There’s no slowing down in Saudi Arabia with their latest announcement of a 92,000 capacity sports stadium unveiled over the weekend.
Named after King Salman, the report by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said the stadium and its sporting facilities are due to complete in 2029 and will serve as the Saudi national team’s main headquarters.
Poised to be one of the world’s largest sports arenas, the stadium is strategically positioned near the King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh Metro station, and major roadways to ensure easy access from all parts of the city.
The stadium
Spanning more than 660,000 sqm, King Salman Stadium will feature a range of amenities for various sports activities including commercial centres and recreational areas accessible to visitors of all age groups throughout the day.
Breaking it down further, the general plan for King Salman stadium includes multiple surrounding sports facilities including two training fields as well as fan zones, a closed sports hall, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an athletics track, and outdoor courts for volleyball, basketball, and padel tennis. These facilities will be interconnected by a 9km sports track surrounding King Abdulaziz Park.
While the main stadium will accommodate 92,000 seats, there will also be a 150-seat royal suite, 120 hospitality suites, 300 VIP seats, as well as 2,200 dignitary seats.
The design
Visitors can expect to enjoy sustainable cooling systems, extended indoor screens, gardens, and a walking track with a scenic view of King Abdulaziz Park atop the stadium.
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 main stadium’s architectural design includes green walls and ceilings spanning over 96,500 sqm, drawing inspiration from local urban structures and aligning with environmental sustainability and green building standards,” said a spokesman for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
Along with the recently announced 42,000 capacity New Murabba Stadium as part of the New Murabba precinct in Riyadh, the developments reinforce the country’s Vision 2030 strategy which was launched in 2016.
Major events on the Kingdom’s sports calendar include the 2024-2026 Women’s Tennis Association Finals, the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite 2025-2026, the 2025 Olympic Esports Games, 2027 Asian Cup, 2029 Winter Olympics, 2034 Asian Games, and the 2034 World Cup.
