Morocco has just officially launched the construction tender for the Grand Stade Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane province. Also, the country has the ambitious plans of making it the largest stadium in the world. The second phase of this ambitious stadium project, with an estimated cost of MAD 3.2 billion ($320 million), follows the nearly completed earthworks phase.
Furthermore, as revealed by converging reports, this new stage will entail major structural elements. These elements are masonry, waterproofing, metal framework, coverings, false ceilings, carpentry, and even painting.
Hassan II Stadium Factsheet
Name: Hassan II Stadium also known as Grand Stade de Casablanca.
Location: Benslimane, near Casablanca, Morocco (approximately 38 km north-east of Casablanca in the Beni Amer forest area of El Mansouria).
Status: Under Construction; Earthworks are nearing completion , with tenders for construction works to be launched soon.
Planned opening: 2028.
Owner: Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
Operator: SONARGES.
Planned capacity: 115,000 spectators, making it the largest football stadium in the world upon completion, surpassing the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea (114,000).
Architects: Consortium led by Oualalou + Choi (local firm Tarik Oualalou Architecte) and Populous.
Construction cost: Estimated at MAD 5 billion (approximately US$500 million). The second phase of construction is budgeted at MAD 3.2 billion (US$320 million).
Key design features:
- Inspired by traditional Moroccan cultural festivals known as “moussem” and the form of traditional tents.
- Covered by a large, translucent tent-like roof made from a unique aluminum lattice.
- The roof is supported by a ring of 32 stairways. This will create monumental entrances with botanical gardens on raised platforms (28 meters high).
- Features three tiers of seating in the main stands and two large single-tier stands at each end.
- Includes five levels of hospitality suites along the main stands, including a royal box.
- Incorporates extensive greenery, including botanical gardens at ground level and raised gardens at the entrances, aiming to create an “oasis of greenery.”
- The designers have ensured full compliance with FIFA standards, enabling the stadium to host the final of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
- Lastly, part of a larger 100-hectare sports and entertainment complex that will include training fields, a hotel, a conference center, an athletics stadium, a sports hall, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, a play area, two shopping centers, and four parking lots
The National Agency for Public Equipment (ANEP) is the one supervising the stadium project as the delegated project manager for the National Company for the Implementation and Management of Sports Equipment (SONARGES).
Also, the authorities have set the tender submission deadline for June 10 at exactly 10:00 a.m. The contractor must complete the stadium project within 30 months from the date specified in the service order, which the authorities must issue within 30 days after they approve the contract.
Timelines
This timeline of the stadium project aligns with statements from Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Additionally, he projected completion of the stadium by December 2027. This is in preparation for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Also read: $500M Hassan II Stadium Construction Underway Ahead of 2030 World Cup, Morocco
