remains as one of the most important temples in the world of soccer.

Source: www.worldstadiums.com

Estadio Azteca

Estadio Azteca (Aztecs Stadium) is the only stadium to have hosted two World Cup finals (in 1970 and in 1986).

The stadium was projected by the architects Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and Rafael Mijares Alcerra. The name of the stadium, Aztecs, is a homage to the ancient society that lived in the region. The stadium is built on lava ground of the extinguished volcano Xitle. Construction began in 1962 with the appointment of 12 architects, 34 engineers, 15 technicians, and 800 workmen that continuously worked to erect one of worlds largest stadiums.

The playing field is situated 9.5 meters (31 feet) under ground level and surrounded by three big rings of continuous tiers that follow a slightly curved profile. The stands run along the entire perimeter and, together with the roof structure, accentuate the horizontal outline of the stadium. The roof is slightly separated by the tribunes and is supported by a rectangular structure of supporting beams.

The outside of the stadium is characterized by the concrete structure of two upper rings. The pillars, that elegantly incline towards the inside, bow at the high-end to accompany the upper tiers and to define the outside image of the stadium.

The stadium is nicknamed "Il Coloso de Santa Úrsula" (the Colossus of Saint Úrsula) because of its imposing size. It was inaugurated in 1966 and renovated in 1986 to host the World Cup for the second time.

Source: www.worldstadiums.com

Rungrado May Day Stadium

Rungrado May Day Stadium has 150 000 seats and a total floor space of more than 207 000 square metres. The area of the pitches is over 22 500 square metres. The stadium has eight storeys and is more than 60 metres high from the ground to the roof. The 60 metre long canopy is enough to cover the section of the stands. The pent of the inner roof is 60 metres long and the outer roof 40m long. The 16 arch roofs link with one another like flower petals.

The roofs look like a large flower floating on the clear water of the Taedong, or a parachute which has just landed, so it gives the impression of a dynamic sculpture. The stadium has 80 exits and ten lifts. It was built in two and a half years on the picturesque Rungra Island in the Taedong River, and commissioned on May 1, 1989. Every condition is provided for international games. The football pitch is covered with natural grass, and the 400 metre track and other parts for field events are rubberised.

The stadium has various training halls, recreation rooms, an indoor swimming pool, an ultrasonic bat, a sauna, beds and so on, which are indispensable for the players training and convenience. It also has dining rooms, and a broadcasting room and telex booths. The rubberised indoor running track is several hundred metres long and is on the sixth floor.

Source: www.worldstadiums.com