Design for Saudi Arabia’s World Cup stadium in Qiddiya City revealed
22 January 2024
Digital render of the planned new Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium in Saudi Arabia (Image: Populous)
Architecture firm Populous has unveiled designs for an ambitious new stadium in Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City that is one of the proposed venues for the Kingdom’s 2034 World Cup bid.
The Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium will sit on top of the 200m-high Tuwaiq cliff, 40 minutes from Riyadh.
The 45,000-seater stadium design features a retractable roof, pitch and LED wall that will allow the stadium to convert into different ‘event modes’ within hours.
The LED wall will be capable of broadcasting live events, high-definition films and laser shows. When not activated, it will open onto views of Qiddiya City.
Digital render of the planned new Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium in Saudi Arabia (Image: Populous)
Populous said that the stadium, which will be come to the Saudi Pro League soccer clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, will be able to offer multiple spectacles in one day, including football (soccer), boxing, esports, concerts and theatre productions.
The new stadium will also offer access to Qiddiya City’s Gaming & Esport District, as well as other city entertainment options.
And it will feature park-and-ride and drop-off zones, as well as sitting close to 50,000 square meters of shopping, dining and entertainment spaces, and hotels.
Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, managing director of Qiddiya Investment Company said, “Our ambition is for Qiddiya City to become a global destination for entertainment, sports and culture and this iconic new stadium will be at its very heart.
“The futuristic venue aims to reinvent the traditional stadium concept and embody the true spirit of Qiddiya’s Power of Play philosophy. It uses state-of-the-art technology and innovative, world-leading design to put the spectator at the centre of the experience”.
Chris Lee, managing director of Populous, EMEA, added, “The Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium represents a quantum leap in stadium design and a new generation of digitally-enabled innovation. The level of embedded technology will enable both incredible gaming and entertainment experiences and a new way for fans to watch and enjoy football itself.”
Digital render of the planned new Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium in Saudi Arabia (Image: Populous)
