Egypt Football Stadium With Sunken Pitch Designs Revealed

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26 February 2025

Designs for the first home for Al-Ahly Football Club in Cairo have been revealed by Gensler.

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Egyptian football team Al-Ahly Football Club’s first-ever stadium has been designed by Gensler, in partnership with El Qalaa El Hamraa and Buro Happold. Positioned between Cairo and Alexandria, near Sphinx International Airport, the 42,000-seat venue aims to become a national landmark.

The site has been designed to overcome a unique challenge: its proximity to the airport means the design is subject to height restrictions. Gensler has tackled this by designing a partially submerged pitch, lowering the bowl below ground level. This solution not only adheres to aviation regulations but leverages cooler earth temperatures to reduce ambient heat.

A standout design feature is its asymmetric cable net roof placed on top of a structural arch, a first in stadium design. The bowl design, with double-tiered stands on the west, north, and south sides, has been crafted to draw spectators closer to the pitch.

By night, the stadium’s digital façade and illuminated roof which act as a dynamic display visible both from the ground and from the air as travellers approach. This offers the opportunity for digital projections and customisable graphics.

As well as a sports venue, the arena will function as a year-round venue hosting national events and concerts. As part of a larger multi-use development known as the Al-Ahly Club Sports City, the stadium will sit alongside a university, hospital, and mosque.

Tayomara Gama, Sports Leader Europe at Gensler, said: “We are proud to partner with El Qalaa El Hamraa and Buro Happold on this monumental project, which will serve as the new home for Al-Ahly Football Club. By overcoming site challenges and integrating sustainable, cutting-edge solutions, our design aims to create a landmark venue that embodies the spirit of the club and acts as a cultural and economic catalyst for the region, leaving a lasting impact both in Egypt and beyond.”

Picture: a CGI of the stadium lit up at night, taken from above. Image Credit: Gensler

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 26 February 2025

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