As part of the deal, Amsterdam Arena, the owner and operator of the Dutch city's multifunctional football stadium - home to top tier club Ajax and recently hosted the UEFA Europa League Final between Chelsea and Benfica and New York-based IMG will work with Qatar 2022 to develop business cases for all the competition venues of the world football showpiece.

"We are looking forward to working together closely with these two extremely professional partners, who between them have invaluable experience in stadium operation in some of the most significant sporting sites across the globe," Qatar 2020 secretary general Hassan Al Thawadi said.

"The appointment of Amsterdam Arena and IMG is crucial in delivering an outstanding 2022 FIFA World Cup.

"We are thereby placing a key focus on an amazing fan and player experience in all our stadiums."

The firms will perform technical reviews and assess the operational aspects of the stadiums, including, catering and commercial strategies; venue operations; safety and security; pitch and building maintenance; access zones; precinct functionality and operations; technology integration; and tournament functionality and sustainability.


"I am impressed by the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee's ambitious and professional approach to the organisation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and I feel a shared commitment to make the World Cup in Qatar an amazing event with a great legacy to Qatar and the world," Amsterdam Arena chief executive Henk Markerink said.

"By involving us in this early stage and letting us develop the Programme Wide Strategies on various subjects we can optimally contribute to the organisation of the World Cup."

His words were echoed by IMG Stadium Group vice-president Iain Barnett, who added: "IMG is honoured to have been selected to support the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee on its ambition for an amazing World Cup.

"We are delighted that the perspective of stadium operators has been integrated at such an early stage of the development process which is vital not only for successful delivery of the tournament but also a sustainable legacy."

As part of Qatar 2022's bid to host the World Cup it pledged to build nine new stadiums and refurbish three others, all in the space of 10 years.

However, it is now expected to reduce the number of venues for the tournament to eight or nine.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2013: Alan Hubbard - Qatar means business – sports business
March 2013: Blatter insists FIFA stand by decision to award Qatar 2022 World Cup
March 2013: It can't be a summer World Cup in Qatar, insists Premier League chairman
March 2013: Qatar 2022 could be moved to the winter over heat fears, FIFA admit
December 2012: Exclusive - "We have to keep our eyes on the ball, the minute we don't, people will say we can't deliver", says Qatar 2022 chief