King Fahd Sports City – construction description

The project to modernize King Fahd Sports City, so far the largest and most important stadium in the country, primarily involves removing the athletics track and bringing the stands closer to the pitch, giving the facility a football-specific character.

The reconstruction of the stands will be very significant – only the upper floor of the eastern stand will be retained from the existing structure.

The roof membrane will also be removed, but it will later be reinstated in the same distinctive form and complemented by a panoramic video screen suspended from its inner edge.

The plans to rebuild the stadium were conceived when Saudi Arabia bid to host the 2027 Asian Cup, but they took on additional significance in October 2023 when the country secured the right to host the 2034 World Cup.

Construction works began at the end of 2024 and are expected to be completed in 2026, ahead of the AFC Asian Cup scheduled for early 2027.

More details about the King Fahd Sports City redevelopment project can be found on a separate subpage