Saudi Arabia plans stadium atop 350 metre skyscraper for World Cup 2034

Saudi Arabia unveils plans for 46 000-seat Sky Stadium atop 350m tower in NEOM as part of World Cup 2034 bid

Saudi Arabia has revealed one of the most ambitious sports infrastructure projects ever conceived, as part of its hosting plans for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Officials have unveiled the concept for the Sky Stadium, set to sit atop a 350-metre (1,150-foot) skyscraper in the futuristic NEOM megacity.

The stadium concept carries a seating capacity of 46,000, and will be positioned to host matches from the group stages through to the quarter-finals. Construction is planned to begin in 2026 (or 2027 according to some reports) and completion is expected by 2032, two years ahead of the tournament opening.

Guests attending matches at the Sky Stadium will access the venue via high-speed elevators climbing inside the tower, which itself forms part of the NEOM “The Line” development. The project is being marketed as wholly powered by renewable energy, with solar and wind systems integrated into the design to align with Saudi Arabia’s sustainability goals.

This stadium is one of a larger plan to build up to 11 or more new venues across the kingdom in preparation for the World Cup, with officials indicating the campaign as part of a broader national vision to modernise sport, tourism and infrastructure.

 

 

 

 

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Critics, however, have raised concerns over whether the project is feasible, pointing to the engineering challenges of hosting an active football match 350 metres in the air, as well as broader issues around labour, human rights and the speed of stadium delivery. The ultra-modern nature of the concept could mark a dramatic departure from conventional stadium architecture and might reshape how major sporting events are staged in the future.

Saudi Arabia’s bid for the World Cup has been controversial in some quarters, not least because the selection process moved rapidly and with fewer other candidates than past tournaments. Some observers view this stadium plan as emblematic of the kingdom’s ambition to signal a new era of global sport leadership.

Whether the Sky Stadium becomes a reality or remains a visionary render, its announcement has already made headlines around the world. For fans of football architecture and major sports events, the idea of a sky-high football venue adds a fresh layer of spectacle to an event historically anchored to ground-level arenas.