Borg El Arab Stadium
Encyclopedia
The Egyptian Army Stadium or Borg El Arab Stadium is a stadium
commissioned in 2006 in the Mediterranean Sea resort of Borg el Arab; 50 km west of Alexandria
, Egypt
. It is the largest stadium in Egypt
and the second largest in Africa
(the first being Soccer City in Johannesburg
) with a capacity of 86,000 and is an all-seater. It is also the 27th largest stadium in the world, and the 10th largest association football stadium in the world. It is located on the Cairo
-Alexandria
desert highway 10 km from Borg El Arab Airport
and 15 km from Alexandria's city centre. A running track runs around the pitch, and the ground has four large floodlight
s. Only one stand is covered by a roof.
. It is also expected to be one of the venues for the Egyptian National Football Team along with the Cairo International Stadium
, and the Mubarak Stadium
at the city of Giza; 25 km south of Cairo. There is much speculation on whether any of the local (northern Egypt) football clubs will play their home matches in the stadium as they already fail to reach the 20,000+ mark in any of their current games. It is thought that the final matches of the Egyptian Cup might be held there every year.
The Stadium is unique in that it was designed and built completely by the Egyptian Armed Forces Corps of Engineers (EAFCE). It is thought that the EAFCE might be willing to participate in the construction of future stadiums.
. In an inspection tour to check Egypt's readiness, Jack Warner, FIFA Vice-President and head of the inspection delegation, spoke very highly of the stadium. He said, "It is a fantastic stadium. It is one of the best in the world". Other delegation members described the stadium as an identical copy of the Stade de France
. The stadium, however, hosted only one match in that tournament, which was the opening match between Egypt and Trinidad and Tobago
as well as the opening ceremony of the competition. FIFA President Joseph Blatter expressed his delight to be at the "fantastic" stadium of Borg El Arab as he watched the high-tech visuals and fantastic lights show of the opening ceremony.
has been selected to be the location of this project. Borg El Arab is located 7 kilometers away from the 31 kilo meters mark at the Cairo
-Alexandria
desert high road. It is also about 10 kilometers away from each of Borg El Arab Airport
, Mubarak Emergency Hospital (at Sidi Krir), and tourist villages in the northern coast. The site is also 1.5 km away from the train station at king Mariot. The sea resort of Borg El Arab is known for its pollutants-free and dry climate due to the fact that it is 28 meters above sea level
.
The area of land specified for this project is 600,000 m2 (145 acres) divided as follow: 30% for facilities, 30% for roads and waiting areas, 40% for green areas. This project is planned to be the building brick for a full Olympic Village integrated.
Beyond the gates, there are 76 stair cases divided into 22 up to the upper stands, 18 down to the special cabins, 36 down to the lower stands. Other entrances exist for the VIP, handicap, and for people with special needs. The stadium contains 8 elevators: two elevator for VIP, two for journalists, two for shipments and goods, and other twp for people with special needs.
The stadium includes the following entrances: one for pitch, one for Marathon, two for emergency ambulance and fire services, one for the players and media personals, and two for groups and celebrations.
is about 12 degrees north west in order to be along the direction of the wind. The reason for that is to avoid any obstruction to the movement of the ball or the players according to the requirements of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA
). The pitch dimensions is 105 * 1970 meters. In addition to the pitch, the stadium is equipped to host Olympic Games activities; 8 running track
lanes, water blocker for steeplechase
, two sand pit for long jump
, one sand pit for triple jump
.
The main stadium is equipped with twin light towers positioned at the north-eastern and south-eastern stands of the stadium at a height of 65 meters above the pitch. In addition, lighting sources are installed along the sunshade. Two results panel and 13 prepared positions for cameras are ready.
In addition to the pitch, there are two training fields with a seating capacity of 2000 spectators per field. Both fields occupy a total area of 3,000 m2, where each field includes athletics track, two changing rooms for the players, two changing rooms for the referees, offices, and restrooms. Both training fields are equipped with lighting towers.
The terrace and first class stand, which represents 35% of the total stadium seating capacity, are covered with a metal sunshade that is 200 meters long and 62 wide. The metal sunshade is lifted by 18 concrete lotus flower-shaped columns to a height of 32 meters. The sunshade is pulled by high-resistive steel cables. This sunshade, the largest one implemented in the region by Egyptians, used 35 tons of steel in manufacture.
For the spectators, there are 32 restaurants and 68 restrooms (a total of 386 toilets; 337 for men, 43 for women, and 6 for people with special needs). Twenty five percent of the stadium is air conditioned, this includes the terrace, salons, clothes changing rooms, and media center. The audio and surveillance cameras are accessed at the control room found in the basement. An information transmission network and a network of fire alarms are linked to a central control room found at the highest point of the stadium.
