Saudi Arabia's bid for the 2034 World Cup includes impressive stadiums, some of which will be redeveloped and most built from scratch. One such venue will be King Salman Stadium, the future largest stadium in the country, which will be designed by Populous.

Winning bid

Populous, a renowned international architecture firm, has been selected to design a 92,000-seat stadium in Riyadh that will become a key venue during the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia. King Salman Stadium, located near King Abdulaziz Park and King Khalid International Airport, is expected to reflect the landscape of the region, referencing the mountainous terrain and green spaces. The facility will cover an area of 96,500 m². In addition to its impressive size, the stadium will feature modern features such as a sustainable cooling system, indoor gardens and a rooftop walkway overlooking the surrounding park.

The stadium's design also includes luxury facilities, including a 150-metre king's lodge, 120 hospitality flats and 2,200 VIP spaces. Plans also include the development of sports infrastructure around the stadium, including two new training pitches, spectator areas, an indoor gym, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and an athletics track.

Saudi Arabia, in pursuit of its ambitious Vision 2030 plan, is busily preparing to host the World Cup by investing in modern sports facilities. King Salman Stadium, due to be completed in 2029, will become the home of the Saudi national football team after the World Cup.

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Populous, known for its previous sports developments around the world, including stadiums for previous editions of the World Cup, also has other projects planned in Saudi Arabia. Examples of such venues include a stadium in Dammam, which will host the 2027 Asian Cup, and New Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium in Qiddiya.

Stadiums in Saudi Arabia's bid

On July 31, 2024 in Paris, FIFA unveiled details of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup. The bid's official slogan, Growing Together, has the full support of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

A key element of the bid is the stadiums - as many as 15 of which are expected to be used during the tournament. Most of the venues will be redesigned or extensively upgraded to meet the highest global standards. Riyadh, the country's capital, is where the biggest events are planned, including the opening matches and the final. In Jeddah, known for its beautiful beaches and modern buildings, a stadium with unique architecture will be built to become a symbol of the new Arabia. You can find all the stadiums presented by Saudi Arabia in a separate article.

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