Mohammed bin Salman Stadium: Saudi Arabia announces new 45,000 seat venue in Qiddiya

Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya will be home to the Kingdom’s new 45-000 seat stadium set to be the world’s first fully integrated venue with a combined retractable roof, pitch, and giant LED wall, the Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) announced on Monday.

The multi-use Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium will host some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest sports, entertainment, and cultural events, according to a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

A must-visit destination

Located in Qiddiya City, just 40 minutes from Riyadh, the futuristic venue is set to be a must-visit destination and aims to draw visitors from across the globe.

It was designed to revolutionize the traditional stadium experience with its immersive layout and unique technological features, putting spectators at the center of the show, SPA reported.

Once open, the 45,000-seat multi-functional stadium will serve as the home ground of Saudi Pro League football clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr and is one of the proposed venues for the 2034 FIFA World Cup matches to be held in the Kingdom.

It is also poised to host some of the region’s biggest sports events including the Saudi King Cup, the Asian Cup and possibly the 2034 Asian Games.

“Our ambition is for Qiddiya City to become a global destination for entertainment, sports and culture and this iconic new stadium will be at its very heart,” Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company Abdullah bin Nasser al-Dawood, was quoted as saying.

“The futuristic venue aims to reinvent the traditional stadium concept and embody the true spirit of Qiddiya’s Power of Play philosophy. It uses state-of-the-art technology and innovative, world-leading design to put the spectator at the center of the experience.”

A multi-use venue

Designed by leading global architectural firm Populous, the stadium’s retractable roof, pitch and LED wall is an architectural innovation that offers versatility and allows the space to transform into different “event modes” in a matter of hours, the SPA report said.

The giant LED wall will broadcast live events, high-definition films and laser shows, providing guests with an immersive experience like never before.

When not activated, it will display views of Qiddiya City.

Guests will be able to enjoy several events in a single day, including football, boxing, esports, concerts, and theatre performances.

The stadium will employ cutting-edge technology to provide fans with instant access to live data and information, including the use of state-of-the-art holographic technology, enabling virtual interactions with celebrities and stars.

As a central venue in an urban entertainment district, the stadium promises an extended play experience with direct and convenient access to Qiddiya City’s vibrant Gaming & Esport District as well as other city entertainment options around the area.

Integrated into the city fabric through a variety of transportation choices, including park ’n ride and drop-off zones, the stadium is also within direct proximity to 50,000 square meters of shopping, dining and entertainment spaces as well as hotel options.

Climate-controlled facilities

The venue will be able to host events all year round in its climate-controlled facilities, where energy consumption will be reduced through an eco-friendly cooling lake built directly under the stadium.

The lake will use rainwater capture from the stadium and the surrounding area to pre-cool the air conditioning system.

1.8 million annual visits

There will be an estimated 1.8 million annual visits to the stadium, along with six million visits to other activities, playing a key role in Vision 2030’s targets for a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation - driving tourism and creating jobs.

The announcement follows Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s recent unveiling of his vision to transform Qiddiya City into a global destination for entertainment, sports, and culture.

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