The stadium includes a hotel for the players that includes 200 bed which are air conditioned. The hotel includes a conference hall, a cafeteria, restaurant, swimming pool, a gymnasium and provider of elevators. In addition for the hotel, there is also an administrative building and a housing center for the stadium's workers with a total capacity of 80 people (total area is 3500 square meters). This building includes several offices, salons, a dining hall, rooms accommodation.The stadium includes an internal road network that is 6 km long, car parking capacity of 5 thousand cars, and 200 buses and a helicopter landing pad with capacity of 4 aircrafts.
The site green areas occupy a total of 250 thousand square meters. The site has been feed 4 Mb electricity capacity, backup power generators, 500 local phone lines, 1500 international phone lines, a ground water tank with 2000 square meters capacity, and a draft sewer capacity 800 m.
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
commissioned in 2006 in the Mediterranean Sea resort of Borg el Arab; 50 km west of Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. It is the largest stadium in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and the second largest in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
(the first being Soccer City in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
) with a capacity of 86,000 and is an all-seater. It is also the 27th largest stadium in the world, and the 10th largest association football stadium in the world. It is located on the Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
-Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
desert highway 10 km from Borg El Arab Airport
Borg El Arab Airport
Airlines and destinations will be completely updated upon the completion of the new terminal building by late 2011 and transfer of airlines from Alexandria International Airport.- See also :*Alexandria International Airport*Transportation in Alexandria...
and 15 km from Alexandria's city centre. A running track runs around the pitch, and the ground has four large floodlight
Floodlights (sport)
Floodlights are broad-beamed, high-intensity artificial lights often used to illuminate outdoor playing fields while an outdoor sports event is being held during low-light conditions....
s. Only one stand is covered by a roof.
The Reason for a New Stadium
The Stadium was originally commissioned as part of an ambitious 5 international-standard stadiums project for Egypt's bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. It is also expected to be one of the venues for the Egyptian National Football Team along with the Cairo International Stadium
Cairo International Stadium
Cairo International Stadium or "Stad El-Qahira El-Dawly", is an Olympic-standard, multi-use stadium with an all-seated capacity of 75,000. It is the Arab World's second largest . It is the foremost Olympic-standard facility befitting the role of Cairo, Egypt as the center of events in the region...
, and the Mubarak Stadium
Mubarak International Stadium
Mubarak International Stadium is an all-seated association football stadium in Suez, Egypt. Completed in 2009 the stadium has a capacity of 45,000 people. It hosted matches from Group C in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and was used up until the quarter-finals of the competition.-References:...
at the city of Giza; 25 km south of Cairo. There is much speculation on whether any of the local (northern Egypt) football clubs will play their home matches in the stadium as they already fail to reach the 20,000+ mark in any of their current games. It is thought that the final matches of the Egyptian Cup might be held there every year.
The Stadium is unique in that it was designed and built completely by the Egyptian Armed Forces Corps of Engineers (EAFCE). It is thought that the EAFCE might be willing to participate in the construction of future stadiums.
Opening Match
To utilize the new stadium, Egypt chose Borg El Arab stadium to be among the stadiums hosting the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, was the 17th U-20 tournament, which was hosted by Egypt from 24 September to 16 October, in the cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, Suez and Ismaïlia...
. In an inspection tour to check Egypt's readiness, Jack Warner, FIFA Vice-President and head of the inspection delegation, spoke very highly of the stadium. He said, "It is a fantastic stadium. It is one of the best in the world". Other delegation members described the stadium as an identical copy of the Stade de France
Stade de France
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. It has an all-seater capacity of 80,000, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team for...
. The stadium, however, hosted only one match in that tournament, which was the opening match between Egypt and Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
as well as the opening ceremony of the competition. FIFA President Joseph Blatter expressed his delight to be at the "fantastic" stadium of Borg El Arab as he watched the high-tech visuals and fantastic lights show of the opening ceremony.
Location
Borg El ArabBorg El Arab
Borg El Arab is an industrial city and resort in Alexandria, Egypt.-Overview:It is located about 45 kilometers south-west Alexandria city centre and some seven kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. North of the Borg El Arab city is King Mayriott resort and Mayriott Lake. The city has an...
has been selected to be the location of this project. Borg El Arab is located 7 kilometers away from the 31 kilo meters mark at the Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
-Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
desert high road. It is also about 10 kilometers away from each of Borg El Arab Airport
Borg El Arab Airport
Airlines and destinations will be completely updated upon the completion of the new terminal building by late 2011 and transfer of airlines from Alexandria International Airport.- See also :*Alexandria International Airport*Transportation in Alexandria...
, Mubarak Emergency Hospital (at Sidi Krir), and tourist villages in the northern coast. The site is also 1.5 km away from the train station at king Mariot. The sea resort of Borg El Arab is known for its pollutants-free and dry climate due to the fact that it is 28 meters above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
.
The area of land specified for this project is 600,000 m2 (145 acres) divided as follow: 30% for facilities, 30% for roads and waiting areas, 40% for green areas. This project is planned to be the building brick for a full Olympic Village integrated.
