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Sammy Ofer Stadium is Haifa's new football stadium on the southern outskirts of the city. It is named after the late businessman Sammy Ofer who donated funds for its construction. The stadium was built under the entrepreneurship and management of Haifa Economic Corporation (HEC) for the city of Haifa. Architectural design was carried out by the British firm KSS who specializes in the design of football stadiums, in cooperation with the Israeli architecture firm Mansfeld-Kahat.
Location: the stadium is located on the southern slopes of Haifa, near the Matam High-tech & Business Park. The stadium is situated opposite the Life Sciences Park. The optimal location of the complex allows easy access for those coming from the north as well as the center of the country. The stadium is in near proximity to the coast highway (Route 2) and the old Haifa-Tel Aviv road (Route 4), the Carmel Beach train station, the Carmel Beach central bus station, the Metronit rapid bus lines, and the entry/exit of the Carmel tunnels.
The stadium boasts over 30,000 seats, and it is the only indoor football stadium (fully roofed) in Israel. It is designed to host international matches in accordance with UEFA (Class 4 - the highest) and FIFA requirements. The stadium will also host cultural and entertainment events such as performing artists, orchestras, operas, and various mass events, with an emphasis on viewer experience the like of which has not yet been seen in Israel.
Stadium complex: on the western front of the stadium there are commercial, recreational and entertainment areas totaling approx. 20,000 square meters, as well as a wide plaza that can hosts mass event with street performances etc. The "World Peace Statue" was recently inaugurated on the northwest edge of the square. The statue was designed and donated to the city Haifa by the world-renowned Chinese artist Yuan Yao.
The stadium structure: The stadium has two stands as common in such stadiums in the world; the West Stand is designed for the various levels of clubs fans (Silver, Gold, Diamond) and executive boxes. The NES stands, i.e., the North-East-South stands are for the various fans groups (general, families, away supporters, etc.). All stands are roofed down to the field line, providing audiences and players with the unique "bowl" atmosphere found in leading stadiums around the world. The seats are designed to be as close as possible to the pitch, and high quality acoustics was carefully designed for public announcements and entertainment. There are two large, high quality scoreboards (72 square meters each), advanced communications infrastructure, and 18 kiosks and catering halls in the prestigious clubs (gold, diamond and executive boxes). The first seats row is located 35 cm above the pitch level, allowing uninterrupted viewing angel. On the Western Stand, the replacement players' benches are on the pitch in a groove in the stand, so they do not interfere with the viewers' view.
Accessibility for disabled people The Sammy Ofer Stadium is accessible to anyone who is looking for a viewing experience or participation in its events. This includes comfortable road access, parking, friendly elevators and sidewalks, and adjusted seats, kiosk, lavatory and any other facility around the stadium that contributes to its unique experience.
Access arrangements include the following:
• Access to the stadium entrances from the sidewalk and parking places, including being able to move on leveled plains and elevator.
• Accessible parking spaces.
• Stairs with grip.
• Accessible elevators that include grips and tactile buttons identifiable by color with Braille script.
• Audio indication for the arrival of the elevator with floor indication.
• Tactile numbers of floor installed on the doorposts.
• Arrangements for people with vision impairment include: lead marks from pavements to the building entrance, warning signs on the stairs, warning signs on transparent doors and entrance fronts with appropriate signage.
• Personal assistance for the blind in reaching their seats.
• Box offices with accessible counters, including hearing assistance system.
• Seats for spectators who used wheelchairs.
• Accessible toilets.
• Accessible cafeteria counters.
Stadium owners: Haifa Municipality.
Stadium management: - The Haifa's Sports and Entertainment Complex Ltd.
CEO - Ilan Fuchs
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