August 22 – New images have been released for the planned Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco, the 115,000-capacity stadium projected to be the largest football stadium in the world.
Designed by Paris-based architects Oualalou + Choi in collaboration with Populous, the new venue will be inspired by Moroccan ‘Moussem’ tents and be a stunning example of the ‘Moroccan hospitality’.
The Grand Stade Hassan II will be almost double the size of Morocco’s current biggest venue – the Ibn Batouta Stadium – which has a capacity of about 65,000.
To build the venue, the Casablanca-Settat Region plans to invest 5.1 billion dirhams ($402 million). It will be fully compliant for FIFA competitions, and will be one of venues vieing to host the final of the 2030 World Cup 2030, Morocco’s naming as joint hosts for the tournament alongside Spain and Portugal. It will also serve as the home of two local clubs.
Scheduled to be completed in 2028, it will be used mostly for football matches and will also serve as the home of the Morocco national football team.
Christopher Lee, Managing Director at Populous for the EMEA region, said: “We are very proud to work alongside our partners Oualalou + Choi on this incredible project. The Grand Stade Hassan II will be a truly iconic, landmark venue for Morocco and for football itself, that will become one of the great stadia of the world.”
Tarik Oualalou, Design Principal and founding partner at Oualalou + Choi and Lead Architect for the project, added: “The Grand Stade Hassan II is deeply rooted in Moroccan culture, with its traditions and contemporary expressions. It is rooted in ancient and primordial figures: the Moussem, the tent, and the garden, as well as the topography and landscapes of Morocco. It’s a generous space, open to the world and respectful to the Nature it protects. The Grand Stade Hassan II de Casablanca is the embodiment of the great tradition of Moroccan hospitality.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734830003labto1734830003ofdlr1734830003owedi1734830003sni@g1734830003niwe.1734830003yrrah1734830003