Emirates Airline, the Principal Partner of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, is building a new purpose-built sports facility to host the world’s biggest Sevens event.

The facility, located on the outskirts of Dubai, is due to be completed by November in time to host the world-famous Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens and then the Rugby World Cup Sevens from 5-7 March 2009.

The new complex will feature a permanent grandstand with 4,000 seats and temporary stands will be erected around this permanent structure to cater for a crowd of up to 40,000.  

Hospitality areas, broadcast and medical facilities and changing rooms also feature in the design as well as a 30-metre wide rugby promenade featuring cafes and food outlets.

The second pitch will be in a bowl and enclosed on three sides by a grass embankment enabling a crowd of 15,000 to enjoy rugby here or possibly even concerts, while a nearby sports complex and clubhouse will include provision for tennis, squash, basketball and badminton as well as a gymnasium and swimming pool.

The remaining four rugby pitches will be located close to a two-storey 80-metre long clubhouse that will feature the offices of the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union – the governing body of rugby in the region - and will become a home to Dubai-based clubs.