Preparations are in full swing for the Lusail Super Cup showdown between the Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal SFC and Egyptian champions Zamalek SC on September 9 at the Lusail Stadium – Qatar’s biggest stadium and the venue for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final on December 18, which is also Qatar National Day.
The match between the two famous clubs is expected to see a full house for the first time at the 80,000-capacity venue, which will host ten matches during Qatar 2022, starting with Argentina versus Saudi Arabia on November 22.
The state-of-the-art venue hosted its first ever match when Al Arabi and Al Rayyan battled for points at the QNB Stars League on August 11, but a limited number of tickets were issued for the match by the organisers. However, a capacity crowd is set to attend the showdown between Al Hilal SFC and Zamalek SC.
The ticket sales for the match which started recently received overwhelming response with 8000 tickets sold out in the very first hour. According to Nasser Al Khater, CEO, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, a total of 60,000 tickets were sold by Wednesday, with organisers expecting to sell out the tickets at least two weeks before the highly-anticipated match.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Lusail Super Cup has also lined up several entertainment activities for fans on the sidelines of the showdown including a concert from superstar performer Amr Diab, prior to the kick off.
Lusail Stadium boasts a host of sustainability features, including a roof made from PTFE that protects the venue from warm wind, keeps out dust and allows in enough light for the pitch to grow while providing shade to reduce the burden on the stadium’s air conditioning. The venue recently achieved a five-star Global Sustainability Assessment System rating for its design and build and a Class A* rating for construction management.
The stadium and surrounding precinct are set to feature a host of civic facilities, including housing, shops, food and beverage outlets, a health clinic and school. After the World Cup, the modular upper tier is set to be re-purposed, with the seats donated to a community which lacks sporting infrastructure.
With Qatar getting closer to host the first ever FIFA World Cup in the Middle East and Arab world, the Lusail Super Cup will mark another milestone for the host country ahead of the historic football showpiece, which will kick off on November 20.
