Saudi plans another stadium amid flurry of new builds

Saudi Arabia is set to gain another stadium, amid a flurry of new builds and upgrades.

The New Murabba Development Company, which is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), today unveiled designs for the new venue.

The 45,000-capacity stadium will be located in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2032.

The development company said the venue would feature “cutting-edge” sporting technology, while renderings show the stadium in football mode – suggesting that it could be used for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi.

Other new builds in Saudi include the 45,000-cap Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium located in Qiddiya, an entertainment and tourism megaproject in Riyadh unveiled as part of the Vision 2030 masterplan.

The stadium, named after Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, will be capable of hosting some of the country’s biggest sports, entertainment, and cultural events, including, potentially, matches at the 2034 World Cup.

“The New Murabba Stadium embodies our commitment to transforming Riyadh into a global destination for sports and entertainment”

It will serve as the home of Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr and is projected to attract an estimated 7.6m annual visitors, with a retractable roof, pitch, and LED wall, and a lake and ice wall to cool the air inside.

Meanwhile, ASM Global has planned a 20,000-cap Jeddah Arena Airport City at King Abdulaziz International Airport, according to the Global Arena Guide 2024, and other developments are planned for Dammam.

Saudi already has four large stadiums under construction or being upgraded ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup, which it is also hosting.

“The New Murabba Stadium embodies our commitment to transforming Riyadh into a global destination for sports and entertainment,” says Michael Dyke, chief executive of New Murabba Development Company.

“The stadium will not only be a world-class venue for sporting events but also a vibrant community hub that enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”

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