Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium – design description

How does the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium project look in brief?

The stadium, set to rise on the edge of a 200-meter cliff, is likely to become one of the most extraordinary sports venues in the world. It will be part of the Qiddiya megaproject – a vast entertainment complex located just under 50 km from Riyadh – and its main planned event will be the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Architects took full advantage of the unique topography, opting not to build stands on the cliff side and instead creating a large “window” that offers spectators spectacular views of the valley and the new amusement park.

The exterior will be distinguished by LED-covered cubes and tall, rectangular portals, combining to create an unconventional, futuristic appearance.

The stadium will be packed with advanced and costly technologies, including a retractable roof, a movable pitch, a cooling system, and cutting-edge holographic equipment. Its particular focus on hosting gaming events will make it a “mecca” not only for football fans but also for e-sports enthusiasts.

The stadium will bear the name of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the country’s de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman. Construction began in 2024, with opening planned for 2029.

How were the plans for the new stadium in Qiddiya developed?

What is Qiddiya?

In 2017, the Qiddiya project was announced as one of the major initiatives planned under Saudi Vision 2030. In 2018, the Qiddiya Investment Company was established under the Public Investment Fund, tasked with overseeing the investment. In 2019, the implementation of the project officially began.

The Qiddiya megaproject is a vast entertainment complex set to be built less than 50 km west of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The complex will be located in the Tuwaiq Mountains, in a valley surrounded on three sides by high cliffs. It will include amusement parks, hotels, shopping centers, and even a Formula 1 racetrack.

When were the plans for the Qiddiya stadium created?

As part of Qiddiya, a sports hub was also planned to rise above the valley on the edge of a 200-meter cliff. The complex was to include, among other facilities, a sports arena and a water sports center. The main centerpiece of the hub was to be a football stadium. The first concept for the stadium was developed in 2019 by the renowned architectural firm Populous.

What did the initial plans for the new stadium in Qiddiya include?

The stadium was planned to be located on the edge of a steep cliff, with no stands on the western side, allowing a significant portion of spectators to enjoy unobstructed views of the valley. It was designed to feature an oval roof with a mirrored underside. A cooling system for the entire structure was also planned.

Why were the plans for the new Qiddiya stadium modified?

Originally, the stadium project was part of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Its capacity was expected to be around 22,000 spectators, although some reports suggested it could hold up to 40,000 people, which would have allowed it to host World Cup matches – initially as part of a joint 2030 bid with Egypt and Greece, and, after that initiative failed, independently in 2034.

In early 2023, Saudi Arabia was awarded the right to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, with the new Qiddiya stadium confirmed as one of the tournament venues. In October 2023, it was also announced that Saudi Arabia would host the highly anticipated 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The decision to award the World Cup provided a strong impetus to push forward the Qiddiya stadium project and implement far-reaching changes to its design. At the end of 2023, a tender process was launched to select the main contractor, and in January 2024, new, significantly revised plans for the arena were presented, once again prepared by Populous.

What changes did the new stadium design bring?

While one of the stadium’s most distinctive features will still be the large “window” offering views of the valley, in other aspects the new design radically transformed its character. The arena will take an extremely futuristic form, packed with advanced technologies and avant-garde solutions, with a particular focus on hosting e-sports events.

Alongside the presentation of the new design, the stadium’s new name was also revealed: it will be called the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, after the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. Previously, the project had been referred to as Qiddiya Stadium.

The ambitious project’s timeline has been significantly extended (completion is now scheduled for 2029), meaning the stadium will not be ready for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, and its primary purpose remains the hosting of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

What will the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium be like?

The stadium will be built right on the edge of a cliff. The architects took full advantage of this unique location, opting not to build stands on the western side so that spectators can enjoy panoramic views of the valley and Qiddiya City. On the remaining sides, three-tiered stands will be constructed, with a total capacity of at least 45,000 spectators.

The exterior will be distinguished by LED-covered cubes and tall, rectangular portals, combining to create an unconventional, futuristic appearance. The stadium will be equipped with advanced and costly technologies, including a retractable roof, a movable pitch, and sophisticated holographic and telecommunications systems.

The enormous “window” on the western side can also be closed, forming a large LED wall that can be used to display films, live broadcasts, or for e-sports competitions.

The stadium will feature an eco-friendly cooling system, which will include an underground water reservoir and subterranean air tunnels.

Its exceptional location, avant-garde design, multifunctionality, and advanced technologies will make the stadium a unique work of engineering and architecture, setting new standards for sports venues worldwide.

How will the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium be used?

The stadium’s wide range of functions and technologies will make it a multifunctional arena, where, in addition to football matches, a variety of other events and cultural activities can be held. Conversion between different operational modes is expected to take only a few hours, allowing separate events with different profiles to take place on the same day.

One of the project’s main concepts is the possibility of hosting e-sports competitions. In December 2023, the Gaming & Esports District project was announced as part of Qiddiya City, which includes the construction of a dedicated building for electronic sports.

The complementary stadium, equipped with advanced technologies, will further enhance this offering and make Qiddiya a true “mecca” for gamers and e-sports fans, while also enabling the organization of the largest gaming events.

However, the stadium’s primary function will be hosting football matches. It will be one of the venues for the prestigious 2034 FIFA World Cup, during which it is planned to host, among others, the third-place match. In early 2022, a partnership was also announced with two prominent Riyadh-based clubs, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, which will play their matches at Qiddiya once the stadium is operational.

When will the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium be completed?

The tender process to select the main contractor began at the end of 2023. In October 2024, it was announced that the winning consortium consisted of the Spanish company FCC Construcción and the Saudi firm Nesma & Partners, with the contract valued at 4 billion riyals.

Construction work on the stadium began at the end of 2024, with completion scheduled for 2029.

Progress updates on the construction of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium can be viewed on a dedicated subpage