Aramco Stadium – design description

How did the project to build Aramco Stadium come about?

The design of a new, representative stadium for the Dammam metropolitan area in eastern Saudi Arabia came about in connection with the country's application to host the 2027 Asian Cup, as well as its plans to host the World Cup.

What was the Aramco Stadium project originally called?

The project was initially named Dammam Stadium. The facility was actually to be built in the neighboring city of Khobar, rather than in Dammam itself, although the designated plot of land is located at the administrative border of the two cities, which are part of the same metropolitan area.

When was the concept for the new stadium in Dammam presented?

On February 1, 2023, Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of the 2027 Asian Cup, at which time the stadiums scheduled to host the tournament were also presented, including the design for the new Dammam Stadium.

Will the new stadium in Dammam host the World Cup matches?

At the same time Saudi Arabia wanted, together with Egypt and Greece, to create a bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Nothing came of these plans in the end, but the country focused on competing, this time on its own, to host the next World Cup, in 2034.

The process of selecting the host of the 2034 World Cup officially began on October 4, 2023, and already on October 31, 2023, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the tournament would be held in Saudi Arabia. The planned Dammam Stadium has also been designated as one of the venues for this tournament.

When was the updated information on the Aramco Stadium project presented?

Saudi Arabia's official offer (bid book) to host the 2034 World Cup was published on July 31, 2024, with information on the stadiums to host the tournament, including new information and renderings of the new venue in Dammam.

Among other things, it was possible to learn from the bid that the project has been renamed Aramco Stadium. Aramco is a state-owned oil and chemical conglomerate, the world's largest in terms of daily production, and the second largest company in the world in terms of revenue. Aramco's headquarters are located only about 10 kilometers southwest of the site where the new stadium is to be built.

Who will play their matches at Aramco Stadium?

On July 31, 2024, Aramco itself also issued a statement, saying that it is working together with state developer Roshn to build a new stadium. Aramco since 2023 has owned Al Qadsiah FC, a football club that was promoted to the Saudi Pro League in 2024.

Al Qadsiah FC plays at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium, which is 2.5 kilometers from where the new facility is to be built. Once the new stadium opens, Al Qadsiah FC is expected to become its host.

When will Aramco Stadium be built?

The first work to prepare the site for the project started already in the second half of 2023. Companies interested in building the stadium submitted their bids in late 2023. In February 2024, the main contractor was selected, which became a consortium of two companies, Belgian BESIX and local Al Bawani. The contract is worth 3.7 billion Saudi rials.

After the contract was signed, the actual construction work began. Construction should be completed in the first half of 2026, making the facility ready for the 2027 Asian Cup and set up well before the 2034 World Cup.

What will Aramco Stadium look like?

Wanting to give the stadium an original character, related to the place where it will be built, whirlpools, which occur naturally in the waters of the Persian Gulf near Dammam, were taken as the main theme. The building will therefore receive a dynamic, spiral form, intended to bring to mind a water whirlpool from a bird's eye view.

The composition imitating swirling water will be given to the venue by repeated, overlapping segments forming the roof and facade. The gaps between the segments will find their use as ventilation ducts through which air will enter the interior. Special nets will be stretched there, capturing moisture from the air and inhibiting the entry of dust. From the outside, the facility will be surrounded by an elevated walkway.

The stadium will receive a football-specific profile. The stands will be able to accommodate about 46,000 spectators and will be divided into two tiers, which will be additionally separated by strips of boxes along the pitch. The upper edge of the stands will take on a wavy contour, and video screens will be built in the corners.

Where will Aramco Stadium be built?

The new stadium will be built a dozen kilometers southeast of the center of Dammam, in the Dammam Sports City area, where the 2021–2023 redeveloped Ettifaq FC stadium is located, as well as the Al Nahda Club facility. Administratively, the area is located on the northern outskirts of Khobar city, which is part of the Dammam metropolitan area.

The plot of land on which the new stadium will be built has so far been largely undeveloped. The facility will occupy its northern part, although initial information suggested that the stadium would be built slightly further south (about 1 km), closer to the facilities of Ettifaq FC and Al Nahda Club.