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The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 is set to be a spectacular affair with the 51 matches to be played in nine state-of-the-art stadiums.
The Lusail Stadium leads the way, with the iconic stadium to host the opening match between Qatar and Lebanon and the final.
Join AFC Media as we take a look at the stadiums that will feature the continent’s best players vying for the coveted AFC Asian Cup trophy.
Lusail Stadium
Capacity: 88,000
Location: Doha
Matches: First group match (including the opening ceremony), Final
The 88,000-seat Lusail Stadium will embody Qatar’s ambition and its passion for sharing West Asia with the world.
The iconic Lusail Stadium, which staged the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final, will rise to the fore again by hosting the opening match between defending champions Qatar and Lebanon in Group A on January 12.
The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ will return to the Lusail Stadium when it culminates in the Final on February 10.
With a capacity of 88,000, the Lusail Stadium will be one of the largest match venues in AFC Asian Cup™ history behind Tehran’s Aryamehr Stadium, which seated 100,000 spectators during the 1976 final between Iran and Kuwait, and the 88,083-capacity Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta that hosted seven matches in 2007.
Khalifa International Stadium
Capacity: 45,857
Location: Al Rayyan
Matches: 5 group matches, 1 Round of 16
The Khalifa International Stadium – Qatar’s national stadium – hosted the final of the AFC Asian Cup 2011™.
In May 2017, Qatar celebrated the reopening of its most beloved stadium with a spectacular inauguration ceremony and by hosting the final of the Amir Cup.
Located at the centre of all the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 venues, the stadium will play a pivotal role in this tournament, whose unique geography and advanced transport systems will make it the best-connected international football competition ever.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium
Capacity: 45,032
Location: Al Rayyan
Matches: 4 group matches, 1 Round of 16, 1 Quarter-final, 1 Semi-final
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Qatar’s gateway to the desert, opened its doors to the world on December 18, 2020 with a spectacular debut that included the Amir Cup final.
Al Rayyan, where Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is located, is known for its love of traditions and local culture, as well as its hugely popular football team, Al Rayyan Sports Club. The close-knit community here is deeply committed to the team.
Built mostly from recycled material from a previous stadium, it hosted the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches through to the quarter-final stage.
Al Janoub Stadium
Capacity: 44,325
Location: Al Warkah
Matches: 4 group matches, 1 Round of 16, 1 Quarter-final
Located in the southern city of Al Wakrah, the 40,000-capacity Al Janoub Stadium opened on May 16, 2019 with the Amir Cup final, which saw Al Duhail SC emerge victorious over Al Sadd.
Another full house witnessed a semi-final of the 24th edition of the Gulf Cup in December 2019 when Qatar took on Saudi Arabia.
One of Qatar’s oldest continuously inhabited areas, Al Wakrah was long a centre for pearl diving and fishing. The traditional dhow boats used in these pursuits inspired the design of Al Janoub Stadium.
Fans will enjoy this venue, which will see action till the quarter-finals.
Al Bayt Stadium
Capacity: 68,895
Location: Al Khor
Matches: 2 group matches, 1 Round of 16, 1 Quarter-final
Fans arriving at this 68,895-capacity arena will have never seen anything like it. A giant tent structure covers the entire stadium, located in the northern city of Al Khor.
The stadium hosted the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2022 and fixtures right through to the semi-finals.
Just 35km north of Doha, Al Khor is a city famous for its pearl diving and fishing; its charms tempted traditionally desert-dwelling people to the coast.
Jassim Bin Hamad
Capacity: 15,000
Location: Doha
Matches: 6 group matches, 1 Round of 16
Home to Al Sadd SC, this stadium hosted matches during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011, including the quarter-final stage as well as the third place playoff.
The stadium is regularly used for prestigious football matches. During the 2014/2015 season, the stadium witnessed the Italian Super Copa between Napoli and Juventus.
The ground has been developed extensively over the years, with the best facilities available to teams and fans alike.
Education City Stadium
Capacity: 44,667
Location: Al Rayyan
Matches: 4 group matches, 1 Round of 16, 1 Quarter-final
Welcome to Education City, a vibrant centre of knowledge and innovation, with a spectacular 44,667-seat stadium at its heart.
The official completion of Education City Stadium on June 15, 2020 was marked with a special TV programme to showcase the third match-ready FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 venue.
Fans will enjoy this AFC Asian Cup stadium, which hosted FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches through to the quarter-final stage of the tournament.
Al Thumama Stadium
Capacity: 44,400
Location: Doha
Matches: 4 group matches, 1 Round of 16, 1 Semi-final
Al Thumama Stadium’s inauguration was as host of the 49th Amir Cup Final on October 22, 2021. The match, close to the heart of all Qataris, was a fitting occasion to open a stadium steeped in local culture.
Located 12km south of Doha’s glittering skyline, Al Thumama Stadium hosted FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches up to and including the quarter-finals.
The stadium design was inspired by the ghafiya, a traditional woven cap in the region, and is meant to symbolise Qatar’s youth.
Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium
Capacity: 10,000
Location: Doha
Matches: 6 group matches, 1 Round of 16
Home to Al Duhail SC, this compact stadium previously hosted the semi-final of the 24th Gulf Cup.
Based in the Doha district of Duhail, the stadium has hosted a number of important domestic cup finals, along with it being the venue for the 2016 AFC U23 Championship final.
