Azadi Stadium

Full name	Azadi Stadium
Former names	Aryamehr Stadium
Location	Tehran, Iran
Coordinates	35°43′27.99″N 51°16′31.98″E / 35.7244417°N 51.27555°E / 35.7244417; 51.27555
Built	1971
Opened	1971
Renovated	2002-03
Owner	Iran Physical Education Organization
Surface	Grass
Scoreboard	104m² Jumbotron
Architect	Abdolaziz Farmanfarmaian
Capacity	98,000 [1]
Field dimensions	110 x 75 m
Tenants
Persepolis F.C. 1971-2002 , 2003- Esteghlal F.C. 1971-2002 , 2003- Team Melli (1973)- 1974 Asian Games Iran U-23 1990- Asian Club Championship: 1998-99 , 2001-02 WAFF: 2004 , 2008(Final) Sepahan 2008

The Azadi Stadium (Persian: ورزشگاه آزادی) is Iran's national and largest stadium. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 90,000 people [1] [2] and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games. The stadium is part of the much larger Azadi Sports Complex, and is surrounded by a rowing river, football (Soccer) training pitches, weightlifting complex, swimming facilities and indoor volleyball and futsal courts, among many other amenities. Azadi Stadium is fourth biggest association football stadium in the world, third in Asia and first in Iran and the Middle East.

Azadi Stadium is where most of Iran's national games, and where Persepolis F.C.'s and Esteghlal F.C.'s Iran Pro League matches are played.

In 2002, the lower level of the stadium had seats installed, the pitch was replanted along with the installation of an underground heating system. Stadium management also plans to later install seats in the upper level of the stadium. The renovations were completed in 2003, reducing the capacity of the stadium to 90,000 (Originally 100,000 capacity) as the lower level of the stadium was refurnished with 35,000 seats. Despite its reduced capacity, Azadi Stadium has been filled over capacity at times such as the Iran-Japan World Cup 2006 qualification match in March 2005 which resulted in the deaths of seven people. In 2004 a large jumbotron television was added, replacing the original scoreboard. This giant screen with a total area of about 300 square meters and screen area of 104 square meters (20m by 7.5m) is one of the biggest in the world.

The stadium was originally called the Aryamehr Stadium in honor of the former Shah of Iran but then changed to Azadi Stadium after the Iranian Revolution; "Azadi" means freedom in Persian. The stadium is located in the West of Tehran, and is easily accessible for most people living in the city. Opposing teams often find it difficult to play their best game, when the stadium is full, as the noise level becomes very high. According to Goal.com, Azadi Stadium was voted most intimidating in Asia.

The stadium hosted two West Asian Football Federation Championship in 2004 and 2008. The stadium also hosted thos Asian Club Championship in 1999 and 2002 where the hosts Esteghlal and Persepolis finished second and third. In 2008 AFC forced Sepahan to play the home matches in AFC Champions League in this stadium. The stadium also is the regular host for Iran u-23 for the Olympics football qualifying.

[edit] See also

• Football in Iran
• Azadiye Stadium
• Azadi Sport Complex
• Azadi Tower

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official website of the Azadi Sports Complex

Coordinates: 35°43′27.99″N 51°16′31.98″E / 35.7244417°N 51.27555°E / 35.7244417; 51.27555

Preceded by National Stadium Bangkok	AFC Asian Cup Host Venue 1976	Succeeded by Sabah Al-Salem Stadium Kuwait City (as Final Venue)
Preceded by Hong Kong Stadium Hong Kong	Asian Club Championship Final Venue 1999	Succeeded by King Fahd Stadium Riyadh
Preceded by Suwon World Cup Stadium Suwon	Asian Club Championship Final Venue 2002	Succeeded by Vacant ( Two-legged finals ) Title next held by Olympic Stadium Tokyo

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Category:Tehran Azadi Stadium