Dubai launched a competition to design a 60,000-seater stadium "that will be built in the emirate to stage matches at soccer's 2019 Asian Cup," according REUTERS. The Asian Football Confederation in March "awarded hosting rights for the 24-nation tournament" to the UAE. Matches "are expected to be played in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, Dubai and oasis town Al Ain." Each "will likely use two stadiums, with AFC regulations stating the hosts must employ at least six for the tournament." Sources said that Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority "has the remit from the emirate's government" to build the football stadium. Sources said that some design bids "have already been submitted to the RTA," with a mixture of architects, engineers and consultants collaborating on individual submissions. The stadium "will be built in or near Dubai Sports City, which is already home to a 25,000-capacity cricket stadium that is also expected to host matches" at the '19 tournament. Abu Dhabi "has not revealed its stadium plans" for '19. This uncertainty "is a probable reason for Dubai's secrecy over its new stadium, with protocol dictating Abu Dhabi -- the dominant power in the UAE -- makes public its intentions regarding 2019 before Dubai does" (REUTERS, 8/13).
