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NEWS
Revealed: Perkins + Will's elevated bowl-shaped stadium for Dubai
POSTED 15 Aug 2016 . BY Kim Megson
The stadium, which will have an open-tensile roof, will be available for use all year-round Credit: Perkins + Will
The inspiration for the design stems from the desire to create a stadium like no other that draws from regional precedents while providing a sustainable and visionary destination for Dubai
– Perkins + Will
Architecture practice Perkins + Will have revealed new details about the stadium they’re building in Al Aweer, Dubai, which will be the largest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Mohammed bin Rashid Stadium was approved earlier this year by UAE prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, but detailed images and information about the project have only just been released.

Currently in the planning and design phase, the FIFA-compliant 60,000 capacity stadium will take the form of an elevated structure encased in a diagrid bowl, with the playing field elevated 60ft (18m) above an entry plaza below.

The stadium, which will have an open-tensile roof, will be available for use all year-round. It will have an architectural skin that allows for airflow while blocking out unwanted sand and sun. Meanwhile courtyard water elements beneath the stadium will create a natural thermal sink that cools the air, and a landscape design that uses trees and vegetation to block hot wind while providing shade.

According to the architects “the inspiration for the design stems from the desire to create a stadium like no other that draws from regional precedents while providing a sustainable and visionary destination for Dubai.”

Perkins + Will are designing the stadium as part of a wider mixed-use development that will include training facilities, a practice pitch and warm up areas, a museum, a multi-purpose sports hall, shops, restaurants, a public plaza and a 5,000-space car park. The total site will cover an area of 120,000sq m (1.3 million sq ft).

The project is part of Dubai’s “Sports Innovation Lab” initiative and a government-backed policy to increase the emirate’s profile as a global sports destination. The reported cost of the project is AED3bn (US$817m €731m, £631.5m). Dar Al-Handasah is lead consultant.
The stadium will be elevated 60ft above the ground Credit: Perkins + Will
The stadium is part of a wider multi-use complex which will cost some AED3bn Credit: Perkins + Will
Training pitches will surround the main stadium Credit: Perkins + Will
The FIFA-compliant ground will be the largest in the UAE Credit: Perkins + Will
Can you spot Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Credit: Perkins + Will
A new public plaza is part of the design plans Credit: Perkins + Will
Perkins + Will were announced as the architects earlier this year Credit: Perkins + Will
The stadium will have an architectural skin that allows for airflow while blocking out unwanted sand and sun Credit: Perkins + Will
The stadium is shaped like a giant bowl Credit: Perkins + Will
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Revealed: Perkins + Will's elevated bowl-shaped stadium for Dubai
POSTED 15 Aug 2016 . BY Kim Megson
The stadium, which will have an open-tensile roof, will be available for use all year-round Credit: Perkins + Will
The inspiration for the design stems from the desire to create a stadium like no other that draws from regional precedents while providing a sustainable and visionary destination for Dubai
– Perkins + Will
Architecture practice Perkins + Will have revealed new details about the stadium they’re building in Al Aweer, Dubai, which will be the largest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Mohammed bin Rashid Stadium was approved earlier this year by UAE prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, but detailed images and information about the project have only just been released.

Currently in the planning and design phase, the FIFA-compliant 60,000 capacity stadium will take the form of an elevated structure encased in a diagrid bowl, with the playing field elevated 60ft (18m) above an entry plaza below.

The stadium, which will have an open-tensile roof, will be available for use all year-round. It will have an architectural skin that allows for airflow while blocking out unwanted sand and sun. Meanwhile courtyard water elements beneath the stadium will create a natural thermal sink that cools the air, and a landscape design that uses trees and vegetation to block hot wind while providing shade.

According to the architects “the inspiration for the design stems from the desire to create a stadium like no other that draws from regional precedents while providing a sustainable and visionary destination for Dubai.”

Perkins + Will are designing the stadium as part of a wider mixed-use development that will include training facilities, a practice pitch and warm up areas, a museum, a multi-purpose sports hall, shops, restaurants, a public plaza and a 5,000-space car park. The total site will cover an area of 120,000sq m (1.3 million sq ft).

The project is part of Dubai’s “Sports Innovation Lab” initiative and a government-backed policy to increase the emirate’s profile as a global sports destination. The reported cost of the project is AED3bn (US$817m €731m, £631.5m). Dar Al-Handasah is lead consultant.
The stadium will be elevated 60ft above the ground Credit: Perkins + Will
The stadium is part of a wider multi-use complex which will cost some AED3bn Credit: Perkins + Will
Training pitches will surround the main stadium Credit: Perkins + Will
The FIFA-compliant ground will be the largest in the UAE Credit: Perkins + Will
Can you spot Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Credit: Perkins + Will
A new public plaza is part of the design plans Credit: Perkins + Will
Perkins + Will were announced as the architects earlier this year Credit: Perkins + Will
The stadium will have an architectural skin that allows for airflow while blocking out unwanted sand and sun Credit: Perkins + Will
The stadium is shaped like a giant bowl Credit: Perkins + Will
RELATED STORIES
Ruler of Dubai approves world's first fully air conditioned stadium


The world’s first fully air conditioned stadium has been given the go ahead by the ruler of Dubai, with architecture studio Perkins + Will working on the design of the project.
MORE NEWS
The Good Spa Guide sets up event for modified Good Spa Guide Awards
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans, UK.
McKinsey: 84 per cent of consumers say wellness is a top priority
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of Wellness 2026 research report.
Protests continue in Albania against US$1.6 billion luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Barons Eden rebrands to Hiddenwell ahead of spa hotel portfolio expansion
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Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
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COMPANY PROFILES
Klafs GmbH

Founded in 1928, Klafs is known as an award winning, world-leading trendsetter in wellness and spa. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026

World Bathing Day

Worldwide,
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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