This submission has been prepared by Boogertman + Partners Architects in response to the proposal call received from members of the Board of Directors of Al Ahly SC Egypt. In addition to analyzing the brief and researching the club and its crest, we posed questions to explore the stadium’s identity and its realization as a FIFA-compliant venue.

“Stadium as a memorial.” The stadium design integrates monumentality through 20m high, deep-set colonnades, blending modernity with historic inspiration. Red walls, symbolizing “The Red Castle,” align with Al Ahly Club’s history and memorialize its 72 martyrs via swirling roof geometry. These sun-shading walls intimidate opponents and honor the club’s heritage. Constructed of rusticated corten steel, they provide permanence and feature varied cutouts and arches to highlight entrances. This approach ensures a shaded, ventilated space while evoking respect, continuity, and the spirit of the club.

“The stadium roof embodies the flight of the Steppe Eagle through radial swoops radiating from the field’s center, echoing feather geometry. The design integrates lightweight cable net structures with diagrid systems for stability, creating pitched roof swirls with spines and fabric defining the feather-like appearance. This concept ensures iconic postcard views from above and captivating perspectives for fans below. The alternating red and gold colors of the swirls emphasize the radial dynamic, enhancing the roof’s visual and symbolic impact”.

The masterplan provided inadequate space for the stadium footprint and circulation, including road access, fan separation routes, and access from the east sports club. We recommended realigning road access and basement entrances, adding major urban stairs to the north and southeast for controlled podium access. This design facilitates match day and non-match day activities like museum tours. The medical facility was placed northeast, outside the stadium, near the tunnel for emergency access, with wide field-level tunnels ensuring safety during emergencies.