Inaugural match at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium draws thousands of fans, venue to host World Cup Final

Football fans from across the Middle East and North Africa became the first visitors to Qatar’s Lusail Stadium, which officially opened its doors to stage the Lusail Super Cup 2022 on September 11.

Fans cheered a showdown between Saudi Professional League champions Al Hilal SFC and Egyptian Premier League winners Zamalek SC, which ended with a victorious win for Al Hilal on penalties at the new 80,000-seater venue.

The stadium is one of the largest in the region and will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final this December. Before the match, fans were treated to a spectacular set by Egyptian music artist Amr Diab.

The stadium is set in the smart city of Lusail, which is considered Qatar’s largest sustainable real estate development, spanning 38 square kilometres and four islands. It has 22 internationally ranked hotels and 19 multi-purpose districts, which are designed for everything from living to working to entertaining.

The #LusailSuperCup witnessed over 77,500 spectators, which was a record attendance for any sporting event in Qatar!

On the day of the match, Lusail QNB Station also set a new track record with 97,000 passengers accessing the metro in one day in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/Lt7U1kvIDI

— قطر للسياحة – Qatar Tourism (@NTC_Qatar) September 11, 2022

Visitors can contribute to zero carbon travel to and around the city with Lusail’s new tram network and 76 km of planned cycle and pedestrian tracks.  It’s also easily accessible by the Doha Metro (the Red line).

Maryam Al Maslmani, from the Public Relations and Communication Department at Qatar Tourism, said: “Lusail city is a treat for visitors, with the striking architecture that marks its horizons and the open spaces that offer a retreat from the city. We are thrilled that our visitors from the region can get a sneak peek at what Qatar has to offer and gear up for even more adventure and beautiful sightings later this year.”

Other attractions close to Lusail Stadium include the recently opened Place Vendôme which is inspired by classic Parisienne architecture and is home to numerous dining and shopping boutiques. Also in the area, and currently in development, is the Lusail Boulevard, which blends a contemporary urban lifestyle with Qatar’s rich, cultural fabric.

Spanning 1.3 km, Lusail Boulevard will present a mixed-use offering of upscale offices, residential units and retail spaces.

Visitors to Qatar can head to the green landscapes of Crescent Park or Doha Festival City to jump on one of the many thrilling rides at Angry Birds World including a 60-metre slingshot.

Set to open later this year and in time for the FIFA World Cup is the Al Maha Island, which will host Nammos beach club, numerous dining outlets and Lusail Winter Wonderland.

Infrastructure and hospitality developments continue to take place at a rapid pace in Qatar and are set to continue beyond the mega sporting event of this year as Qatar Tourism works toward its longer-term strategy of attracting six million visitors by 2030.