The Azadi Stadium (Persian: ورزشگاه آزادی) formerly Aryamehr Stadium (Persian: ورزشگاه آریامهر) is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium was built to host the 1974 Asian Games and had a capacity of 100,000 people; today, after the renovations in 2003, the stadium has a seating capacity of 90.000 people. The stadium is part of the much larger Azadi Sports Complex, and is surrounded by a rowing river, football training pitches, a weightlifting complex, swimming facilities and indoor volleyball and futsal courts, among many other amenities. Azadi Stadium is the fifth biggest association football stadium in the world, fourth in Asia and first in West Asia.
Azadi Stadium hosts most of Iran's national games, and is the home arena for Persepolis F.C. and Esteghlal F.C. in the Iran Pro League.
The stadium is located in the West of Tehran, and is easily accessible for most people living in the city. Opposing teams often find it difficult to play their best game, when the stadium is full, as the noise level becomes very high. According to Goal.com, Azadi Stadium was voted most intimidating in Asia.
The stadium hosted two West Asian Football Federation Championship in 2004 and 2008. The stadium also hosted the Asian Club Championship in 1999 and 2002 where the hosts Esteghlal and Persepolis finished second and third. In 2008 AFC forced Sepahan to play the home matches in AFC Champions League in this stadium. The stadium also is the regular host for Iran U-23 for the Olympics football qualifying.
Azadi Stadium is the biggest stadium in West Asia.
Azadi Stadium is set to have another round of renovations in 2013.
Read more about Azadi Stadium: History, Building and Facilities, Gallery
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“The final upshot of thinking is the exercise of volition, and of this thought no longer forms a part; but belief is only a stadium of mental action, an effect upon our nature due to thought, which will influence future thinking.”
—Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914)