The Saudi sports city is making a comeback. The Qiddiya project was first introduced in 2018 and was meant to reflect the ambitions of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, but these plans were hampered by delays. However, with Saudi Arabia being selected as host s of the 2034 World Cup, the supercity plan has returned in an enhanced edition.

A supercity overlooking the valley

The new vision for Qiddiya has been announced without an exact valuation or a specific opening date, but it is described as the "cornerstone of Vision 2030," aiming to diversify the economy from oil exports by the end of the decade. According to the supercity plan, it will provide space for 600,000 people, covering an area roughly twice the size of Washington, D.C. It will feature diverse recreational and entertainment spaces, including 43 sports facilities and a racetrack, 12 theme parks (including Six Flags), 15 hospitals, and residential buildings. The supercity will also include a football stadium for the 2034 World Cup, a gaming and e-sports district, and the world's largest Olympic museum.

The 22,163-seat stadium will be three-tiered, without stands on the western side, allowing spectators to admire the valley panorama. Originally planned for completion in 2023, the stadium's construction is now expected to finish no earlier than 2026 due to delays. The construction of this stadium is estimated to cost around $315 million. Qiddiya Stadium is set to host group stage matches and the round of 16 in the 2034 World Cup. Qiddiya anticipates 48 million annual visitors, with 1.8 million coming exclusively to watch football matches.

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Will they make it to the World Cup?

Only in early December did Saudi officials admit that some flagship projects of "Vision 2030" are delayed, with the implementation of some pushed to 2033 or even 2035. As of now, the most advanced construction projects are the main water park (61%) and the Six Flags amusement park (59%), which will feature the world's fastest and tallest roller coaster: Falcon's Flight.

Bloomberg reported that the Saudi government, which forecasts budget deficits every year until 2026, decided to delay projects "to build capacity and avoid massive inflationary pressure and supply bottlenecks," said Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan. However, he did not specify which projects are affected.

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Money matters at forefront

Qiddiya Investment Company, chaired by Mohammed Bin Salman, has signed contracts worth $2.7 billion so far. As for financing, the project is secured through the state's sovereign wealth fund, known as the Public Investment Fund, which has assets valued at around $700 billion. The plan envisions that upon completion, Qiddiya will create over 325,000 jobs and boost the GDP by $36 billion each year.

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