Stadium Entrances/Exits
A 3.5 km long fence surrounds the entire stadium. There are 10 gates and 80 shops with a total surface area of 4 thousand square meters. The main stadium is surrounded by 1.2 Km long fence that controls the spectators entrance. This fence contains 17 gates and a total of 136 electronic machine that allow the entry of 800 spectators per minute. While stadium could be completely filled within two hours, it could be entirely evacuated in less than 8 minutes.Beyond the gates, there are 76 stair cases divided into 22 up to the upper stands, 18 down to the special cabins, 36 down to the lower stands. Other entrances exist for the VIP, handicap, and for people with special needs. The stadium contains 8 elevators: two elevator for VIP, two for journalists, two for shipments and goods, and other twp for people with special needs.
The stadium includes the following entrances: one for pitch, one for Marathon, two for emergency ambulance and fire services, one for the players and media personals, and two for groups and celebrations.
Pitch
The geographical direction of the pitchAssociation football pitch
An association football pitch is the playing surface for the game of association football made of turf. Its dimensions and markings are defined by Law 1 of the Laws of the Game, "The Field of Play".All line markings on the pitch form part of the area which they define...
is about 12 degrees north west in order to be along the direction of the wind. The reason for that is to avoid any obstruction to the movement of the ball or the players according to the requirements of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
). The pitch dimensions is 105 * 1970 meters. In addition to the pitch, the stadium is equipped to host Olympic Games activities; 8 running track
All-weather running track
An all weather running track is the common term to describe a rubberized artificial running surface for the sport of Track and field athletics. Throughout the history of the sport, there has always been a search for a consistent surface that gave competitors an equal advantage, to test their...
lanes, water blocker for steeplechase
Steeplechase (athletics)
The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics, which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.-Rules:The length of the race is usually 3000 m; junior events are 2000 m, as women's events formerly were. The circuit has four ordinary barriers and one water jump. Over 3000 m, each...
, two sand pit for long jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
, one sand pit for triple jump
Triple jump
The triple jump is a track and field sport, similar to the long jump, but involving a “hop, bound and jump” routine, whereby the competitor runs down the track and performs a hop, a bound and then a jump into the sand pit.The triple jump has its origins in the Ancient Olympics and has been a...
.
The main stadium is equipped with twin light towers positioned at the north-eastern and south-eastern stands of the stadium at a height of 65 meters above the pitch. In addition, lighting sources are installed along the sunshade. Two results panel and 13 prepared positions for cameras are ready.
In addition to the pitch, there are two training fields with a seating capacity of 2000 spectators per field. Both fields occupy a total area of 3,000 m2, where each field includes athletics track, two changing rooms for the players, two changing rooms for the referees, offices, and restrooms. Both training fields are equipped with lighting towers.
Seating Capacity
Borg El Arab's main stands can accommodate for 80 thousand spectators on the upper and lower levels. The stadium's seating orientation was designed to allow the spectator to view all the pitch's angles in full without any impediments. While the exclusive VIP cabin has 22 seats, the terrace can accommodates for 300 spectators. The media personals' stand can include up to 300 journalists. An outside stand is available for people with special needs.The terrace and first class stand, which represents 35% of the total stadium seating capacity, are covered with a metal sunshade that is 200 meters long and 62 wide. The metal sunshade is lifted by 18 concrete lotus flower-shaped columns to a height of 32 meters. The sunshade is pulled by high-resistive steel cables. This sunshade, the largest one implemented in the region by Egyptians, used 35 tons of steel in manufacture.
Available Services
Four rooms for clothes changing, with restrooms and showers included in each, are available for the players. In addition, two warm up rooms, number of offices for coaches and medical staff, several rooms for the referees, sports halls, medical center equipped with the highest level analysis-laboratory, and a press center for media coverage are available.For the spectators, there are 32 restaurants and 68 restrooms (a total of 386 toilets; 337 for men, 43 for women, and 6 for people with special needs). Twenty five percent of the stadium is air conditioned, this includes the terrace, salons, clothes changing rooms, and media center. The audio and surveillance cameras are accessed at the control room found in the basement. An information transmission network and a network of fire alarms are linked to a central control room found at the highest point of the stadium.
The stadium includes a hotel for the players that includes 200 bed which are air conditioned. The hotel includes a conference hall, a cafeteria, restaurant, swimming pool, a gymnasium and provider of elevators. In addition for the hotel, there is also an administrative building and a housing center for the stadium's workers with a total capacity of 80 people (total area is 3500 square meters). This building includes several offices, salons, a dining hall, rooms accommodation.The stadium includes an internal road network that is 6 km long, car parking capacity of 5 thousand cars, and 200 buses and a helicopter landing pad with capacity of 4 aircrafts.
The site green areas occupy a total of 250 thousand square meters. The site has been feed 4 Mb electricity capacity, backup power generators, 500 local phone lines, 1500 international phone lines, a ground water tank with 2000 square meters capacity, and a draft sewer capacity 800 m.