Know The 15 Iconic Football Stadiums In Saudi Arabia To Host FIFA (image-twitter/naifsaudi4)
After Qatar, Saudi Arabia is all set to be the next West Asian country to host the FIFA World Cup 2034. The Kingdom has put forward a bold and exciting bid to host the tournament.
The upcoming 2026 World Cup will be hosted in North America and South America and Europe and Africa will host in 2030. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia aims to make history by becoming the first single country to host a 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2034.
“The bid is based primarily on a desire for growth, growth of people, football, and connections around the world. Hosting the FIFA World Cup is an important step in the growth journey of the sports sector in the Kingdom, which has witnessed great developments and success in recent years,” said Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
The 15 advanced stadiums are spread across five host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and NEOM.
Here is the list of 15 stadiums in Saudi Arabia:
King Salman International Stadium (Riyadh)
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This stadium is designed to become the highest-capacity stadium in Saudi Arabia. Once finished with the construction, it will have the capacity to hold 92,000 spectators.
It is currently noted to be the stadium to host the opening game and the Final as well as matches in every round of the competition.
King Fahad Sports City Stadium (Riyadh)
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This stadium which is anticipated to complete its construction by 2026, is notable for its unique fabric roof. The remarkable eye-catching design was inspired by traditional tents often found in Saudi Arabia. The stadium will host all the matches and will culminate with the semi-finals.
Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium (Riyadh)
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The construction of the stadium which is one of the futuristic designs of the tournament will be completed in 2029. It almost creates a cyberpunk aesthetic with its iridescent glass and shimmering metal patterns.
New Murabba Stadium (Riyadh)
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With a seating capacity of 46,000, the stadium will host almost all games throughout the tournament. The unique part of the stadium is that the ground is designed by drawing inspiration from the texture of the bark of the Acacia tree.
The construction of the stadium will be completed in 2032.
Roshn Stadium (Riyadh)
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The Roshn stadium also comes with a futuristic design by featuring a glowing, crystalline exterior making it more appealing than others.
The stadium has a seating capacity of 46,000 fans.
Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Sports City Stadium (Riyadh)
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With the capacity to hold over 46,000 fans, the stadium will be completed by 2027. Showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment towards sustainable tournaments, the construction will feature locally produced materials as well as a variety of green spaces around the outside of the stadium.
South Riyad Stadium (Riyadh)
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Paying tribute to the Wadi Hanifa seasonal river valley, the stadium will be featured in a unique design. It is planned to complete the construction by 2032 and can hold 47,000 fans.
King Saud Stadium (Riyadh)
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The stadium currently which has the capacity to hold 26,100 will be expanded to 46,000 spectators. The expansion work is expected to be completed by 2032.
The ground is now situated next to Y Walk, a King Saud University mixed-use development.
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
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The stadium which is known as the Shining Jewel has already hosted multiple historic events including WWE Premium Live Events, boxing matches – including Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk, ATP tennis tournaments, and most recently the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Final.
The stadium which was opened in 2014 has the capacity to hold 58,432 people.
Qiddiya Coast Stadium (Jeddah)
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The stadium featuring a capacity of over 46,000 will showcase a design inspired from the famous Mexican Wave, with a ripple effect surrounding green spaces.
The stadium will be open from 2032.
Jeddah Central Development Stadium (Jeddah)
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Jeddah Central Development stadium’s design is inspired from Jeddah’s historic Al Balad district which was founded in the seventh century. The district is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
King Abdullah Economic City Stadium (Jeddah)
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The stadium will have the capacity to host over 45,000 fans and will be completed in 2032.
The design of the structure is inspired from the aesthetics of how local coral reefs grow off the coast of Saudi Arabia.
Aramco Stadium (Al Khobar)
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The stadium’s whirlpool-inspired design, reflecting the local Dawwama phenomenon, features overlapping sail shapes and wave motifs, harmonizing with the coastal landscape.
The construction will be completed by 2026.
King Khalid University Stadium (Abha)
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The already-built stadium with remuneration will be up for the games by 2032. The stadium has a seating capacity of 45,000. The mountain stadium will be renovated to feature modern amenities.
NEOM Stadium (NEOM)
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With the stadium pitch situated 350 meters above the ground, it will be one of the world’s distinctive and iconic stadiums.
Hosting over 46,000 spectators, the stadium will run entirely on renewable energy and will hold games from the group stages through to the quarter-finals.
