Zayed Sports City Stadium

The Zayed Sports City Stadium carries a weight that goes beyond its capacity. It sits inside a complex designed by Henri Colboc, Pierre Dalidet, and George Philippe.

The grass is kept in order by an electronic irrigation system, ensuring the surface holds up for the matches that count.

It is a place that has seen the biggest moments in regional football. The 1996 AFC Asian Cup Final was drawn 0–0 before going to penalties, a game that drew a crowd of around 60,000. More recently, the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Final saw Qatar beat Japan 3–1.

The stadium has also hosted events far removed from the game. Coldplay played to over 50,000 people there in January 2025, and Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in February 2024.

The capacity has been adjusted over time. The initial 60,000 seats were reduced to 44,260 following renovations for the FIFA Club World Cup, a change made to meet modern safety standards.