Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. Their stadium plans are mind-blowing

By Samuel Lowen

December 12, 2024 — 7.45pm

Fifa has confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 soccer World Cup.

The Gulf state emerged as the only bidder and has already started building ambitious stadiums for the event.

There will be 15 venues, 11 of which will be new. There will be eight in the capital, Riyadh, four in Jeddah and one each in Al Khobar, Abha and the new desert city of Neom. The futuristic designs released by the Saudis are eye-catching to say the least, and some border on the absurd in terms of ambition and scale.

Here is our guide to each stadium, including a “madness” rating out of 10.

Riyadh

King Salman International Stadium
Capacity: 92,760
This is the crown jewel of the Saudi World Cup project, and it is no surprise the King Salman stadium will host the World Cup final. The largest stadium for the tournament has a compact seating-bowl design executed by renowned stadium designer Populous, which designed the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, among others. Populous wants the arena to blend in seamlessly with the mountainous environment.

“The stadium will blend into its surrounding topography, with the terrain and natural habitat forming part of the stadium’s roof,” Populous said. “Aside from its aesthetic appeal, this design will provide effective shading and ventilation tailored to the desert climate.” Madness rating: 8/10

King Fahd Sports City Stadium
Capacity: 70,200
The refurbishment of the King Fahd Sports City Stadium, based in the east of Riyadh, is under way to be ready for the 2027 Asian Cup. The stadium originally opened in 1987 with a capacity of 58,000, which will be expanded for the World Cup. The complex has a distinctive fabric roof supported on a series of 24 masts, each 58 metres high. Madness rating: 6/10

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium
Capacity: 46,979
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, named after the crown prince, will be built atop a 200-metre-high cliff as part of a futuristic design. The complex will have stands on three sides and a large retractable LED wall occupying the other side. Madness rating: 8/10

New Murabba Stadium
Capacity: 46,010
Unusually created using the bark of an Acacia tree, the New Murabba Stadium will be surrounded by rock-like forms and divided by towering canyons. The 45,000-seat stadium will form part of the larger Murabba downtown development, which is being created in the north-west of Riyadh. Madness rating: 8/10

Roshn Stadium
Capacity: 46,000
The Roshn Stadium is one of the ambitious projects that is still in the concept phase. The Public Investment Fund is looking for contractors to build the stadium. The design resembles numerous crystal shard-like pieces rising into the air, which will also glow at night. The stadium will be built to the south of Riyadh as part of a wider residential neighbourhood. Madness rating: 9/10

Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium, Riyadh.

Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium
Capacity: 46,865
The existing stadium is under expansion, and is set to be one of the host venues of the 2027 Asian Cup. The redevelopment will aim to combine “the country’s traditional central region motifs” and architecture. Madness rating: 6/10

South Riyadh Stadium
Capacity: 47,060
This stadium will be wrapped in numerous reddish-brown vertical fins and topped with a transparent roof. Solar panels will be integrated into the design to generate sustainable energy. Madness rating: 5/10

King Saud University Stadium
Capacity: 46,319
The King Saud University Stadium is where Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr play. For the 2027 Asian Cup and 2034 World Cup, designer Populous will increase the capacity from 27,000 to more than 46,000. Features will include a new “lightweight spoke wheel roof” and other enhanced amenities to meet FIFA standards. Madness rating: 5/10

Jeddah

King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
Capacity: 58,432
The King Abdullah Sports City Stadium was built in 2014 and can hold up to 58,000 fans. It is currently the second-largest stadium in Saudi Arabia. Nicknamed “The Shining Jewel” for its distinctive geometric design, the multipurpose stadium is in the heart of Jeddah. For the 2034 World Cup, the stadium will be renovated to meet all requirements. Madness rating: 4/10

Qiddiya Coast Stadium
Capacity: 46,096
One of the most colourful stadiums being built for the World Cup, the Qiddiya Coast Stadium is supposedly inspired by the “dynamic relationship between people and water, energy, and matter”, and is meant to evoke “the ripple effect of a Mexican wave”. The stadium will be 45 kilometres north of Jeddah. Madness rating: 7/10

Jeddah Central Development Stadium
Capacity: 45,794
This stadium will be surrounded by buildings that have the appearance of historical structures, combining the old with the new. “It echoes the traditional architecture of Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, while embracing technological advancements and innovative building design,” said the bid committee. Madness rating: 7/10

King Abdullah Economic City Stadium, Jeddah.

King Abdullah Economic City Stadium
Capacity: 45,700
The King Abdullah Economic City Stadium will be built in the shape of a drum and is a central part of the new city of Red Sea Coast. Madness rating: 6/10

Al Khobar

Aramco Stadium
Capacity: 46,096
One of the stadiums already under construction, the Aramco Stadium is due to be completed by 2026 and used for the 2027 Asian Cup. The design of the stadium, which will be covered with sail-like forms, aims to encompass “the whirlpools of the coast of Saudi Arabia”. The official bid said: “Its whirlpool-shaped design mimics overlapping sails and draws on graceful, natural wave motifs to blend seamlessly with the coastal landscape.” Madness rating: 7/10

Abha

King Khalid University Stadium
Capacity: 45,428
The King Khalid University Stadium, in the south-west city of Abha, is one of the existing stadiums under refurbishment. The stadium opened in 1987, and has a current capacity of 12,000, which will increase drastically for the World Cup. The renovation will include a new west stand, enhanced technological systems and additional amenities to manage the increased foot traffic. Madness rating: 6/10

Neom

Neom Stadium
Capacity: 46,010
This Neom project is one of the most intriguing and bizarre stadiums of the 2034 World Cup. It is part of the wider “megacity” under construction. The Saudis claim the project, to be built above a working marina, will be “the most unique stadium in the world”. The bid said: “With a pitch situated more than 350 metres above ground, stunning vistas, and a roof created from the city itself, the stadium will be an experience like no other.” Madness rating: 9/10

NewsBite