Revealed: The incredible stadium feature just for Qatar World Cup VIPs

Revealed: The incredible stadium feature that lets World Cup VIPs arrive right next to their seats – instead of waiting hours in a huge queue to leave stadium 35km from Doha

  • The incredible stadium feature that lets VIPs arrive right next to their seats
  • Ordinary fans will need to walk for at least 20 mins to get into the stadium
  • Al Bayt Stadium is located in the desert with hardly any transport infrastructure
  • Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results

Getting into stadiums has been a headache for many fans at the World Cup in Qatar, but not for the VIPs at the Al Bayt ground, where they can almost drive straight into the facility itself.

All the stadiums being used at the World Cup are within 35km of Doha, meaning fans can potentially attend multiple matches per day.

Getting into stadiums has been a headache for many fans at the World Cup in Qatar, but not for the VIPs at the Al Bayt Stadium (pictured) who can almost drive into the stadium itself via a drop-off ramp

All the stadiums being used at the World Cup are within 35km of Doha, meaning fans can potentially attend multiple matches a day

The tiny country’s $36billion Metro system has been handy transporting the massive influx of fans to games, but most of the time there’s still a long walk from drop-off points to your seat in the stadium.

Al Bayt is one of the trickier venues to get to, as it’s located 30km north of Doha with no infrastructure connecting it to the city other than a road network.

Even if fans get the bus or an Uber to the stadium, they face a minimum of 20 minutes walking to to get inside.

However, if you’re a VIP you don’t have to worry about any of that because the Al Bayt Stadium has a ramp that goes up several levels into the stadium to drop people off.

The design of the 60,000 seat facility in Al Khor was inspired by the tents used in the Qatari desert and also features a luxury hotel overlooking the pitch.

The tiny country’s $36 billion Metro system has been handy transporting the massive influx of fans to games, but most of the time there’s still a long walk from drop-off points to actually getting to your seat in the stadium

Ninety-six rooms circle the entire pitch where VIP guests can walk out onto their balcony and watch the game. 

Ahmed Al-Binali, the Mobility Operation Director at the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, says the stadiums are fit for purpose.

‘As you can see, my country is ready,’ he said.

‘With regards to the opening match, we recommend fans and locals use their private vehicles as the transport modes can be utilised by international fans.

‘We have also created around 80,000 car parks all around the stadium and fans have the options to choose between buses, metro, and taxis.

The design of the 60,000 seat stadium in Al Khor was inspired by the tents used in the Qatari desert and also features a luxury hotel overlooking the pitch

‘Spectators can take any of the 37 metro stations and utilise their bus stations to the stadiums. We also have more than 18,000 taxis available including Uber, Kareem, and Karwa. The tournament buses are free of charge to all Hayya holders.’

Earlier in the week, English football great Gary Lineker shared an image of the distinctive stadium on social media accompanied by the comment, ‘Might be my favourite stadium’.

The BBC host faced immediate backlash from fans who believe he shouldn’t be praising the controversial hosts of the World Cup.

One Twitter user wrote: ‘It’s a real shame thousands of people died building it.’

Another added: ‘I like you Gary but this is incredibly tone deaf of you. It’s one thing to be there presenting the football, that’s your job and we are all watching. But this is poor.’

A third said: ‘Are you being paid to say nice things about the stadiums each night? It’s definitely coming across that way.’

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