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Join on Telegram Morocco has officially opened its new Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with Italian newspaper Tuttosport calling it “a new jewel in international football.”
Designed by the global stadium firm Populous, the stadium holds 68,700 spectators and features a unique LED façade. It was inaugurated on 4 September 2025 by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, and hosted its first match the next day, where Morocco beat Niger 5-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Tuttosport zeroed in on the stadium’s fan-focused design, saying it “focuses on enhancing acoustics and atmosphere, with supporters placed close to the pitch to channel their enthusiasm into a powerful wall of sound.” The southern stand alone can hold 23,000 fans across two levels, with the upper tier rising eight metres above the lower, giving supporters a close-up view of the action.
The stadium meets FIFA standards and is set to host matches up to the semi-finals of the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. It is equipped with modern broadcasting systems, a 360° wind-protection roof, and extensive VIP and hospitality areas.
Its design draws on Morocco’s heritage, inspired by palm trees lining Rabat’s streets and traditional crafts like the “Point de Fès” embroidery. The façade covers 100,000 square metres with 19,200 champagne-coloured aluminium triangles and 70 kilometres of LED lights that create a striking display at sunset.
The western stand houses the royal box, VIP suites, and hospitality lounges, while the eastern stand offers flexible suites across three levels, all giving excellent views of the southern stand.
Tuttosport also admired the speed of construction, with work starting in September 2023 and completing in just 24 months, thanks to close coordination between Populous and Moroccan contractor SGTM.
The stadium is also integrated into the city, with a new public entrance plaza linked to a modern train station and connecting nearby districts Hay Riad and Akkari.
François Clément, senior principal at Populous, said: “The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is a new jewel in international football, not only in Morocco but in Africa and the world. We have provided world-class facilities, improved access for fans, enhanced the spectator experience, and delivered the most ambitious and daring stadium façade ever.”
