- Azadi Stadium
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Azadi Stadium Full name Azadi Stadium Former names Aryamehr Stadium (1971-1979) Location Tehran, Iran Coordinates 35°43′27.99″N 51°16′31.88″E / 35.7244417°N 51.2755222°E Built 1971 Opened 1971 Renovated 2002-03 Owner Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Surface Grass Scoreboard 104m² Jumbotron Architect Abdolaziz Farmanfarmaian Capacity 100,000 [1][2] Field dimensions 110 x 75 m Tenants Iran 1973-
Iran U-23 1990-
Persepolis 1971-2002 , 2003-
Esteghlal 1971-2002 , 2003-
1974 Asian Games
1976 AFC Asian CupThe Azadi Stadium (Persian: ورزشگاه آزادی) formerly Aryamehr Stadium (Persian: ورزشگاه آریامهر) is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people [3][4] and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games. The stadium is part of the much larger Azadi Sports Complex, and is surrounded by a rowing river, football training pitches, a weightlifting complex, swimming facilities and indoor volleyball and futsal courts, among many other amenities. Azadi Stadium is the fifth biggest association football stadium in the world, fourth in Asia and first in the Middle East.[5][6]
Azadi Stadium hosts most of Iran's national games, and is the home arena for Persepolis F.C. and Esteghlal F.C. in the Iran Pro League.
The stadium is located in the West of Tehran, and is easily accessible for most people living in the city. Opposing teams often find it difficult to play their best game, when the stadium is full, as the noise level becomes very high. According to Goal.com, Azadi Stadium was voted most intimidating in Asia.
The stadium hosted two West Asian Football Federation Championship in 2004 and 2008. The stadium also hosted thos Asian Club Championship in 1999 and 2002 where the hosts Esteghlal and Persepolis finished second and third. In 2008 AFC forced Sepahan to play the home matches in AFC Champions League in this stadium. The stadium also is the regular host for Iran u-23 for the Olympics football qualifying.
Azadi Stadium is the biggest Stadium in Middle East.
Contents
History
Azadi Sport Complex was constructed for the 7th Asian Games in 1974 with international criteria. Its land measurement is 450 Hectares and it is located in West Tehran. This sports complex not only has the ability to put in effect different local sport fields, but also is a proper place to have celebrations, meetings, different ceremonies of governmental and ordinary organizations, and sporting camps.
Though a simple bowl concrete structure, the stadium is a breathtaking site. Situated west of the capital, an arching, slightly raised outer shell appears to give way as sweeping stands sink down to pitch side, as if the ground collapsed during building.
In 2002, the lower level of the stadium had seats installed, the pitch was replanted along with the installation of an underground heating system. Stadium management also plans to later install seats in the upper level of the stadium. The renovations were completed in 2003, reducing the capacity of the stadium to 100,000 (Originally 120,000 capacity) as the lower level of the stadium was refurnished with 35,000 seats. Despite its reduced capacity, Azadi Stadium has been filled over capacity at times such as the Iran-Japan World Cup 2006 qualification match in March 2005 which resulted in the deaths of seven people. In 2004 a large jumbotron television was added, replacing the original scoreboard. This giant screen with a total area of about 300 square meters and screen area of 104 square meters (20m by 7.5m) is one of the biggest in the world.
The stadium was originally called Aryamehr Stadium but then changed to Azadi Stadium after the Iranian Revolution; "Azadi" means freedom in Persian.
With an official capacity of 90,000, on the big occasions the crowd swells well beyond that. The design of the stadium amplifies the noise across the pitch.
Building and facilities
The architect is Abdolaziz Farmanfarmaian.
The all-seated capacity is 100,000. During important matches, the stadium has a maximum capacity of 90,000 visitors.
There is parking space for 400 cars inside the stadium; and there are additional 7,000 parking spots outside.
The nearest train station is Azadi Stadium Metro Station.
Gallery
See also
- List of association football stadia by capacity
- Football in Iran
- Azadiye Stadium
- Azadi Sport Complex
- Azadi Tower
References
- ^ http://www.azadisportcomplex.com/place.asp
- ^ http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/stadium_list/100000.shtml
- ^ http://www.azadisportcomplex.com/place.asp
- ^ http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_menu/stadium_list/100000.shtml
- ^ http://www.azadisportcomplex.com/place.asp
- ^ http://wikimapia.org/6225547/Azadi-Stadium
External links
Coordinates: 35°43′27.99″N 51°16′31.98″E / 35.7244417°N 51.27555°E
Preceded by
National Stadium
BangkokAFC Asian Cup
Host Venue
1976Succeeded by
Sabah Al-Salem Stadium
Kuwait City
(as Final Venue)Preceded by
Hong Kong Stadium
Hong KongAsian Club Championship
Final Venue
1999Succeeded by
King Fahd Stadium
RiyadhPreceded by
Suwon World Cup Stadium
SuwonAsian Club Championship
Final Venue
2002Succeeded by
Vacant
( Two-legged finals )Preceded by
Abbasiyyin Stadium
DamascusWest Asian Football Federation Championship
Final Venue
2004Succeeded by
Amman International Stadium
AmmanPreceded by
Amman International Stadium
AmmanWest Asian Football Federation Championship
Final Venue
2008Succeeded by
Amman International Stadium
AmmanAsian Games stadia New Delhi 1951 • Manila 1954 • Tokyo 1958 • Jakarta 1962 • Bangkok 1966 • Bangkok 1970 • Tehran 1974 • Bangkok 1978 • New Delhi 1982 • Seoul 1986 • Beijing 1990 • Hiroshima 1994 • Bangkok 1998 • Busan 2002 • Doha 2006 • Guangzhou 2010 • Incheon 2014Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club (Piroozi) sections Other teams Reserves and Academy · LadiesHome stadium Training ground Rivalries Media Persepolis (newspaper) · Persepolis Men (film): 1 - 2 · ShishtayihaRelated articles Ali Abdo, Persepolis F.C. 6–0 Taj F.C., Sorkhpooshan Delvar Afzar · IPL managers · Captains · Foreign players · Famous players · Pro League Players · All articlesCategories:- Persepolis F.C.
- Esteghlal F.C.
- Buildings and structures in Tehran
- Football venues in Iran
- AFC Asian Cup stadiums
- Sport in Tehran
- National stadiums
- Sex segregation
- Stadiums of the Asian Games
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