Al Janoub Stadium
إستاد الجنوب
A futuristic stadium designed by Zaha Hadid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Al Janoub Stadium is one of Qatar’s most striking architectural icons, designed by Zaha Hadid.
Its flowing lines resemble the sails of traditional dhow boats, paying tribute to the region’s maritime heritage.
Built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it now stands as a landmark of modern design and innovation, attracting visitors year-round.
How to Get There
On foot from Al Wakrah center ~30-45 min.
From Doha by taxi ~23 min.
From Lusail by taxi ~47 min.
From DOH airport (Doha) by taxi/transfer ~19 min.
Description
What is this place
Al Janoub Stadium is a football venue in Al Wakrah, south of Doha, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. It was inaugurated on 16 May 2019 with the Amir Cup Final and served the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Key features
- 40,000 seats for tournaments, reconfigurable to ~20,000 in legacy mode for Al-Wakrah SC.
- Retractable membrane roof providing shade and heat relief.
- Advanced cooling keeps stands at ~18 °C and the pitch at ~20 °C for year-round use.
- Form inspired by traditional dhow hulls with wave-like cladding and “sail” arches.
- Hosted World Cup fixtures including the Round-of-16 Japan vs Croatia on 5 December 2022.
What to see
- The ribbed façade and pale roof panels.
- The sweeping arches and “ship-like” interior geometry of the bowl.
- The pedestrian precinct around the stadium linking towards Al Wakrah’s seafront.
History
Conceived by Zaha Hadid Architects as a 40,000-seat World Cup venue with a 20,000-seat legacy plan, the stadium broke ground in 2014.
It opened on 16 May 2019 with the Amir Cup Final and became one of the first Qatar 2022 venues ready for the tournament. During the World Cup it staged group matches and a Round-of-16 tie.
In legacy mode it targets ~20,000 capacity and serves Al-Wakrah SC; removable upper tiers were designed for redeployment where sports infrastructure is needed.
Practical information
Location: Al Wakrah, southeast Qatar; west of the Souq Al Wakrah corniche.
Getting there: Red Line to Al Wakra station, then Metrolink M132 to Al Janoub Stadium or taxi; ~25–35 minutes by car from central Doha.
Access: Ticketed entry on event days; interior access is restricted outside events.
Visit hours: Vary with match and event schedules.
Time needed: 2–3 hours for a game including early arrival; 30–60 minutes for an architectural walk around.
Best time: Evenings and the cool season (Nov–Mar); in summer, evening events benefit from cooling.
Notes: Security screening and bag rules apply; check shuttle operations from Al Wakra Metro in advance.
