The Grand Stadium of Marrakech is getting a major technology upgrade ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Lamalif Group has won a 1.265bn dirham ($135m) contract to upgrade the stadium’s electrical, digital and security systems. The contract is the fourth lot of the wider renovation project. The tender was launched on 17 July and bids were opened on 2 September. The work is expected to take 18 months.
The project covers high- and low-voltage electrical systems, specialist lighting, transformers, power supply equipment and generators.
It also includes a new digital network for the stadium. The work will provide data and telephone cabling, computer and wireless networks, and telephony equipment.
Security systems will also be upgraded. The contract covers access-control systems and a video surveillance network to monitor entrances, internal areas and crowd movement during matches and other large events.
The stadium will get new LED screens and lighting strips, sound systems, safety equipment, broadcasting infrastructure, projection and display systems.
The conference room will also receive new technical equipment for media and match-related activities.
A centralised technical management system, known as GTC, will connect several technical systems. It will allow operators to monitor equipment, track its performance and respond to faults from a central point.
The work is part of a wider renovation of the Marrakech stadium, which opened in January 2011.
The renovation also includes work on the stands, a complete roof and an expansion of seating capacity. The stadium is expected to increase its capacity from about 41,000 to 46,000 seats.
The National Company for the Construction and Management of Sports Facilities (SONARGES) is overseeing the stadium upgrade programme.
Marrakech is one of six Moroccan stadiums selected to host matches during the 2030 World Cup. Spain and Portugal will co-host the tournament with Morocco.
Other major stadium projects are also under way in Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Agadir and Fes. The projects form part of a wider programme to prepare sports venues for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.
Lamalif has also worked on the reconstruction of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The Rabat project included thousands of pixel-LED units built into the stadium facade. The system can turn the facade into a large digital display for lighting shows and match events.
Lamalif also installed permanent architectural laser systems and a centralised DMX lighting-control system. The system can control lighting animations during half-time, ceremonies and other major moments.
The stadium also received high-efficiency sports lighting designed to provide uniform illumination for television production and meet international sports requirements.
The Marrakech contract follows several other major awards linked to the stadium renovation.
TGCC received a contract worth about 903m dirhams in June for structural and finishing works. The work includes waterproofing, flooring, ceilings, joinery and painting.
A separate contract worth 212m dirhams covers plumbing, fire protection, air conditioning, ventilation and smoke extraction.
Together, these major contracts are worth about 2.38bn dirhams.
