Cairo International Stadium
Encyclopedia
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 (after Borg El Arab Stadium
with an all-seated capacity of 86,000). It is the foremost Olympic-standard facility befitting the role of Cairo
, Egypt
as the center of events in the region. It is also the 69th largest stadium in the world. Located in Nasr City
; a suburb north east of Cairo
, it was completed in 1960, and was inaugurated by President Gamal Abdel Nasser
on 23 July that year, the eighth anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution of 1952.
In 2005 in preparation for the 2006 African Cup of Nations
it underwent a major renovation, and was brought up to 21st century world standard along with all its multi-game Olympic facilities.
The Stadium is located about 10 km west of Cairo International Airport
and about 10 km (30 min) from downtown Cairo.
Cairo Stadium is known for its tremendous atmosphere and its very large capacity. This was never more evident than during the 2006 African cup of Nations, which were held in Egypt. When Egypt had their matches in Cairo Stadium, the stadium seemed to nearly erupt. Before seats were added to all sections in 2005, the stadium was notorious for holding more people than it was intended to. Cairo International Stadium has hosted over 120,000 fans for a match between El Zamalek football club and El Ahly football club. Also known as the Cairo Derby
. Without seats, fans were able to squeeze together and sit in aisles. This number was actually achieved and realized a few years back in 1986 African Cup of Nations Final match which was held in Egypt and Egypt won against Cameroon.
Cairo Stadium is a strong symbol of Egyptian football. Nearly all of the most important Egyptian matches are held there. It carries an extremely rich history which includes many memorable football moments that range from Hossam Hassan's famous header to secure Egypt's attendance in Italia 90 World Cup, numerous African Cup of Nations tournaments which included the latest 2006 trophy, and the famous derby matches between Ahly and Zamalek.
It has also served as the main stadium of the 1991 All-Africa Games
.
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...
with an all-seated capacity of 75,000. It is the Arab World
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
's second largest (after Borg El Arab Stadium
Borg El Arab Stadium
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 with a capacity of 86,000 and is an all-seater...
with an all-seated capacity of 86,000). It is the foremost Olympic-standard facility befitting the role of 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...
, 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...
as the center of events in the region. It is also the 69th largest stadium in the world. Located in Nasr City
Nasr City
Nasr City is a district of Cairo, Egypt. It is located to the east of the Cairo Governorate and consists mostly of condominiums. It was established in the 1960s as an extension to neighboring suburb of Heliopolis. The establishment of the district was part of the Egyptian Government's plan to...
; a suburb north east of 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...
, it was completed in 1960, and was inaugurated by President Gamal Abdel Nasser
Gamal Abdel Nasser
Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein was the second President of Egypt from 1956 until his death. A colonel in the Egyptian army, Nasser led the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 along with Muhammad Naguib, the first president, which overthrew the monarchy of Egypt and Sudan, and heralded a new period of...
on 23 July that year, the eighth anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution of 1952.
In 2005 in preparation for the 2006 African Cup of Nations
2006 African Cup of Nations
-Group B:---------------------Group C:---------------------Group D:---------------------Knockout stage:-Quarter-finals:-------------Semi-finals:-----Third-place play-off:-Final:-Scorers:...
it underwent a major renovation, and was brought up to 21st century world standard along with all its multi-game Olympic facilities.
The Stadium is located about 10 km west of Cairo International Airport
Cairo International Airport
Cairo International Airport is the busiest airport in Egypt and the primary hub for Star Alliance member EgyptAir. The airport is located to the north-east of the city around from the business area of the city.The airport is administered by the Egyptian Holding Co...
and about 10 km (30 min) from downtown Cairo.
Cairo Stadium is known for its tremendous atmosphere and its very large capacity. This was never more evident than during the 2006 African cup of Nations, which were held in Egypt. When Egypt had their matches in Cairo Stadium, the stadium seemed to nearly erupt. Before seats were added to all sections in 2005, the stadium was notorious for holding more people than it was intended to. Cairo International Stadium has hosted over 120,000 fans for a match between El Zamalek football club and El Ahly football club. Also known as the Cairo Derby
Cairo derby
The Cairo Derby, also known as the Egyptian Clásico or the Egyptian Derby, is a football match between Egyptian clubs Al-Ahly S.C. and Zamalek SC. It is a match between arguably the two most successful clubs in Egypt and Africa. Ahly and Zamalek were named by the Confederation of African Football...
. Without seats, fans were able to squeeze together and sit in aisles. This number was actually achieved and realized a few years back in 1986 African Cup of Nations Final match which was held in Egypt and Egypt won against Cameroon.
Cairo Stadium is a strong symbol of Egyptian football. Nearly all of the most important Egyptian matches are held there. It carries an extremely rich history which includes many memorable football moments that range from Hossam Hassan's famous header to secure Egypt's attendance in Italia 90 World Cup, numerous African Cup of Nations tournaments which included the latest 2006 trophy, and the famous derby matches between Ahly and Zamalek.
It has also served as the main stadium of the 1991 All-Africa Games
1991 All-Africa Games
The 5th All-Africa Games were held from September 20 to October 1, 1991 in Cairo, Egypt. Forty-three countries participated in eighteen sports....
.
Trivia
- Hosts matches between Cairo giants Al-AhlyAl-AhlyAl-Ahly Sports Club , commonly known as simply Al-Ahly, is an Egyptian sporting club. Founded in April 1907, Al-Ahly was named in 2000 by the Confederation of African Football as the "African Club of the Century"...
and Zamalek SC. - Hosts matches for the Egypt national football team.
- In the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations it was packed with 120,000 people to see their team winning the tournament against CameroonCameroonCameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
. - Third largest stadium in Africa after Soccer City in South Africa 1st and Borg El Arab StadiumBorg El Arab StadiumThe 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 with a capacity of 86,000 and is an all-seater...
in Egypt 2nd and it is acknowledged by FifaFIFAThe 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...
. - Hosted many matches in the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and the final which Egypt won against Ivory Coast 4-2 in penaltiesPenalty shootout (football)A penalty shoot-out, referred to as kicks from the penalty mark in the Laws of the Game, is the FIFA official term for a method used in association football to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament following a tied game...
shootouts after a 0-0 draw OvertimeOvertimeOvertime is the amount of time someone works beyond normal working hours. Normal hours may be determined in several ways:*by custom ,*by practices of a given trade or profession,*by legislation,...
which was packed with 80,000 attendance. - Will be one of the stadiums for Egyptian bid to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations2017 Africa Cup of NationsThe 2017 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to be the 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa . The tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Libya, for the second time. The first was in 1982, when the home team were runners-up. The competition is likely to be...
. - It is the most visited stadium in Egypt having all of the important matches for the Egypt national football team.
- It was updated to host the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations to meet the cafCAFCAF may refer to:Armed forces*Canadian Armed Forces , the Canadian Air Force, Army, and Navy*Canadian Air Force, now the Royal Canadian Air Force*Republic of China Air Force, the air force of the Republic of China...
standard stadiums making it all-seated which decreased the capacity from 85,000 to 75,000 and making blue zigzag highlights on the seats, later on the Olympic track was changed from blue to orange it was first seen on 14 November when Egypt faced AlgeriaAlgeriaAlgeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)The Confederation of African Football section of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw teams compete for five berths in the final tournament in South Africa...
which Egypt won 2-0. - It was one of the stadiums along with Borg El Arab StadiumBorg El Arab StadiumThe 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 with a capacity of 86,000 and is an all-seater...
and 5 other future made stadium in the Egyptian fail bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup2010 FIFA World CupThe 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...
.