Saudi Arabia World Cup 2034 stadiums: A comprehensive guide

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Saudi Arabia has formally been announced as the host of the 2034 World Cup in ten years' time after they were the only nation to submit their bid on time to FIFA.

As part of their bid, Saudi Arabia has unveiled the 15 stadiums they would use for the tournament, and only five currently exist.

With their host status confirmed, let's take a closer look at the Saudi Arabia World Cup stadiums.

Saudi Arabia World Cup stadiums

New Murabba Stadium

The new 45,000-seater stadium will be surrounded by canyons in the northwest of Riyadh. A 400-metre-high skyscraper will also be built as part of the build. The official bid document outlined:

“Its design replicates the layered overlapping planes and peeling planar texture of the bark of the native acacia tree.”

King Salman International Stadium

The King Salman International Stadium is the stadium pencilled in to host the 2034 World Cup final, but it still needs to be built. With a planned capacity of 92,000, it will be the largest stadium in the country when completed. The official bid document outlined:

“The stadium will blend into its surrounding topography, with terrain and natural habitat forming part of the stadium's roof.”

King Fahd Sports City Stadium

The King Fahd Sports City Stadium was originally opened in 1987 and has a current capacity of just over 58,000. The stadium is currently being redeveloped with expansion work set to take the capacity to 70,000 ahead of the AFC Asian Cup in 2027.

Roshn Stadium

The Roshn Stadium has one of the most striking designs out of all of the Saudi Arabia World Cup 2034 stadiums. The exterior of the stadium is being built to look like crystallised shards rising into the in an ambitious and spectacular plan. The official bid document stated:

“The stadium is designed as a dynamic part of the urban fabric, encouraging the community to walk around and through the facility.”

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium is the planned stadium for the Qiddiya entertainment district 30km from Riyadh. The stadium will have a capacity of around 47,000 when it is built, and it will be situated on a cliffside, which could make for a stunning visual. The official bid outlined:

“The bowl has been designed to optimise the spectator experience, featuring a unique three-sided arrangement to allow for spectacular views out towards the Tuwaiq cliffs.”

Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium

The Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium currently has a modest capacity of around 22,000, but it is being stripped down and rebuilt so that it can have a new capacity of 44,500 in time for the World Cup. The new stadium will be constructed using locally produced materials.

South Riyadh Stadium

The South Riyadh Stadium doesn't look like much based on the concept art, and its capacity will be relatively modest at 47,060. The striking aspect of this stadium will only be seen from inside or from a birds-eye view as the roof is going to be transparent. The official bid stated:

“The facade blends modernity with the rich architectural language and material palette of the area.”

King Saud University Stadium

The King Saud University Stadium is currently the home of Al Nassr so it's a ground that Cristiano Ronaldo knows very well. As part of the Saudi Arabian bid for the 2034 World Cup, the government have stated that it will be temporarily expanded to a capacity of 46,000 before being reduced to 33,000 after the tournament.

Neom Stadium

The Neom Stadium is part of a larger project to build a new city in Saudi Arabia, Line Mega City. Saudi Arabia has grand plans for the Neom Stadium, and the pitch will be situated hundreds of metres above ground level. The official bid stated:

“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.”

King Abdullah Sports City Stadium

The King Abdullah Sports City Stadium is currently among the biggest in Saudi Arabia and is the home of Al Ahli and Al Ittihad. It was first opened in 2014 and ahead of the 2034 World Cup, there is a plan in place to refurbish it to modernise it further.

Jeddah Central Development Stadium

The Jeddah Central Development Stadium is being built as part of the Jeddah Central Giga Project, and it will have a capacity of 45,000. As part of the wider development, nearly 20,000 homes are being built in addition to an opera house and arts centre. The official bid stated:

“It echoes the traditional architecture of Jeddah's historic Al Balad district while embracing technological advancements and innovative building design.”

Qiddiya Coast Stadium

The Qiddiya Coast Stadium is going to be one of the most colourful stadiums in the world upon completion, which will give it a striking external appearance. The stadium is being built to the north of Jeddah and will have a capacity of 46,096. The official bid outlined:

“It is designed as a physical representation of the vibrant relationship between people and water, energy and matter, with its design also evoking the ripple effect of a Mexican wave.”

King Abdullah Economic City Stadium

Like several of the other planned stadiums in the Saudi bid, the King Abdullah Economic City Stadium will be part of a brand-new city on the Red Sea Coast. The stadium will have a capacity of 45,700 and has been designed so that it looks like a drum.

Aramco Stadium

The Aramco Stadium is part of the Saudi bid for the 2034 World Cup, but its planned completion date is ahead of the AFC Asian Cup in 2007. It is being built in Al Khobar on the east coast and is themed around the sea, which it overlooks. The bid stated:

“The stadium's architecture celebrates the sea's dynamic nature and its profound influence on the local community.”

King Khalid University Stadium

Out of all the existing stadiums in Saudi Arabia that are being used for the 2034 World Cup, the King Khalid University Stadium is undergoing the biggest renovation. Its capacity will be upgraded from 12,000 to 45,000 for the World Cup.

Saudi Arabian World Cup 2034 bid confirmed

It was not surprising that Saudi Arabia ended up winning the bid, given they were the sole bidder for the event.

This means that the World Cup will head to the Middle East for the second time after Qatar in 2022. The quick turnaround for another World Cup in Asia is helped by the fact the 2030 World Cup is being played in Europe, Africa, and South America.

This means only Asia was able to host the 2034 World Cup. Despite protests from Norway, the bid was successful, and now progress will be made on constructing the stadiums we've spoken about above.

While many of the stadiums above won't feature, Saudi Arabia will get two major “warm-up” events as they prepare for World Cup 2034. S

audi Arabia will host the 2027 Asian Football Cup, and the 2029 Winter Games at a new mountain resort in Neom. While it might not seem logical for a Middle Eastern nation to host a winter event famous for featuring snow, Saudi Arabia has that mountain covered.

In snow, we hope.