Azadi Stadium

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 / 35.7244417; 51.2755222
Built	1971
Opened	1971
Renovated	2002-03
Owner	Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Surface	Grass
Scoreboard	104m² Jumbotron
Architect	Abdol-Aziz Mirza Farmanfarmaian
Capacity	100,000 [1][2]
Field dimensions	110 x 75 m
Tenants
Iran 1973- Iran U-23 1990- Persepolis 1971- Esteghlal 1971- 1974 Asian Games 1976 AFC Asian Cup

The 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 West Asia.^[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 the 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 West Asia.

Azadi Stadium is set to have another round of renovations in 2013.

History

Iran - South Korea match, 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

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. The famous 2006 film, "Offside", starring Sima Mobarak Shahi and Ida Sadeghi, about girls trying to get in the stadium to watch a football match, was filmed there.

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

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Azadi Stadium

• Official website of the Azadi Sports Complex

Coordinates: 35°43′27.99″N 51°16′31.98″E / 35.7244417°N 51.27555°E / 35.7244417; 51.27555

Preceded by National Stadium Bangkok	AFC Asian Cup Host Venue 1976	Succeeded by Sabah Al-Salem Stadium Kuwait City (as Final Venue)
Preceded by Hong Kong Stadium Hong Kong	Asian Club Championship Final Venue 1999	Succeeded by King Fahd Stadium Riyadh
Preceded by Suwon World Cup Stadium Suwon	Asian Club Championship Final Venue 2002	Succeeded by Vacant ( Two-legged finals )
Preceded by Abbasiyyin Stadium Damascus	West Asian Football Federation Championship Final Venue 2004	Succeeded by Amman International Stadium Amman
Preceded by Amman International Stadium Amman	West Asian Football Federation Championship Final Venue 2008	Succeeded by King Abdullah Stadium Amman