February 26 – Saudi Arabian bank Alinma has secured the naming rights to one of the key stadiums set to host matches at the 2034 FIFA World Cup, marking the first step in Saudi Arabia’s aggressive commercial push ahead of the tournament in nine years’ time.
Through a deal with the Saudi Ministry of Sport, Alinma has acquired naming rights to Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Now rebranded as Alinma Stadium, the agreement runs until 2029 and is part of a broader effort to attract corporate sponsorship for multiple venues across the Kingdom.
No value was given for the naming rights.
The 60,000-seater stadium, opened in 2014, has already hosted major events, including the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, and is set to feature in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
It is one of just four existing stadiums designated for the 2034 World Cup—meaning Saudi Arabia must construct an eye-watering 11 new venues to meet FIFA’s requirements, not dissimilar to Qatar’s preparation for 2022’s tournament.
FIFA’s evaluation report on the Saudi bid assigned its stadium infrastructure a medium risk rating, but given that most of the proposed venues are still on the drawing board, the risk appears significantly higher. The construction timeline – projected to run until early 2032 – leaves little room for delays, cost overruns, or logistical hurdles.
One of the most ambitious (or speculative) elements of the bid is the inclusion of venues in Neom, Saudi Arabia’s yet-to-be-built futuristic mega-city. With Neom still in its infancy and facing questions over feasibility, FIFA’s decision to award the World Cup to a nation with so much unfinished infrastructure has raised more than a few eyebrows.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1740583469labto1740583469ofdlr1740583469owedi1740583469sni@g1740583469niwe.1740583469yrrah1740583469
