Rising north of Casablanca, the Hassan II Grand Stadium is reshaping the world’s football infrastructure.
With a planned capacity of 115,000 spectators—larger than any football-specific stadium ever built—the venue will meet full FIFA competition standards and is set to become a cornerstone of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Momentum on construction accelerated after Morocco’s co-hosting role was confirmed in 2023 and public financing was approved. The total cost of the project is estimated at around 5 billion Moroccan dirhams (about $500 million).
Designed by Populous, the stadium draws deeply on Moroccan cultural references, including moussems, traditional tents, gardens, and the surrounding forested landscape. Its defining architectural feature is a vast, tent-like roof formed from a translucent aluminium lattice. The structure allows natural light to filter into the bowl while providing shade and limiting heat gain—an essential performance consideration at this scale.
Encircling the stadium is a ring of 32 monumental stairways, which form part of the roof’s structural system while also managing the movement of tens of thousands of spectators on event days.
The stadium’s immense scale is most apparent in its bowl, where three towering tiers at each end alone can accommodate nearly 29,500 spectators. Linking the two ends are five elevated hospitality levels, offering more than 12,000 premium seats for VIPs and box guests. Integrated within the complex is a purpose-built Royal Box, reflecting Morocco’s monarchy and designed to host heads of state and dignitaries during major global events.
Throughout the structure, elevated botanical gardens are woven into circulation routes, creating the impression that visitors remain immersed in nature as they move toward their seats. These green elements double as passive cooling features while expanding public green space within the stadium itself.
Once complete, the stadium will serve as the home ground for the Morocco national team as well as Casablanca rivals Raja CA and Wydad AC. Beyond football, the wider site is planned to include an athletics stadium, aquatic center, hotel, convention facilities, and landscaped public areas, positioning the project as a long-term sports and civic hub rather than a single-event venue.