There are some amazing stadiums either currently being built or due to be built for forthcoming World Cups. We have the Lusail Iconic Stadium, an 86250 seater stadium in Qatar that will be surrounded by a moat, and the Nou Mestalla, the much troubled new ground for Valencia that is currently half finished. For each entry, include the Location and Proposed Capacity on new lines below the image for each stadium, followed by a brief description of the key features of the stadium.
8. Singapore National Stadium
http://sin.stb.s-msn.com/i/86/5E674CEDABD6FAB58E51C6FE24217.jpg
Kallang, Singapore
55,000 Capacity
Due to be opened later in 2014 the stadium will have a capacity of 55,000 and will have two main functions.
It will be the venue of the 2015 South east Asian games and will be awarded to the Singapore National Football team to be used for their domestic International fixtures. Built on the site of the previous National Stadium which was closed in 2007 and subsequently demolished in 2010, the stadium will house features such as a retractable roof, low energy output and air cooling provided to all seats inside the venue.
Perhaps the most incredible feature of the structure however, is the second function of the retractable roof. Despite only taking 25 minutes to open or close, it doubles as a giant projector roof on both sides which can display images relevant to the current event taking place, for example it is scheduled to be displaying the Singapore flag during the National Day Parade.
7. Grand Stade OL/ Stade Des Lumieres
http://www.stadiumguide.com/wp-content/uploads/grandstadeol_front.jpg
Lyon, France
58,000 Capacity
One of France’s biggest clubs is currently constructing a new stadium to replace their current home the Stade Gerland. Olympique Lyonnais are hoping that their new stadium- which seems to have a different name depending on where you look for it, will be completed and ready to open in 2015.
Scheduled to be a host venue of the 2016 UEFA European Championships in France the 58,000 seater venue will be a much more modern stadium when compared to the Stade Gerland. Lyon had been attempting to build a new stadium since 2007 but a lack of financial means for the club and a lot of local opposition to the project meant the idea halted.
Following the unveiling of France as the host nation of the 2016 UEFA European Championships there was a cash boost once Lyon was named as one of the host cities which then gave the green light on the project.
Despite the scheduled opening being pushed back from the summer of 2014 to that of 2015, the Grand Stade OL/ Stade Des Lumieres is a contender to host the opening match of Euro 2016.
6. Nuevo Estadio Atletico De Madrid
http://estaticos.elmundo.es/elmundo/imagenes/2011/12/05/madrid/1323114584_g_0.jpg
Madrid, Spain
67,500 Capacity
Atletico Madrid and the Estadio Vicente Calderon are two names that go hand in hand because it could be argued that you could never part them, however come the summer of 2015 we may be forced too as that is the date that the Spanish giants are looking to move into their new home.
The Vicente Calderon is unable to be developed due to its geographical location and so the club has explored a relocation option to expand their fan base. A brand new 67,500 seater stadium would help them do just that and would be great for the city of Madrid. Having bid to host either the 2020 or 2024 Olympic games the stadium could be selected as the host venue. Despite the fact that it is being designed and built as a football stadium with no running track to be seen.
It sounds strange but should the city be awarded the games, it would mean Atletico moving to a different venue for about a year whilst the first few rows of the lower tier are removed to make way for the running track which would mean a decreased capacity of around 60,000 for the games.
Nevertheless the club are planning on going ahead with the 200 million Euro project which will be largely funded by the development of the land the Vicente Calderon currently stands on.
5. Arena Corinthians
http://www.stadiumguide.com/wp-content/gallery/arenacorinthians/arenacorinthians1.jpg
Sao Paulo, Brazil
68,000 Capacity
Despite having many names, this will be the Sao Paulo’s offering to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and subsequently the new home of Brazilian side Corinthians following a reduction in the stadiums capacity. While being able to fit 68,000 spectators in during the International tournament it will be reduced to 48,000 when Corinthians take over the ground. The additional 20,000 seats being installed for the World Cup is because FIFA request the venue hosting the opening match to have a minimum capacity of 65,000.
The stadium was recently in the headlines in November 2013 after an incident occurred which killed two workers and destroyed part of the East building. Since then many around the world have questioned not only the stadiums readiness for the summer of 2014, but the readiness of Brazil for the international football showcase.
Despite the disaster in late 2013, FIFA president Sepp Blatter remains confident that the stadium will be ready in time for the tournament. Either way its very unlikely that the stadium will be left unfinished should it not be ready for the tournament so Corinthians can still look forward to nice new stadium for the start of next season.
