Al-Maktoum Stadium () is a multi-purpose stadium in Oud Metha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of both Al Nasr SC and United FC. The stadium holds roughly 15,000 people.
It was upgraded for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. This was in order to meet the regulations set by the Asian Football Confederation to host matches on a continental scale, and so that Dubai would be able to host more matches and events in the venue.
History The rapid growth of UAE football in the early 1970's prompted the construction of a proper home stadium for Al Nasr SC. Thus, The construction of Al-Maktoum Stadium began in 1974 at a site in Oud Metha, and the stadium was inaugurated in 1978. The inaugural match of the stadium took place on May 26th of the same year against English club Liverpool F.C, who would go on to beat Al Nasr 5-0.
With a capacity of 12,000 spectators, the original stadium featured low stands, an oval shape, and an athletics track encompassing the pitch, which was a common layout in UAE stadiums built during this era. By 1995, the stadium underwent a minor upgrade, in which a new Grandstand on the west side of the stadium was constructed.
2017-2018 Renovation After the UAE acquired hosting rights for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, it became necessary to redevelop the now-outdated venue in order to meet requirements set by the AFC for host venues. The Demolition of the old ground (excluding the Grandstand built in 1995) commenced in October of 2017, and the new stadium officially opened in December 2018 with a new capacity of 15,000 spectators.
2019 AFC Asian Cup Al Maktoum Stadium hosted six games of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, including a Round of 16 and a quarter-final match. DateTimeTeam No. 1Res.Team No. 2RoundAttendance7 January 201917:30 1–0 Group C3,18510 January 201915:00 0–1 Group A2,72012 January 201920:00 0–2 Group E13,79216 January 201920:00 0–0 Group D15,03820 January 201915:00 1–1 (aet)(2–4 PSO) Round of 1614,20524 January 201917:00 0–1 Quarter-finals8,954
Layout and construction The Al Maktoum Stadium's renovation was completed in 2019 after construction broke ground in 2018. The original stadium was built in the 1970s. Dubai Super Cup Al Maktoum Stadium hosted the final of the Dubai Super Cup in December 2022, where Arsenal F.C. won against AC Milan with a score of 2–1.
See also Lists of stadiums List of football stadiums in the United Arab Emirates
References
External links Stadium images