A new 30,000-seat stadium currently under construction in Haifa, Israel, which will become the home of Hapoel Haifa and Maccabi Haifa football clubs, is to open in spring 2013.

Built at a reported cost of ILS530m (£90.7m, EUR105.1m, US$145m), work started on the Sammy Ofer Stadium in late 2009 and will replace the existing Kiryat Eliezer Stadium.

A substantial contribution from businessman and shipping tycoon Sammy Ofer has helped fund the project, which is being led by the Haifa Economic Corporation.

The corporation has partnered with the Municipality of Haifa to deliver the stadium, which has been designed by KSS Group and will form part of a new Sports City for Haifa.

A spokesperson for KSS Group said: "The stadium will act as a striking landmark building for the city of Haifa."

Image: KSS Design Group