Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Football stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Hazza bin Zayed Stadium is a football stadium in Al Ain featuring a distinctive parasol roof design and an LED-lit exterior facade shaped like a palm tree trunk. The venue holds around 25,000 spectators and combines membrane panels with steel structures to shade visitors while allowing natural grass to grow.
Ground was broken in April 2012 and the stadium was completed in December 2014 after a 16-month build. It was named after Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, chairman of Al Ain FC. Its inaugural friendly, planned against Manchester City, was postponed and finally played after the Premier League season, with City winning 3–0. It later hosted the 2017 and 2018 FIFA Club World Cups and eight matches of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The stadium is named after Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, chairman of Al Ain FC. Its facade carries 600 panels shaped like palm trunks, lit in changing colours, a nod to the UAE's palm heritage. The second floor holds ten hospitality boxes and three suites for up to 700 guests.
The stadium is located in Al Ain and accessible by car or public transport; arrive early to secure parking. The membrane structure provides good shade, which offers relief during hot weather.
The stadium won the Stadium of the Year award in 2014, earning international recognition for innovative sports architecture. It also served as a venue for several important football matches during a major Asian tournament.
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