4. Baku Olympic Stadium
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/galikgalik/baku_olympic_stadium_f090810_2-1.jpg
Baku, Azerbaijan
68,700 Capacity
With a retractable roof, 68,700 capacity and the ability to change colours around the exterior, it goes without saying that the Baku Olympic Stadium is a great offering from Azerbaijan when it comes to world football stadiums.
Construction began in early 2013 and is scheduled to be completed in 2015 with the stadium currently looking likely to be the first ever hosts of the European games which for anyone unfamiliar with them is the continental equivalent of the Olympics.
The primary tenant of the ground is set to be the Azerbaijan National football team who will be hosting their games there from 2015 onwards since FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini declared the stadium fit to host World Cup and European Championship qualification games when they attended the ground breaking 2011.
3. New Zenit Stadium
http://en.fc-zenit.ru/data/media/folder.634003665234257148.545×250.jpg
Saint Petersburg, Russia
62,000 Capacity
The new Zenit Saint Petersburg stadium is one that has been in motion since 2005 when the idea was first planned. Initial construction began in late 2008 and was supposed to be completed in 2009 but construction has had several delays.
The project was originally planned to be funded by Russian gas firm Gazprom, who are also the clubs main shirt sponsor. However following their pull out from the idea it was taken over by the Saint Petersburg City Council who set an earliest completion date of late 2013.
The planned 62,000 seater stadium has already had a major impact on Russia’s 2018 FIFA World Cup bid and is currently set to host one of the Semi- Finals of the tournament. Zenit are currently hoping the stadium can be ready for them to use in time for the 2014/15 season but it remains to be seen if that plan will come to fruition.
2. Nou Mestalla
http://ontheterraces.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/nou-mestalla3.jpg
Valencia, Spain
74,000 Capacity
The design is very unique when compared to many other stadiums around the world, the exterior of the stadium will consist of 22,500 aluminium elements that are said to represent Valencia’s districts and the river Turia. Since the project has been created, there have been a few changes to the original design (Pictured) for instance the roof is now planned to be made of illuminating blue glass.
The Mestalla is one of the most revered stadiums in the Spanish Primera division and home to one of the most well known football clubs around the world, Valencia CF. Their current home has a grand capacity of 55,000 and this new project would see their attendances rise to a whopping 74,000.
The project was first brought up in 2006 and building works began in 2007. But over recent years Valencia have had some fairly well known financial issues which has resulted in the project facing several delays. Originally, the project was expected to cost a total of 240 Million Euros but with the main body of the stadium now completed it is expected to cost a further 150 Million to finish the stadium.
A fitting new home for one of Spain’s biggest clubs, the Nou Mestalla or Nuevo Mestalla will be a great tribute to one of the most admirable clubs in Europe.
1. Lusail Iconic Stadium
http://www.designboom.com/cms/images/ridl/fos03.jpg
Lusail, Qatar
86, 250 Capacity
Being built for the highly debated 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Lusail Iconic Stadium is the planned venue for both the opening and final games of the tournament. Planned to be the biggest stadium of the tournament by a massive 36,000 it will also be yet another incredible testament to clean energy in football. The stadium will be cooled by solar power and have a zero carbon footprint.
Perhaps the most ingenious feature of the stadium is that it will be surrounded by a moat that match attendees will cross via six bridges, or that the saddle form roof appears to float above the seating bowl, when in fact it is supported by a ring of arching columns or the fact that the centre of the roof can be pulled back to allow the pitch to be open to the elements or covered.
There are a lot of amazing features planned for the Lusail Iconic Stadium, but the benefits to the surrounding area are just another bonus of this soon to be footballing landmark. The parking and service areas around the ground will be shaded by the large solar collectors which will not only provide energy for the stadium itself, but also generate power for neighbouring buildings.
Alas, as with everything related to the 2022 World Cup so far, there is one big point that is hard to overlook about the Lusail Iconic Stadium. It will be a beacon of world football at some point in 2022 (since we still don’t know when the tournament will be played) but it won’t last. In 2011 it was announced that following the conclusion of the tournament, the stadium will be reconfigured into a 20,000 seater stadium for use by the Qatar national football team. Its this post World Cup idea that while attempting to spare it the inevitable fate of becoming a white elephant, still makes the whole concept seem somewhat pointless.
Read more at http://whatculture.com/sport/8-amazing-football-stadiums-built.php/9#EZpkgmhS2CBZH5Cv.99
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