Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign MoU to build new cricket stadium in Jeddah

Countries to jointly develop infrastructure, exchange technical expertise, improve operational standards

Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a new stadium project in Jeddah.

The MoU was signed by Saudi Cricket Federation Chairman Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Muhammad Al Saud and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

The partnership marked a step toward the expansion of cricket in the Middle East, as well as Saudi Arabia’s sports growth, with Pakistan bringing decades of expertise in stadium design, construction, and cricket facility management.

Under the agreement, Islamabad and Riyadh would work jointly to plan the stadium, develop infrastructure, exchange technical expertise, and improve operational standards, so as to develop a modern and world-class cricket venue.

Speaking on the occasion, Prince Al Saud said that the partnership is not limited to the construction of a cricket stadium in Jeddah, but will prove to be the foundation for the long-term development of cricket in Saudi Arabia.

Read: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia sign security MoU, agree to develop cricket stadium in Jeddah

The prince added that the project reflected a shared vision, strong partnership, and sustainable investment. He stated that the proposed stadium would play a significant role in enabling Saudi Arabia to host international cricket matches and major sporting events.

Further, the project is expected to promote investment in sports, tourism, and community engagement, which is in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Jeddah’s new stadium could host international matches, regional tournaments, and training camps, with the project fitting into Riyadh's Vision 2030 strategy to diversify entertainment and sports infrastructure.

The collaboration strengthened sports diplomacy between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia beyond traditional ties. It could also create opportunities for Pakistani engineers, architects, coaches, and sports administrators. It may also attract international cricket boards to consider Saudi Arabia as a neutral venue, with success of the project potentially leading to more cricket infrastructure projects across the Middle East.

Naqvi arrived in Riyadh on July 1, where he also held talks with Saudi authorities regarding bilateral cooperation across various fields including security, drug prevention, and institutional cooperation.