Stade de Marrakech

Stade de Marrakech, The Marrakesh Stadium, Grand Stade de Marrakech (in French), Berber: Annar n Merrakec) is a multi-use stadium in Marrakech, Morocco. It was designed by Gregotti Associati International.

Completed in January 2012, it is used mostly for football matches with the capability of hosting Olympic Games. It is home to Kawkab Marrakech football team. The stadium has a capacity of 45,240 people. It replaces Stade El Harti as the home of Kawkab Marrakech and as the main stadium of the city.

It will host the 2014 IAAF Continental Cup. The stadium also hosted four games including the final in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup. The stadium also hosted the 2014 African Championships in Athletics.

Construction
Launched on September, 2003, the construction of the stadium lasted 7 years and 3 months. Inauguration took place on January 5, 2011 with friendlies involving two Moroccan teams ; Kawkab Marrakech and Wydad Casablanca facing two French teams ; Olympique Lyonnais and Paris Saint Germain.

Criticism
After more than seven years in construction, the Marrakchis people and the contributors unveiled the first stadium in the world to be both rectangular and host a running track. The criticism from that branched from these constructive decisions is that the distance from the running track to the bleachers is much too far. Considered a fault to the builders, the space contrast is attributed to a lack of potential spectators in the stadium, who avoid the stadium due to poor vision.

Means of access
The stadium is located seven miles north of Marrakech. It is served by the international airport Marrakech - Menara at fourteen kilometers, and the railway station of the city. Access to the stadium is provided by sixteen doors and a grand entrance.