World’s largest football stadium, co-designed by Populous, to rise in Morocco

The design for the Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco, a 115,000-seat stadium destined to become the largest in the world, has been unveiled to the public. The infrastructure was designed by Paris-based architects Oualalou + Choi in collaboration with Populous, a leader in sports infrastructure, and will be built with public funding. Morocco is co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

The structure, covered by a large, tent-like roof that rises, is inspired by the aesthetics of traditional Moroccan convivial events, known as moussem. At the two ends of the stadium’s enormous bowl, there are three steep, compact stands, each accommodating 29,500 spectators. Five different areas along each of the main stands on the sides of the field are dedicated to hospitality and will host 12,000 guests, including VVIPs, VIPs, hospitality areas, and private boxes, as well as the royal box. The roof will be made of a special aluminum mesh. A ring of 32 grandstands will support its geometry, as well as that of the stadium bowl, creating monumental entrances punctuated by hanging gardens, 28 meters above the ground.