Abbasiyyin Stadium

Abbasiyyin Stadium

ملعب العباسيين
The Abbasiyyin Stadium on a 1998 fifty Syrian pound banknote
Location	Damascus, Syria
Coordinates	33°31′22.04″N 36°19′12.58″E / 33.5227889°N 36.3201611°ECoordinates: 33°31′22.04″N 36°19′12.58″E / 33.5227889°N 36.3201611°E
Owner	Government of Syria
Operator	General Sports Federation of Syria
Capacity	30,000
Field size	105 x 70 m
Surface	Grass
Scoreboard	yes
Construction
Built	1957
Renovated	1976, 1992, 2011
Tenants
Syria national football team Al-Wahda SC Damascus Al-Jaish SC Damascus Al-Majd Damascus

Abbasiyyin Stadium (Arabic: ملعب العباسيين‎) is a multi-use all-seater stadium in Damascus, Syria, currently used mostly for football matches and serves as the home venue of the Syrian national team. It is also home to Syrian Premier League clubs Al-Wahda, Al-Jaish and Al-Majd. The stadium which was built in 1976 is able to hold up to 30,000 spectators, being the 4th largest stadium in Syria.

History

The stadium was originally opened in 1957 with a capacity of 10,000 spectators, to host football matches and local athletics events.

On the occasion of the 5th Pan Arab Games in 1976,^[1] the stadium was entirely renovated and the capacity was expanded up to 40,000 spectators.

However, after the most recent renovation in March 2011, Abbasiyyin Stadium was turned into an all-seater stadium and the capacity was reduced to 30,000 seats.^[2]

Abbasiyyin Stadium hosted the 5th and 7th Pan Arab Games in 1976 and 1992 respectively as a main venue.

On 6 May 2001, a holy mass was conducted by Pope John Paul II in the Abbasiyyin Stadium.^[3]

References

1. http://www.esyria.sy/edamascus/index.php?p=stories&category=places&filename=201002051035011 eDamascus:Abbasiyyin Stadium
2. http://www.albaath.news.sy/user/?id=1083&a=95953 Al-Baath newspaper 10 March 2011
3. Pope John Paul II, holy mass in Damascus Abbasiyyin Stadium