Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium Explained

Stadium Name:Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium
Fullname:Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium
Location:Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Opened:1983
Renovated:2021–2023
Operator:Al-Ettifaq
Surface:Grass
Construction Cost:SAR90 million
Record Attendance:12,356 (Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Raed, 4 November 2023)
Former Names:Abdullah Al-Dabal Stadium (1983–2023)
Tenants:Al-Ettifaq (2023-present)
Seating Capacity:15,000

Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium, formerly known as Abdullah Al-Dabal Stadium, is a football stadium in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.[1] [2] It is the home stadium of Al-Ettifaq.

History

The stadium was built and opened in 1983 and it was mostly used by Al-Ettifaq as a training ground and for friendly matches. It was also used as a home stadium for their youth teams. The original design featured an athletics track and two stands on the sides, with a capacity of 7,500 spectators. It was named after Abdullah Al-Dabal, former president of Al-Ettifaq and a prominent football official, who was a member of the FIFA Executive Committee.[3]

On 10 June 2021, the Ministry of Sports announced plans to develop three smaller stadiums. Abdullah Al-Dabal Stadium was among them, plus the stadiums of Al-Shabab and Al-Fateh. On 10 July 2021, it was announced that the Abdullah Al-Dabal Stadium would be closed and undergo major renovations for six months.[4] The redevelopment plans included a change the layout of the stands to a more football-like layout. The existing athletics track will be removed. New stands will be built behind the goals and will receive new roofing. The capacity of the stadium will also increase to 15,000 spectators. However, construction work lasted longer than expected and it was announced that it would be done by January 2023.[5] [6] On 13 September 2023, the stadium was officially opened under the name of Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium.[7]

On 4 November 2023, Al-Ettifaq hosted their first-ever league match in the stadium against Al-Raed. The match ended in a 0–0 draw and had an attendance of 12,356 spectators.[8] On 24 November 2023, Georginio Wijnaldum scored the first goal in the stadium in a 1–1 draw against Al-Ittihad.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AL ETTIFAQ CLUB STADIUM .
  2. Web site: استاد عبدالله الدبل بنادي الاتفاق - Abdullah Aldabil Stadium .
  3. Web site: Abdullah Al-Dabal Stadium .
  4. Web site: إغلاق ملعب الاتفاق 6 أشهر .
  5. Web site: يناير.. الاتفاق يتسلم ملعبه .
  6. Web site: اقتراب الانتهاء من تطوير ملعب منشأة نادي الاتفاق .
  7. Web site: وزارة الرياضة تعلن جاهزية ملعب نادي الاتفاق .
  8. Web site: في افتتاحية ملعبه الجديد.. الاتفاق يسقط بفخ التعادل أمام الرائد .
  9. Web site: فينالدوم يدخل تاريخ الاتفاق بهدفه في الاتحاد .