11 New Stadiums Changing the Way We Watch Sports

5. Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor, Qatar (Opened 2021)

Inspired by traditional Bedouin tents, Al Bayt Stadium is a cultural homage wrapped in architectural excellence. Opened for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, this 60,000-seat stadium marries heritage with modernity. The tent-like exterior isn't just aesthetic—it helps shield the stadium from desert heat while symbolizing hospitality, a core tenet of Qatari culture. Inside, a massive retractable roof and advanced cooling systems ensure year-round comfort. It’s the only stadium in the world shaped like a nomadic shelter yet built to FIFA’s highest standards. Its upper seating bowl was designed with modularity in mind, intended for future repurposing as a smaller venue and for donating sections to developing nations. Al Bayt also boasts smart energy systems, solar power capabilities, and a LEED certification for environmental stewardship. With panoramic hospitality boxes, LED mood lighting, and immersive crowd acoustics, it creates an atmosphere as grand as its exterior silhouette. Al Bayt is more than a stadium—it’s an architectural tribute with a global conscience.