This arena is intended as a venue for soccer and is easily adapted for other sports, exhibitions and concerts. The elliptical form encompasses two tiers, the lower encircling the playing area and accommodating 16000 with additional precast concrete stands to the east and west seating 14000 more. A spacious ambulatory runs behind giving access to services and 24 portals allowing crowd dispersal. VIP suites and media facilities are sited below the west stand. A retractable roof supported on steel trusses and clad with translucent polycarbonate cuts out the elements when necessary, also reducing noise pollution. The stadium is world-class, reflecting the importance of sport in global culture today.
Source:
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture, 2011.
