Ahly unveil new stadium in historic ceremony at Hatshepsut temple - Egyptian Football

Al-Ahram Weekly

15-02-2025

Egyptian powerhouse Ahly have taken a monumental leap toward realizing their long-awaited vision with the official launch of the "Project of the Century", a sprawling sports city in Sheikh Zayed, west of Cairo, during Friday's FIFA Club World Cup trophy ceremony.
Backed by a consortium of local and international partners, the landmark project aims to transform Egypt's sports infrastructure and cement Al Ahly's status as a continental powerhouse.
A 42,000-seat stadium: Designed without a running track to maximize fan proximity to the pitch, aligning with global standards.
Specialized facilities: A sports hospital, museum chronicling the club's 120-year legacy, a sports university, a youth academy, and a hotel.
Phased construction: Phase one will prioritize the stadium and hotel, while phase two introduces the university, hospital, and auxiliary training pitches.
Egyptian financial heavyweight Beltone Leasing & Factoring has committed EGP 4 billion (USD 80 million) to the project, with developer Al Qalaa Al Hamraa for Facilities Management securing additional funding to meet the total estimated cost of EGP 8–9 billion.
Beltone's role as exclusive financial advisor highlights the initiative's strategic importance to Egypt's economic and sporting ambitions.
The collaboration includes 15 global and regional firms, such as Hilton International, UAE-based Palm Sport, and leading engineering consultancies, ensuring world-class execution.
Design Reveal & Timeline
The stadium's final design was unveiled at a high-profile ceremony in Luxor's Hatshepsut Temple, attended by club dignitaries and partners.
The event also served as a prelude to Ahly's upcoming participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Construction is set to begin immediately, with completion targeted within 200 weeks (approximately four years).
Ahly President Mahmoud El-Khatib hailed the project as a 'historic milestone,' emphasizing its role in diversifying the club's revenue streams and elevating Egypt's global sports profile.
Mohamed Kamel, CEO of Al Qalaa Al Hamraa, added: 'This isn't just a stadium – it's a holistic hub for health, education, and athletic excellence.'
During his address, Kamel unveiled the stadium's closely guarded design via a video showcasing its standout features, including stands emblazoned with the club's iconic name and logo, a suspended circular screen beneath the roof, premium changing rooms, and adjacent restaurants and cafés.
The sports city is poised to boost tourism, generate employment, and inspire future athletes. By integrating cutting-edge medical, educational, and training facilities, the project aims to nurture homegrown talent and position Egypt as a regional sports leader.
With groundwork now underway, Ahly's legion of supporters eagerly anticipates a new era for the club and Egyptian sport.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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