Key facts
Club: Al Rayyan SC | Opening: 2020 | Capacity: 40,000 seats
History and description
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, also known as Al Rayyan Stadium, is one of the playing venues of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It opened in 2020.
The stadium was built in place of the old Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, home of Al Rayyan SC. Initially the plan was to expand and renovate the existing stadium, but in the end they built a whole new stadium altogether.
The last match in the old stadium was played in 2014, following which it got demolished and preparation works for the new stadium started. The final designs were presented in 2015, and foundation works started in late 2016.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium officially opened on 18 December 2020 with the Amir Cup Final between Al-Sadd and Al-Arabi (2-1). A few months later the stadium was one of the two venues, alongside Education City Stadium, of the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup that was played in early 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It hosted among others one of the two semi-finals.
For the World Cup the stadium will have a capacity of roughly 40,000 seats. After the World Cup, nearly half of those will be removed again, resulting in a capacity of 21,000.
Its standout feature is the facade that incorporates various symbols of Qatari culture and is inspired by the sand dunes of the nearby desert.
During the World Cup, the stadium is set to host five first round group matches and one round of 16 match.
How to get to Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is located in the suburb of Al Rayyan on the eastern edge of the Doha metropolitan area. The distance to central Doha is about 20 kilometres.
You can easily reach the stadium from central Doha by metro. Metro station Al Riffa is located a short walk away from the stadium. It is the last station on the newly-constructed Green line, which can be boarded in central Doha. The journey from Al Bidda station takes about 25 minutes. On the way, you pass Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
From destinations further north along the bay such as The Pearl a transfer is required from the Red line. Transfer at Al Bidda station.
Eat, drink, and sleep near Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is located on the outskirts of Doha separated from the desert only by a few motorways. It is part of a new development which includes the Mall of Qatar, one of Doha’s large modern shopping malls.
There are various eating and drinking establishments in the mall if you need something to eat before the match.
There is one hotel near Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium: the luxurious AlRayyan Hotel Doha, which is part of the Mall of Qatar. Click here for hotels elsewhere in Doha.
Images of Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Useful websites
Visitqatar.qa – Doha tourist information.