Riyadh, the Saudi capital, is set to house another new world-class stadium as the kingdom bets on becoming a global sporting hub.
The 45,000-seat stadium in south-west Riyadh will be developed by Roshn Group, a giga-project developer backed by the Public Investment Fund, the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund.
The stadium will be part of a mixed-use project that includes retail units, restaurants, and hospitality venues.
Financial and construction details were not disclosed.
The news comes after Saudi Arabia officially submitted its bid to host the Fifa World Cup 2034.
The stadium, designed to meet the requirements for hosting international sporting events, will also host entertainment, cultural and social events. Its sustainable design will use the latest water and energy management technologies, with solar panels integrated into the stadium’s infrastructure.
The roof design is intended to enhance air movement, ensuring adequate ventilation and controlled access to sunlight inside the stadium during daylight hours.
This month, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the Ministry of Sport said King Salman Stadium in Riyadh – planned to be one of the world’s largest sports arenas – will be ready in the fourth quarter of 2029.
Saudi Arabia’s sports sector is organized into 17 sub-sectors and 88 investment tracks, covering everything from sports education to medicine and manufacturing. It is forecast to grow from SAR30 billion ($8 billion) to SAR84 billion by 2030.
