Saudi Arabia has outlined ambitious plans to construct 11 new stadiums as part of its bid to host the 2034 Men’s World Cup, including a stunning venue situated 350 meters above ground in the unbuilt city of NEOM.
The nation aims to host the inaugural 48-team World Cup across five proposed cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM. Of the 15 stadiums proposed, eight will be located in the capital Riyadh, featuring the brand new King Salman Stadium, which will accommodate 92,000 spectators and host the tournament opener and final.
NEOM stands out as one of the most intriguing venues—an innovative city currently under construction along the Red Sea. This futuristic development is designed to become an ‘indoor city’ comprised of parallel skyscrapers.
Among the planned facilities is a 46,000-capacity stadium that will be built 350 meters high, accessible only by high-speed lifts and driverless vehicles. The venue is set to operate entirely on renewable energy sourced primarily from wind and solar power. According to the Saudibid2034 website, “This new stadium will be the most unique in the world,” featuring a pitch elevated above ground level and a roof integrated into the city itself. After the tournament, the stadium will house a professional football club and serve as a hub for the city’s sporting initiatives.
Another notable venue in Riyadh is the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium, which will seat 45,000 and be embedded into a cliff edge, showcasing iridescent glass and shimmering metal for a cutting-edge appearance. This stadium will host matches through various tournament rounds, including the group stage and third-place play-off.
Jeddah, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia, will see the development of four proposed stadiums, including the exciting Qiddiya Coast arena, designed to evoke the ripple effect of a ‘Mexican wave’ during matches.
Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the sole candidate to host the 2034 World Cup after Australia opted not to submit a bid.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s minister for sport, expressed enthusiasm for the project in a statement: “Together, we are working towards materializing Saudi Arabia’s dream of hosting the FIFA World Cup into a tangible reality. These plans will merge our rich football heritage with our deep passion for the game, ensuring Saudi Arabia’s success as the first nation to host a 48-team tournament in one country.”
Credit: Sport Bible
