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Imam Reza Stadium Nominated for Stadium of Year Award

The stadium offers over 27,000 covered seats, conference facilities for 570 people within the main stands, 10 indoor training halls beneath it and numerous sports amenities around; there is also a large multi-level parking for 1,200 cars
Imam Reza Stadium
Imam Reza Stadium

Imam Reza Stadium in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, is among the nominees for the Stadium of the Year (2017) Award.

Organized by Stadiumdb.com and Stadiony.net, Stadium of the Year is the world’s largest competition of its kind, inviting everyone to select the very best stadium opened in the previous year.

Stadiumdb.com is a Polish website which aims to introduce football stadiums with their lifespan covered from initial renderings, through construction and daily operation, to the demolition and history behind them.

A total of 27 stadiums from 19 countries have been nominated to become Stadium of the Year 2017 (the 8th edition of the award).

Voting, which began on January 29, is open to the public until March 4 and people can select their favorite stadiums at Stadiumdb.com.

However, there will be two titles of Stadium of the Year awarded; one from the public and another selected by a jury of experts - architects with experience and expertise in stadium design.

According to the website, it is a fascinating list of candidates this year. With the smallest ever representation of western Europe and curious debuts from countries never before involved: Argentina, Ecuador, Gabon, Malawi, Turkmenistan and Iran. For the second consecutive year Turkey tops the list in terms of number of stadiums with four modern venues opened last year.

  Modern Stadium

Imam Reza Stadium is one of the most modern stadiums in Iran. The stadium is designed by Iranian architect Masoud Ziaee.

Construction works at this 4.5-hectare stadium in northern Mashhad began back in early 2011. Back then the goal was to create a 25,000-seat stadium with partial cover and ability to hold major athletic and football events, Stadiumdb.com wrote.

However, during actual works the plans have been amended with regard to its roof. Instead of modest shade-providing cover it was to get Iran’s very first tensile cable structure. The project was carried out in cooperation between French and German engineers.

The final outcome seems very satisfying though, especially with the new roof becoming a major landmark. Its 18,000 square meter area is nothing special globally, but in Iran it is the largest and most advanced structure of its kind, a benchmark for future projects. It is also a reason for pride as the steel compression ring crown rises high above the stadium and is individually illuminated, just as is the membrane itself.

Construction works were carried out at an extremely low pace if counted as a continuous project, though various phases have been delivered independently from one another. The stands themselves were ready back in 2015, while seating, roof, field and running track were completed later.

Finally the construction finished last January and was officially inaugurated last March.

Altogether the stadium offers over 27,000 covered seats, conference facilities for 570 people within the main stands, 10 indoor training halls beneath it and numerous sports amenities around. There is also a large multi-level parking for 1,200 cars.

The stadium is home to Padideh F.C. which currently is at the tenth place of the Persian Gulf Pro League of Iran.

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