when it was announced by fifa that the 2022 world cup would be held in qatar, one of the concerns that many expressed was how to host soccer matches in the middle east in the middle of summer with both player and spectator safety being considered.

the university of sheffield is working on system to cool stadiums at qatar 2022.
(wikimedia commons)

although the world cup is still five years away, and it is being played in november and december rather than the customary june and july, a unique system co-designed by engineers at the university of sheffield (u.k.) is being implemented to help keep players and fans cool at the newly renovated khalifa international stadium in doha, according to a report on energy2050.ac.uk.

while temperatures will be lower in the winter months, the average is still between 25-29°c and the team from the university of sheffield’s energy 2050 institute, collaborating with engineers at qatar university, have devised a system that cools the outside air and pushes it down to the pitch, the stands, and through the concourses.

the article explained, “this district cooling technology is more sustainable and environmentally-friendly than air conditioning systems and uses recovered heat in a mixed mode to deliver a stable, comfortable indoor environment.”

the system is expected to cool the 40,000-seat stadium in the country’s capital while also being carbon neutral.