Saudi Arabia reveals Neom Stadium plans

Article posted by Coliseum, August 6^th, 2024

Image: Ministry of Sport

Saudi Arabia has revealed plans to build a stadium on top of The Line mega city, which is being built as part of the Neom development.

Dezeen said that the planned new stadium, which will sit 350 metres above the ground, has been unveiled as part of Saudi Arabia’s official bid submission to FIFA for the 2034 World Cup.

The Neom Suspended Stadium will host tournament matches, including the quarter-finals, with a capacity of 46,000 spectators.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) officially launched its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup in March, putting it on a path to become the second Middle Eastern country to host the event after Qatar.

Image: Ministry of Sport

As a result of having Africa, South America and Europe each hosting a 2030 World Cup game, FIFA limited the 2034 hosting to bidders from Asia and Oceania (a geographical region comprising Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia).

SAFF said in its official bid, “Neom Stadium will be the most unique stadium in the world. With a pitch situated more than 350 meters above ground, stunning vistas, and a roof created from the city itself, the stadium will be an experience like no other.”

The stadium will be part of the first section of The Line, currently under construction, making it an integral part of this ambitious city.

This section, known as the Hidden Marina, will include a man-made marina with a large arch for boats to pass through.

The stadium’s LED-lit roof will resemble “cracked glass,” creating a mirror effect above visitors with a beehive-like design.

Image: Ministry of Sport

This multi-faceted theme extends to the interior visual art, with spectator stands divided into angular sections beneath a city-like structure of reflective screens.

Along with the stadium, several supporting facilities will be built within The Line, including a “fan festival site”, training pitches and five hotels.

Neom is one of 14 giga projects being developed in Saudi Arabia as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to move the country’s economy away from a reliance on oil.

Construction of the stadium is planned to begin in 2027, with completion expected in 2032. Following the World Cup, the stadium will become the home of a newly formed Saudi professional football team.

The Neom Stadium is one of 15 that will host games at the World Cup in 2034. Other stadiums set to host games at the tournament include a 92,000-seat stadium in Riyadh and a stadium that will overlook a cliff in Qiddiya – both designed by Populous.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud endorsed on July 29^th the Kingdom’s (Saudi Arabia) bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034™.

The endorsement follows the completion of the bid’s detailed requirements ahead of the bid book submission to FIFA in France’s Paris.

The 2034 FIFA World Cup will be the 25^th FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men’s national teams of the member-associations of FIFA. It is set to be hosted in Saudi Arabia as it was the only nation to submit a bid in time for FIFA’s deadline of October 31^st, 2023.

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