AusLeisure

The Government of Dubai has revealed plans to build a new 60,000-seat stadium as part of the United Arab Emirate's bid to host the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.

Revealed as the UAE Football Association (UEAFA) outlined its bid to host the 2019 Asian Cup, the stadium will be funded by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and built close to Dubai Sports City.

The bid proposal also includes plans for games to be played at other DSC venues as well as at stadia in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Abu Dhabi would hold games at Zayed Sports City and the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, while Al Ain would stage matches at the recently opened Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and the Khalifa International Stadium.

Set to be expanded to 24 teams, the 2019 AFC Asian Cup requires bidding nations to have six suitable stadia.

The UAE is competing against bids from Iran, Saudi Arabia and Thailand for the right to host the Asian Cup for the second time, and first since 1996, but UAEFA board member Yousef Khouri believes their experience at hosting top class sporting events gives them an advantage.

Khouri explained "the last time we hosted this event was in 1996 and after that we longed to host it again.

"The UAE is known for hosting big events in all areas, especially football."

The UAE most recently hosted the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2013, with Al Khouri adding "I think by the end of the year we could host the 2015 Asian Cup, but I hope we will be lucky and host the 2019 Asian Cup."

The decision on who will host the 2019 Cup is expected to be made at November's AFC Executive Committee meeting.

15th October 2012 - DUBAI SPORTS CITY INVESTORS PETITION DUBAI LAND DEPARTMENT

30th August 2012 - AL WASL TO BECOME UAE’S FIRST AIR-CONDITIONED SPORTS STADIUM

3rd December 2010 - QATAR WINS 2022 WORLD CUP BID

17th February 2010 - BIDS SOUGHT FOR $1 BILLION ABU DHABI FOOTBALL STADIUM

23rd April 2009 - CRICKET STADIUM OPENS AT DUBAI SPORTS CITY

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.