Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium – design description

What does Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium redevelopment plan involve?

The design involves a comprehensive redevelopment of Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium. The athletics track will disappear from the facility and the capacity of the stands will be doubled. The auditorium will be covered and the stadium will receive a striking façade from the outside.

Some of the existing structure of the building is to be retained. When the pitch is lowered, an additional lower tier of stands will be created. The stands behind the goals will be built entirely from scratch. The main stand with VIP boxes and changing rooms for the players will be located on the west side.

An important function of the roof will not be to protect against precipitation, but rather against excessive heat. The west stand will be equipped with air conditioning.

Until the opening of King Fahd International Stadium, Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium was the largest stadium in Riyadh. The facility still plays an important role today, with two top division clubs, Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab, playing their matches there. The upgrade will give the stadium a completely new face and make it one of the largest and most modern in the country.

Why is Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium to be redeveloped?

The project was developed in connection with Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2027 Asian Cup, with renderings prepared by Populous, a renowned studio specialising in stadium design.

After the last contender (India) withdrew in December 2022, Saudi Arabia remained the only willing country to host the 2027 Asian Cup. On February 1, 2023, the country was officially announced as the host of the tournament. Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium is expected to be one of eight arenas to host the event. According to initial reports, the redevelopment would be completed as early as 2025.