The Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium, designed by Populous, is set to be the world’s first fully integrated venue with a combined retractable roof, pitch, and LED wall.
Located in Qiddiya City, on the 200m-high Tuwaiq cliff, the stadium will host some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest sports, entertainment, and cultural events. The stadium is a central venue in an urban entertainment district and convenient access to Qiddiya City’s vibrant Gaming & Esports district, which Populous also designed.
The stadium is also directly near 50,000 square meters of shopping, dining, and entertainment spaces. When it is done, it will host the region’s biggest sports events, including the Saudi King Cup, the Asian Cup, and possibly the 2034 Asian Games.
About the stadium, Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, said, “Our ambition is for Qiddiya City to become a global destination for entertainment, sports, and culture, and this iconic new stadium will be at its very heart. The futuristic venue aims to reinvent the traditional stadium concept and embody the true spirit of Qiddiya’s Power of Play philosophy. It uses state-of-the-art technology and innovative, world-leading design to put the spectator at the center of the experience.”
Shireen Hamdan, Senior Principal and GM of Populous MENA, adds, “We have been able to draw on all our experience in sports and entertainment venues to create this iconic multi-use stadium. The location and design of this unique, futuristic venue will ensure an incredible experience for everyone who visits and uses it.”
Managing Director of Populous, EMEA, Chris Lee, said, “The Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium represents a quantum leap in stadium design and a new generation of digitally-enabled innovation. The level of embedded technology will enable both incredible gaming and entertainment experiences and a new way for fans to watch and enjoy football itself.
Rhys Courtney, Senior Principal and Project Lead for the project, said, “In designing this flagship venue, we were inspired both by the clifftop location, and the innovation and ‘Play Life’ ethos of Qiddiya. The stadium exterior is formed by a collection of modular cubes that act as an extension of the Tuwaiq cliff, framed by portals that glimpse into the future of the city. The stadium spans the height of the cliff to connect the upper plateau and the Gaming & Esports district, to the lower plateau and theme parks below.”
