Who’s ready for Saudi Arabia 2034 FIFA? The Kingdom’s new stadiums — to be completed in time for the 2034 FIFA World Cup — are a sight to behold.
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Saudi Arabia has unveiled the stadiums that will host the 2034 World Cup in a bid to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The bid showcases the cultural shifts the country has incurred over the years, along with the Kingdom’s plans to further elevate all of its arenas motivated by Saudi Vision 2030. The Saudi Vision 2030 is a government program envisioned by the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, launched to boost diversification economically, culturally, and socially.
The bid book reveals the 11 stadiums the country plans to build for the event, along with its plans to refurbish the four existing ones. The new stadiums will be constructed across Jeddah, Riyadh, Abha, Al Khobar, and NEOM — the eco-city that is currently under construction, and where The Line will be built. Riyadh will be home to eight of the stadiums: King Salman International stadium, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, New Murabba stadium, Roshn stadium, King Fahd Sports City stadium, Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City stadium, South Riyadh stadium and lastly, King Saud University stadium.
Photo: Qiddiya Coast Stadium. Courtesy of Saudi 2034
Four of the stadiums will be in Jeddah: King Abdullah Sports City stadium, King Abdullah Economic City stadium, Qiddiya Coast stadium, and Jeddah Central Development stadium. Lastly, the final three stadiums will be located in NEOM (NEOM stadium), Al Khobar (Aramco stadium), and Abha (King Khalid University stadium).
Photo: NEOM Stadium. Courtesy of Saudi 2034
Renders of the stadiums reflect Saudi’s futuristic vision and are all designed to embody that aesthetic. Among the renders, the stadium that has attracted the most attention is NEOM stadium, which is described as the “most unique stadium in the world,” and will be built in the linear smart and sustainable city, The Line. The stadium is set to hold 46,000 people and run on renewable energy generated through solar and wind sources. Aside from the stadium at The Line, Prince Mohammed bin Salman stadium has also garnered a lot of attention due to its LED screen and colored glass exterior, and interesting location (at the edge of a cliff). Most of the new stadiums’ construction is estimated to be finished by 2032.
Photo: Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium. Courtesy of Saudi 2034
Although FIFA is yet to confirm Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup, which will officially be revealed in December, Saudi Arabia’s plans showcase promise and the Kingdom may just be titled the host of the esteemed event very soon.
