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| Mohammed V Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mohammed V Stadium |
| Location | Casablanca, Morocco |
| Broke ground | 1954 |
| Opened | 1955 |
| Renovated | 1983, 2000s, 2016–2019 |
| Owner | City of Casablanca |
| Operator | Raja Club Athletic, Wydad Athletic Club (tenants) |
| Surface | Natural grass |
| Capacity | 45,891 (post-2019) |
| Dimensions | 105 × 68 m |
| Tenants | Raja CA, Wydad AC, Moroccan national football team (occasional) |
Mohammed V Stadium is a major multi-purpose stadium located in Casablanca, Morocco. Named after Mohammed V of Morocco, the venue has hosted domestic football derbies, continental competitions, and national team fixtures, becoming a landmark in Moroccan sports infrastructure. It is closely associated with local clubs Raja Club Athletic and Wydad Athletic Club, and has been a focal point for regional cultural, political, and sporting events.
Construction began during the late period of the French Protectorate in Morocco and the stadium opened in 1955, shortly before Moroccan independence linked to Mohammed V of Morocco. The ground quickly became the principal arena for Casablanca’s major clubs, notably Wydad AC (founded 1937) and Raja CA (founded 1949), hosting fixtures in the Botola and continental competitions organized by the Confederation of African Football. Over decades the stadium staged pivotal matches in tournaments such as the African Cup of Nations qualifiers and CAF Champions League finals, reflecting Morocco’s growing role in African football and international sport. It has also been used for national ceremonies involving figures from the Moroccan monarchy and visits by international leaders, linking the site to diplomatic occasions such as visits by delegations from France and other African Union members.
The stadium was originally designed with an open bowl configuration influenced by mid-20th-century stadiums in Europe and North Africa. Its layout features two main stands and curved terraces framed by concrete cantilevered roofs similar to structures seen in stadiums in Algiers and Lisbon. Facilities include team dressing rooms, medical suites, media centers accredited by organizations like the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) during international events, and hospitality areas used by clubs during CAF Confederation Cup fixtures. The playing surface conforms to dimensions overseen by FIFA and has been maintained to standards required for international matches, with drainage and irrigation systems upgraded during multiple renovation campaigns led by municipal and national bodies such as the City of Casablanca and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
Originally reported capacities exceeded 67,000 spectators, making it one of the largest venues in Morocco and Maghreb. Following safety-driven renovations and the installation of seating to comply with FIFA and CAF regulations, official capacity was reduced; post-2019 figures list around 45,891 seats. High-profile matches, including El Clásico (Raja–Wydad) derbies and CAF Champions League finals, have produced peak attendances and intense atmospheres often documented by international outlets such as BBC Sport and Al Jazeera. Ticketing and crowd management strategies have evolved in line with practices from venues used in events like the FIFA Club World Cup and regional multi-sport games.
The stadium regularly hosts matches for Wydad AC and Raja CA in the Botola Pro, as well as continental fixtures in competitions run by the Confederation of African Football. It has accommodated fixtures for the Morocco national football team during qualification campaigns for the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. The venue has also staged athletics and multi-sport events tied to national championships and university competitions affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Morocco). International club tournaments featuring teams from Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Portugal have used the stadium for marquee games, linking Casablanca to wider football circuits like the UEFA-aligned preseason friendlies.
Beyond sport, the stadium has been used for large-scale cultural events, concerts by international and regional artists, and political rallies connected to important moments in Moroccan public life, including visits by heads of state from France and other African Union delegates. It has hosted festivals featuring performers from the Maghreb and Middle East, and served as a venue for ceremonies related to national celebrations presided over by members of the Moroccan royal family.
Located in central Casablanca near the Oued Bouskoura area and major thoroughfares, access to the stadium is facilitated by city buses operated under the Casa Transport network, taxis, and proximity to tram lines developed as part of Casablanca’s urban transit projects commissioned by the City of Casablanca. Parking and pedestrian routes are organized around adjacent districts, with metro and rail connections via nearby stations serving regional travelers from cities like Rabat and Mohammedia during high-attendance fixtures.
Major renovation phases occurred in the early 1980s, the 2000s, and a significant overhaul between 2016 and 2019 tied to Morocco’s bids and preparations for hosting larger international fixtures. Upgrades included installation of individual seating, reinforced roofs, modern floodlighting meeting FIFA lux standards, expanded VIP and media facilities used by agencies like Reuters and Agence France-Presse, and pitch replacement to improve turf resilience. These works were overseen by contractors experienced in stadium projects across Europe and North Africa, and coordinated with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to ensure compliance with CAF competition criteria.
Category:Sports venues in Morocco Category:Buildings and structures in Casablanca Category:Football venues in Morocco