Saudi Arabia Announces Massive King Salman Stadium With Over 90,000 Seating Capacity

King Salman Stadium

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) and the Ministry of Sport have revealed designs for the King Salman Stadium, set to become one of the world’s largest sports arenas.

The stadium, located in northern Riyadh, will serve as the headquarters for the Saudi national team and host major sporting events.

Situated along King Salman Road adjacent to King Abdulaziz Park, the stadium’s location offers proximity to key city landmarks, including King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh Metro station, and major thoroughfares.

?? #?????_?????_?????
?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????? ????#????_????????_2030 pic.twitter.com/BkQdvQDbkn

— ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? (@RCRCSA) July 28, 2024

The project reflects the support of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It aims to boost the Kingdom’s status as a leading sports hub and support athlete development.

Construction is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2029. The design, chosen from proposals submitted by six international companies, draws inspiration from the local mountainous landscape and integrates with King Abdulaziz Park through a valley intersecting the stadium garden and green spaces.

The main stadium’s architecture features green walls and ceilings covering over 96,500 square metres, aligning with environmental sustainability and green building standards.

“Among several proposals submitted by six specialized international companies, the chosen design draws inspiration from the mountainous landscape, integrating with King Abdulaziz Park through a valley that intersects the surrounding stadium garden and green spaces. The companies worked on providing the best proposals to meet FIFA’s requirements and the standards of sustainability and architectural excellence,” the report said.

The stadium complex, spanning over 660,000 square metres, includes amenities for various sports activities, commercial centres, and recreational areas.

The main stadium will have a seating capacity of 92,000, featuring a 150-seat royal suite, 120 hospitality suites, 300 VIP seats, and 2,200 dignitary seats.

Sustainable cooling systems for the audience seats and stadium floor, along with extended indoor screens for spectators, indoor gardens, and a walking track with a scenic view of King Abdulaziz Park atop the stadium, will offer visitors an exceptional experience,” the report added.

The general plan includes multiple surrounding sports facilities covering over 360,000 square metres.

These include two training fields, fan zones, a closed sports hall, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an athletics track, and outdoor courts for volleyball, basketball, and padel tennis.

A 9-kilometre-long sports track surrounding King Abdulaziz Park connects these facilities.

“The King Salman Stadium and its sporting facilities will enhance sports activities, fostering a generation of athletic individuals following a healthy lifestyle, competing regionally and globally, and excelling in various sports fields,” the report said.

The project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s sports objectives, aiming to provide infrastructure to keep pace with sporting developments.

By hosting major global entertainment events and offering diverse investment opportunities, the stadium’s sporting and commercial facilities are expected to boost investments and contribute to the local economy.

The stadium’s construction is part of broader efforts to empower athletes, enhance their performance, and strengthen the Kingdom’s position in the global sports arena.

It is also intended to improve Riyadh’s quality of life and elevate the city’s global ranking as one of the ‘best cities to live in the world’.