INCREDIBLE concept footage has taken sports fans inside the ‘world’s biggest football stadium’ tipped to host the 2030 World Cup final.
The Grand Stade Hassan II will be able to hold up to 115,000 supporters with the one-of-a-kind stadium’s roof being inspired by a traditional Moroccan tent.
Spain, Portugal and Morocco are co-hosting the historic tournament in less than six years time.
Morocco, the first ever North African nation to host the event, are hoping to get the stadium ready in time for the grand occasion with it tipped to stage the final match.
The plans for the iconic ground have finally been revealed by designers Oualolou + Choi and Populous.
An estimated £400million is set to be spent on building the state-of-the-art stadium and improving the surrounding infrastructure.
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Initial reports say the stunning new ground will be completed by 2028.
One of the most remarkable features of the stadium is the mammoth size of it.
It will take up a whopping 247 acres in the town of El Mansouria – just south of the capital Rabat.
The football pitch is sat in the middle of the sprawling complex under a ring of bright lights coming from the partially covered roof.
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The packed out 115,000-seater stadium has been specially crafted to allow for almost 30,000 fans to watch from each side of the pitch.
Each end has been crafted into a bowl shape to maximise the fan experience through the sights and sounds.
Five tiers of hospitality are also being built into the stadium to host the rich and famous.
Up to 12,000 ultra luxurious boxes will be available to VIPs as well as a custom “royal box” for special guests.
Outside of the ground, the bizarre yet unforgettable style of the stadium is set to provide a unique fan experience.
The design’s inspiration comes from traditional Moroccan “Moussem tents”, say Populous.
Concept pictures of the Grande Stade Hassan II show the structure is being made of giant aluminium sheets which appear to be slightly see through to allow for natural light.
The tented roof also covers “an oasis of greenery” which is being added to the area and built into the stadium.
The official Populous website described this by saying: “Supporting the geometry of the roof and the bowl is a ring of 32 stairways, creating monumental gateways that feature lush gardens positioned on raised platforms, each 28 meters from the ground.
“The gardens produce an extraordinary spatial experience, an oasis of greenery under the translucent envelope of the roof.
“This effect is enhanced by a series of botanical gardens at ground level under the outer reaches of the covering.”
Additional basketball and football pitches will also be available for fans inside the ground, according to the images.
It will be a truly iconic, landmark venue for Morocco and for football itself, that will become one of the great stadia of the world
Christopher Lee
Architects Populous are no stranger to grand designs.
They worked on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as well as the Lusail Stadium that hosted the last World Cup final in Qatar.
Away from football they have also worked on various Olympic venues and the unusual Las Vegas Sphere.
Populous representative Christopher Lee spoke on the state-of-the-art stadium, saying: “It will be a truly iconic, landmark venue for Morocco and for football itself, that will become one of the great stadia of the world.”
Once it is open, Morocco’s national team will play there as will the nation’s two largest clubs Raja CA and Wydad AC in a ground share.
Despite the ground vying to host the World Cup final, Real Madrid’s newly renovated Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is belived to be thje front runner
The largest stadium in the world is currently the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea, which has space for 114,000 fans.
It comes as Saudi Arabia has shown footie fans a first look at the 15 futuristic stadiums set to host the 2034 World Cup.
Incredible pictures reveal the ambitious modern arenas that boast jaw-dropping features – including an entire NEW CITY set to be built around one stadium.
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Saudi authorities have unveiled ambitious plans to construct 11 new stadiums and give four existing ones a major revamp.
As part of the official bid submission to FIFA, these stadiums will be based in and around four cities – Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Abha.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
