Saudi Arabia shows off first look at 92,000-seat King Salman Stadium

Saudi Arabia has revealed the first look at the King Salman Stadium, a monumental sports venue set to become one of the world’s largest.

The stadium, with a seating capacity of 92,000, will be located in northern Riyadh and is scheduled for completion by late 2029. Designed by renowned global architectural firm Populous, the stadium’s design draws inspiration from the country’s striking natural landscapes, reflecting its vision for growth, sustainability, and inclusivity.

The project, which is a part of the Kingdom’s wider ambitions to transform Riyadh into a global sports hub, will serve as the home of Saudi Arabia’s national football team and will host major national and international sporting events. It will also be a venue for large-scale entertainment spectacles. The stadium is strategically located near the expansive King Abdulaziz Park, along King Salman Road, making it a key landmark for the city’s development.

A vision rooted in nature and sustainability

The masterplan for the King Salman Stadium features an innovative design concept that draws from the natural world, with the stadium’s shape likened to seeds germinating and breaking through the earth. This design symbolises Saudi Arabia’s commitment to nurturing sports talent at all levels and embracing sustainable development principles.

Photo: Populous

Shireen Hamdan, General Manager of Populous KSA, explained, “Beyond creating advanced sports facilities, the King Salman Stadium aims to unite athleticism and the environment, inspiring all who engage with it. The design philosophy reflects a commitment to cutting-edge infrastructure while paying tribute to the intrinsic connection between sustainable development, human activity, and the natural world.”

Stadium features and amenities

The King Salman Stadium will offer over 92,000 seats, ensuring an exceptional experience for spectators. The venue will feature a compact seating bowl that enhances the atmosphere, ensuring an intimate environment for fans while meeting FIFA’s high standards.

Key amenities include:

• A Royal Box, hospitality skyboxes, and lounges for premium experiences.
• 300 VVIP seats and 2,200 VIP seats for exclusive guests.
• Internal screens, gardens, and a rooftop walking path offering panoramic views of King Abdulaziz Park.
• Barrier-free accessibility for all visitors, ensuring inclusivity for all spectators.

The stadium’s design also focuses on spectator engagement, with vibrant landscaped walkways connecting the venue to surrounding commercial spaces. These walkways will transform into dynamic spaces featuring retail and leisure activities on non-match days, ensuring the stadium is a hub of activity year-round.

Community and sports facilities

The King Salman Stadium is not just a sports venue but a comprehensive hub designed to serve the community. The surrounding masterplan includes various sports and community facilities:

• An athletics stadium and football training fields for professional athletes.
• An Aquatics Centre, featuring an Olympic-sized swimming pool for competitive events.
• A 9-kilometre sports track, indoor sports hall, and a community sports park offering amenities for volleyball, basketball, and padel.

Additionally, the site will feature fan zones and landscaped areas, as well as year-round retail, leisure, and commercial spaces, making the stadium a place for people to visit even on non-event days. This integration of community engagement with major sporting events aims to position Riyadh as a leading global sporting destination.

Sustainable design and environmental integration

Sustainability is at the heart of the stadium’s design. Green walls, rooftop gardens, and a connecting valley integrate the stadium with King Abdulaziz Park, reflecting the country’s commitment to environmental consciousness. The landscape features help to blend the stadium with its surroundings, creating a harmonious space that respects both nature and human activity.

Photo: Populous

Supporting Saudi Arabia’s sports ecosystem

The King Salman Stadium is a key part of Saudi Arabia’s long-term sports strategy, which includes the development of new stadiums and facilities for upcoming international events.

The Kingdom’s plans include the 2034 FIFA World Cup, for which 11 new stadiums are set to be constructed in cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and the developing NEOM.

These stadiums will be refurbished and designed to meet the highest international standards, providing the infrastructure necessary to host major international tournaments.

Mark Craine, Senior Principal at Populous, said, “The King Salman Stadium has been designed to meet FIFA’s highest standards while accommodating diverse event types. It’s a venue where architecture blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, creating a unique sporting hub for Riyadh.”

A transformative project for Saudi Arabia

As part of the Kingdom’s wider ambitions to boost sports development and participation, the King Salman Stadium will play a pivotal role in the future of Saudi Arabia’s sports ecosystem.

By combining state-of-the-art facilities with a design rooted in nature and community, the stadium will help to elevate Riyadh as a premier destination for both sporting and cultural events.

The unveiling of the stadium’s first look marks the beginning of a new chapter for Saudi Arabia’s commitment to hosting global sporting events, with the King Salman Stadium poised to stand as a beacon of innovation and sustainability for years to come.

Photo: Populous

Key highlights:

• Seating capacity: 92,000
• Completion: Scheduled for 2029
• Features: Royal Box, VVIP & VIP seating, rooftop walking path, gardens, and commercial spaces
• Sustainability: Green walls, rooftop gardens, and integration with King Abdulaziz Park
• Sports facilities: Athletics stadium, football training fields, Aquatics Centre, community sports park
• Legacy: Part of Saudi Arabia’s broader sports strategy to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup and other major events