The 2034 World Cup stadiums are 15 international stadiums with world-class specifications in five cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha, and Neom. The stadiums were distributed across the five cities as follows: Riyadh has eight stadiums, Jeddah has four stadiums, and Al-Khobar, Abha, and Neom have one stadium in each city. Four existing stadiums will be developed while work is underway to build 11 completely new stadiums, including King Salman Stadium, which can accommodate more than 92,000 spectators. It is scheduled to host the opening and final matches of the tournament, and the stadium will become the new headquarters of the Saudi national team.
2034 World Cup Host Stadiums in Riyadh
Eight international stadiums with world-class specifications will be in Riyadh and will be dedicated to hosting the 2034 World Cup. Only two of them are currently in operation, namely King Fahd Sports City and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City, which are under development, while six new stadiums will be built before the 2034 World Cup kicks off. The stadiums are as follows:
King Salman International Stadium
This new stadium is designed to have the highest capacity in the Kingdom, and will become one of the most prominent sports centers in the world and the main stadium for the Saudi national team. The stadium and the surrounding area will form a fundamental pillar of the master plan for the Green Riyadh project, and contribute to driving the continuous development of Riyadh. King Salman International Stadium is one of the largest sports stadiums in the world. It is inspired by local urbanism, and its capacity is 92,000 seats. Its area with its sports facilities is 660,000 m2. It will be completed during the fourth quarter of 2029, and will host the opening ceremony of the 2034 World Cup finals as well as the final match.
King Fahd International Stadium
King Fahd International Stadium is one of the most prominent stadiums in the region, and its roof features an architectural design inspired by the traditional Arab tent. The stadium is located near the city’s most important destinations, such as the Sports Path Project, which will provide easy access to green spaces. The stadium renovation project will see a significant increase in capacity, and the possibility of using it for various purposes, from football matches to concerts. It is one of the multi-purpose sports stadiums in Saudi Arabia, and hosts matches and sporting events, and is supervised by the Ministry of Sports. It was opened during the reign of King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1408 AH / 1988 AD, and is located northeast of the capital, Riyadh, specifically on Prince Bandar bin Abdulaziz Road in the Al-Mu’aizilah neighborhood.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium
One of the projects of Qiddiya Investment Company, named after His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, is one of the most prominent stadiums in the world, and one of the stadiums hosting the 2034 World Cup, as it will include technologies and capabilities that have never been implemented in similar projects, and will host sports, cultural and artistic events.
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium
The current stadium is scheduled to be replaced and a new stadium will be built within the framework of a master plan that includes a number of parks and gardens in the surrounding area. It will be built using locally manufactured materials, and a huge set of solar panels will be installed on the roof of the stadium surrounded by green spaces for multiple uses. The stadium is located in the heart of a vital area that constitutes a distinctive destination for the local community. It is supervised by the Ministry of Sports, and is one of the oldest Saudi stadiums, as it was established during the reign of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1971 AD. The stadium is also an integrated complex for a number of sports activities, and the total area on which it was built is about 120 thousand square meters.
Roshan Stadium
Located southwest of the capital, Riyadh, it has a capacity of 45,000 seats, with a total area of more than 450 thousand square meters.
New Al-Murabba Stadium
It is one of the sports and entertainment facilities, and one of the main components of the “New Square” of the destination being developed in the city of Riyadh.
South Riyadh Stadium
The new stadium is inspired by the principles of Salmani architecture that blend the spirit of authenticity, heritage and modernity together. It is scheduled to become the main stadium for one of the football clubs, and host a wide range of sports and entertainment events after the end of the World Cup competitions. The area surrounding the stadium contributes to enhancing community participation activities, making the stadium a favorite destination for future generations.
King Saud University Stadium
This stadium is located in a distinguished location next to the “U-Walk” complex, and is one of the most important multi-use projects affiliated with King Saud University. The stadium currently hosts Saudi Professional League matches and other major sporting events, and its capacity is scheduled to be increased to host a number of championship matches. It is affiliated with King Saud University, which is responsible for supervising it, and it was designed according to the latest international standards.
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah
Built in 2014, this stadium is nicknamed the “Shining Jewel” due to its distinctive architectural design. The stadium’s planned renovation aims to meet the specific requirements of FIFA while preserving its distinctive design elements. Popularly known as the “Jewel Stadium” or “Shining Jewel,” it is a component of King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, hosting major sporting matches and events, and is supervised by the Ministry of Sports.
King Abdullah Economic City Stadium
This new stadium is set to be built in King Abdullah Economic City on the Red Sea coast. The stadium features a multi-use design with aesthetic touches inspired by local coral reefs. After the tournament, the stadium will be used to host football matches, concerts and exhibitions, and the surrounding areas will be dedicated to community activities.
Qiddiya Coast Stadium
This new stadium will be built in the heart of the Qiddiya Coast project on the shores of the Red Sea, alongside several other sports facilities and hotels. The stadium’s design is inspired by the undulating appearance of “Mexican waves” with rich and vibrant color gradations. The stadium is set to be transformed into a multi-purpose entertainment center after the tournament.
Jeddah Central Stadium
The stadium’s design echoes the distinctive architectural styles of the historic Jeddah Al-Balad district, while adopting technological developments and innovative building designs. The stadium will be built in Jeddah’s Sports Parks District, surrounded by areas dedicated to fans, entertainment, retail, education and medical services. The stadium is set to become home to two professional football clubs.
Aramco Stadium
This new stadium is located on the Arabian Gulf coast north of Al Khobar, and features a dynamic design inspired by sea whirlpools. After the tournament, Aramco Stadium will be transformed into the home of a professional football club. Aramco Stadium is one of the stadiums that will host the 2034 World Cup finals. It is being built in Al-Khobar Governorate with a capacity of about 47,000 seats. Work on it is expected to be completed by 2026, to become the main stadium for Al-Qadisiyah Club, owned by the Saudi Arabian Oil Company “Saudi Aramco”, and one of the main headquarters for the Asian Cup events that Saudi Arabia will host in 2027.
King Khalid University Stadium
King Khalid University Stadium is located southeast of Abha city. It is scheduled to witness expansion work to increase its capacity to more than 45,000 spectators, with the aim of hosting a number of matches for the 2034 World Cup. The stadium renovation process focuses on updating the infrastructure while taking into account the historical context of the stadium after the tournament. The stadium will host a professional football club and will be available for use by the university and the local community.
NEOM Stadium
NEOM Stadium is distinguished by its pitch being more than 350 meters above ground level, and its roof extending from the city’s roof, providing an exceptional and unprecedented experience for attending football matches, and embodying one of the most prominent landmarks in the world. After the conclusion of the tournament, NEOM Stadium will be the main stadium for a professional football club, and the center of the city’s sports activities and lifestyle program.
