Cairo International Stadium

Cairo Stadium
Stad El Qahira El Dawly
Full name Cairo International Stadium
Location Nasr City, Cairo
Capacity 75,000
Record attendance 120,000
Surface Grass
Construction
Built 1955–1960
Opened 23 July 1960
Renovated 2005
Architect Werner March
Tenants
Egypt national football team and Al Ahly SC and Zamalek SC

The Cairo International Stadium or "Stad El Qahira El Dawly", is an Olympic-standard, multi-use stadium with an all-seated capacity of 75,000.[1] The architect of the stadium is the German Werner March, who had built from 1934 to 1936 the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Before becoming an all seater stadium, it had the ability to hold over 100,000 spectators, reaching a record of 120,000. It is the foremost Olympic-standard facility befitting the role of Cairo, Egypt as the center of events in the region. It is also the 69th largest stadium in the world. Located in Nasr City; a suburb north east of Cairo, it was completed in 1960, and was inaugurated by President Gamal Abd El Nasser on 23 July that year, the eighth anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. Zamalek currently use the Petro Sport Stadium for most of their home games and Al-Ahly use Al-Salam Stadium for most of their home games.

Overview

Cairo Stadium at night

The Stadium is located about 10 km west of Cairo International Airport and about 10 km[2] (30 min) from downtown Cairo.

In 2005, in preparation for the 2006 African Cup of Nations it underwent a major renovation, and was brought up to 21st century world standard along with all its multi-game Olympic facilities.

Cairo Stadium is known for its tremendous atmosphere and its very large capacity. This was never more evident than during the 2006 African Cup of Nations, which were held in Egypt. When Egypt had their matches in Cairo Stadium, the stadium seemed to nearly erupt. Before seats were added to all sections in 2005, the stadium was notorious for holding more people than it was intended to. Without seats, fans were able to squeeze together and sit in aisles. Because of the previous seating layout, Cairo International Stadium was able to host over 120,000 fans for the 1986 African Cup of Nations Final match between Egypt and Cameroon. Behind the enormous crowd, hosts Egypt defeated Cameroon.

Cairo Stadium is a strong symbol of Egyptian football. Nearly all of the most important Egyptian matches are held there. It carries an extremely rich history which includes many memorable football moments that range from Hossam Hassan's famous header to secure Egypt's attendance in Italia 90 World Cup, numerous African Cup of Nations tournaments which included the latest 2006 trophy, and the famous derby matches between Ahly and Zamalek.

It has also served as the main stadium of the 1991 All-Africa Games.

Trivia

See also

References

  1. ↑ "International Cairo Stadium". www.cairo-stadium.org.eg. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  2. ↑ "Distance & Directions from Cairo Stadium to Downtown". Google. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
Preceded by
Stade 7 November
Rades		 African Cup of Nations
Final Venue
2006		 Succeeded by
Ohene Djan Stadium
Accra
Preceded by
National Soccer Stadium
Toronto		 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Final Venue
2009		 Succeeded by
Estadio Nemesio Camacho
Bogotá

Coordinates: 30°4′8.81″N 31°18′44.40″E / 30.0691139°N 31.3123333°E / 30.0691139; 31.3123333

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