DUBAI: In a remarkable feat of speed and efficiency, the organisers of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai constructed the tournament’s stunning stadium in the Dubai Design District in a record-breaking 25 days, shattering the previous record for building such facilities.
Dubai will host the Beach Soccer World Cup for the second time in its history, from February 15 to 25, with the participation of 16 teams competing in 4 groups.
Beyond the standard specs, the beach soccer stadium boasts a unique feature: a pristine sand arena, at least 40 cm deep and spanning 36 meters by 27 meters. To create a memorable experience, the organisers chose a distinctive location beyond the traditional beach-front, adding a fresh touch to the tournament.
More than just sand and surf, the innovative stadium reimagines beach soccer in a vibrant, urban setting, nestled beside the city’s lifeblood: the water canal. The organisers break the mold with the off-beach stadium, offering a stunning backdrop of the city’s vita
l water canal, a testament to a testament to UAE’s engineering prowess.
Moving beyond the sand and stepping into a world of modern marvels, the stadium boasts advanced lighting that bathes the arena in brilliance, while a colossal video screen ensures fans never miss a single moment of the action. Whether they are cheering from the comfort of the VIP area or working the scene from the media centre, the fans can expect unparalleled comfort and convenience.
This remarkable achievement isn’t just about sand and goals. It solidifies the UAE’s position as a leading sports destination, attracting international attention and showcasing its commitment to innovation and excellence.
In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Jaime Yarza González. Director FIFA Tournaments(FIFA), considered the new stadium the best in the history of the tournament, citing its facilities, capabilities, the materials used in its construction, and the record time in which it was built.
“We are very happy with the efforts of the o
rganising committee of the tournament, because they are doing a great job,” he said. “We have seen the organising committees working day and night to ensure that everything is ready on time.
“The UAE’s hosting of this World Cup for the second time makes it the only country in the world other than Brazil to have hosted it more than once,” he added.
“The World Cup stadium is a real achievement, having been built in just 25 days. It is also distinguished from any other stadium that has previously hosted the World Cup, based on a number of factors, the most important of which are the engineering method applied to build it, the quality of the material used in its construction, which are the best, and the way the high roofs were prepared.”
Traditionally, it takes between 60 and 90 days to build a beach soccer stadium completely, a rule that the “UAE 2024” World Cup stadium has shattered.
The heavy rains that fell two days ago did not affect the pitch of the Beach Soccer World Cup “UAE 2024” stadium, thanks to t
he use of a special type of sand that is the best in the world at absorbing water and not being negatively affected by it, he said.
“The rain will flow and will not affect the matches,” he explained. “Fortunately, the weather now is very positive and encouraging for holding the matches and welcoming the fans.”
The official explained that the stadium has a capacity of 3,900 spectators, with dedicated entrances and exits for each side. There will be two matches per day, with one ticket for the afternoon session and one for the evening session. Each session will accommodate 3,900 spectators.
Ticket prices for the World Cup matches range from AED20 per day session during the early rounds, to AED30 for the semi-finals, and AED40 for the final day.
Each ticket allows the holder to attend two matches in the same period, between the afternoon and evening rounds.
Source: Emirates News Agency