The
Azadi Stadium formerly
Aryamehr Stadium is
IranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
's
national stadiumMany countries have a national football stadium, which typically serves as the primary or exclusive home for one or more of a country's national representative sports teams. The term is most often used in reference to an association football stadium. Usually, a national stadium will be in or very...
and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people and was built to host the
1974 Asian GamesThe 7th Asian Games were held from September 1, 1974 to September 16, 1974 in Tehran, Iran. The Aryamehr sports complex was made for the Games. The Asian Games were hosted in the Middle East for the first time...
. 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 the Middle East.
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 ChampionshipThe West Asian Football Federation Championship is a football competition of mainly West Asian countries and territories. The event is organised by West Asian Football Federation...
in 2004 and 2008.
The stadium also hosted thos Asian Club Championship in 1999 and 2002 where the hosts Esteghlal and Persepolis finished second and third.
In 2008
AFCThe Asian Football Confederation is the governing body of association football in Asia. It has 46 member countries, mostly located on the Asian continent. However, due to the disputed boundary of Europe and Asia, nations such as Russia and Turkey which are located mostly in geographic Asia are...
forced Sepahan to play the home matches in
AFC Champions LeagueThe AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
in this stadium.
The stadium also is the regular host for
Iran u-23Iran national under-23 football team represents Iran in international football competitions in Olympic Games and Asian Games, as well as any other under-23 international football tournaments...
for the Olympics football qualifying.
Azadi Stadium is the biggest Stadium in Middle East.
History
Azadi Sport Complex was constructed for the 7th
Asian GamesThe Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
in 1974 with international criteria. Its land measurement is 450 Hectares and it is located in West
TehranTehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. 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
stadiumA modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
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
IranThe national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
-
JapanThe Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in 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 RevolutionThe Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
; "Azadi" means freedom in
PersianPersian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
.
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.
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 StationAzadi Stadium Metro Station is a station in Tehran Metro Line 5. It is located north of Tehran-Karaj Freeway and south of Azadi Stadium. It is between Ekbatan Metro Station and Chitgar Metro Station....
.
See also
- List of association football stadia by capacity
- Football in Iran
Football in Iran is quite possibly the most popular sport, with only wrestling and volleyball being able to match its popularity. Football has been a part of life for Iranians for many decades now and is played in schools, alleys, streets and football clubs nationwide.-History of football in...
- Azadiye Stadium
The Azadiye Stadium is a new 40,000 seat covered stadium in Tehran, Iran. It is a set to be a purpose built sports complex to be used by women only. It was completed in 2009 ahead of the Women's Islamic Games set to be held in Tehran. It is near the Azadi Stadium.-See also:*Iran women's national...
- Azadi Sport Complex
The Azadi Sport Complex is the national sports complex of Iran based in Tehran.-Facilities:* Azadi Stadium* Azadiye Stadium* Azadi Bicycling Stadium* Azadi Indoor Stadium* Azadi Swimming Pool Hall...
- Azadi Tower
The Azadi Tower , previously known as the Shahyād Āryāmehr , is the symbol of Tehran, the capital of Iran, and marks the entrance to the city.-Construction:...
External links