Sheikh Zayed Stadium

Sheikh Zayed Stadium

Sheikh Zayed Stadium
Location Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Surface Grass
Tenants
UAE national football team

Sheikh Zayed Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It is currently used mostly for football matches but can also stage athletics. It is named after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and first president of the UAE. The construction of the stadium was completed in 1979 and it originally was designed to hold 60,000 people. However, after renovations to make the stadium comply with FIFA safety standards, its capacity diminished to 49,500 persons. It has hosted many international and regional events such as GCC football tournament in 1982, 1994, and in 2007. It was also a venue for the Asian Federation Cup final in 1996 between the host UAE, and Saudi Arabia when the latter won the championship from the penalty spot. A major event held in this stadium was the opening and final match of the FIFA Youth World Cup in 2003. Every year, the UAE cup final is played here.

This was also the venue for the game between Manchester City Football club and UAE National Team on November 12, 2009. The final score was 1-0 to the UAE National Team.

The stadium hosted the 2009 and 2010 FIFA Club World Cups with Al Jazira Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. It hosted 5 of the 8 matches of the tournament including the finals.

Recent and historical significant matches

Preceded by
Hiroshima Big Arch
Hiroshima
AFC Asian Cup
Final Venue

1996
Succeeded by
Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium
Beirut
Preceded by
Yokohama Stadium
Yokohama
FIFA Club World Cup
Final Venue

2009, 2010
Succeeded by
Yokohama Stadium
Yokohama