January 16 – Saudi Arabia has unveiled ambitious designs for a cutting-edge stadium perched atop a 200-meter-high cliff near Riyadh, strategically positioned to serve as a venue for matches during the 2034 World Cup.
The stadium is positioned as a pivotal element within the Qiddiya City project, a comprehensive initiative aimed at establishing an entertainment, gaming, and sports hub 45km (30 miles) from downtown Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Located on the top of the Tuwaiq mountains, the multi-use stadium will have a combined retractable roof, pitch and LED wall – an architectural innovation allowing the space to transform into different ‘event modes’ in a matter of minutes.
Once open, the 45-000 seat multi-functional stadium will serve as the home ground of Saudi Pro League football clubs Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal and is one of the proposed venues for the Kingdom’s 2034 FIFA World Cup bid. It is also poised to host some of the region’s biggest sports events including the Saudi King Cup, the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2034 Asian Games.
Thanks to its climate-control technology, events will be able to take place year-round and energy consumption will be reduced through an eco-friendly cooling lake built directly under the stadium.
The stadium’s striking design is a far throw from the standard appearance of modern stadia, and certainly promises to be something entirely different altogether.
Commenting on the launch, Abdullah 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”.
“It will become a bucket-list destination for fans and enthusiasts across the world, hosting major events from across the world of sport and entertainment.”
No figure was given for the build costs.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734896934labto1734896934ofdlr1734896934owedi1734896934sni@g1734896934niwe.1734896934yrrah1734896934
