Doha: Qatar Football Association (QFA) and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) announced Sunday that Al Wakrah Stadium a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament venue – will be inaugurated when it hosts the 2019 Amir Cup final on May 16.

In a press conference held in Al Bidda Tower, Qatar Football Association and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said that the 40,000-capacity venue would host the final on Thursday 16 May after a stadium inauguration ceremony which will take place before the game kicks off.

Al Wakrah Stadium is the second Qatar 2022 venue to be delivered by the SC following the successful redevelopment of Khalifa International Stadium, which was inaugurated in 2017 when it hosted that years Amir Cup final between Al Sadd and Al Rayyan.

Speaking in the press conference, QFA Director of Marketing and Communications Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari said that Al Wakrah Stadium would provide a fitting stage for Qatari footballs showpiece competition.

‘We are honoured that one of Qatars World Cup venues will host this years Amir Cup final,’ said Al Kuwari. ‘The 2017 Amir Cup final at Khalifa International Stadium was a magnificent occasion and we are sure this years final will be just as memorable.’

Al Kuwari added that the Amir Cup Local Organising Committee will provide a number of activities to enrich the fan experience.

‘Spectators of all ages will enjoy activations around the stadiums precinct,’ added Al Kuwari. ‘Additionally, we will give local businesses and restaurants the chance to showcase their products.’

In the framework of encouraging the masses to participate in this football carnival, Al Kuwari said that various prizes have been allocated to the public amounting to QR 2 million, including cars and purchase vouchers from Fifty One East stores, in addition to many events that will be held on this occasion through the partners of QFA like Sony which will organize the Playstation Championship at Lagoona Mall on April 3 and 4, and Qatar Shell which will organize an event at the Festival City starting April 29.

For his part, Al Wakrah Stadium Project Manager Thani Khalifa Al Zarraa described the upcoming inauguration as a major milestone as Qatar continues preparations for the FIFA World Cup.

‘The launch of Al Wakrah Stadium is a significant step on the road to 2022,’ said Al Zarraa. ‘Its innovative and futuristic design means it is set to be one of the iconic venues during the first FIFA World Cup in the Arab world. We hope thousands of football fans across the country will join us for this landmark occasion as we celebrate the progress we have made to-date and look forward to 2022 with renewed excitement.’

‘Al Wakrah Stadium will significantly boost the local community. During the design and execution phases, we met people from Al Wakrah in order to include their requirements in the project. We appreciate the contribution of everyone who took part in this project,’ Al Zarraa added.

Tickets for the 2019 Amir Cup final are already available to buy, either online at tickets.qfa.qa or from a host of outlets across the country, including Villagio Mall, Mall of Qatar, Doha Festival City, City Center, Souq Waqif and Ezdan Mall, Al Wakrah. Tickets are available in four categories and priced between QAR 20 and QAR 100. Tickets will remain on sale until 15 May.

Al Wakrah was designed by Zaha Hadid and AECOM Architects. It has a fully retractable roof, meaning it can be used all-year-round. It also features innovative cooling technology for the benefit of supporters and players. The technology is capable of cooling the spectator areas to 18 C and the field of play to 20 C.

After the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, Al Wakrah Stadium it will become the club’s home, with a reduced capacity of 20,000 guaranteeing an electric atmosphere for their Qatar Stars League matches. The other 20,000 seats will be donated to football development projects overseas, once again demonstrating Al Wakrah’s innovative nature and ability to connect with far-off lands.

Sustainability runs all through this arena and the surrounding complex, married with eye-catching design. The whole shape of the stadium hides a remarkably green temperature control method, making its clever aerodynamic design do much of the work. The roof will provide significant shade, taking the weight off the advanced cooling systems.

Al Wakrah’s stadium complex will feature new green spaces of around 90,000 m2 . This impressive parkland, with 800 new trees and low-water-consumption vegetation, will include space for horse riding, running tracks and cycle lanes.