Saudi Arabia is embarking on a new project that defies belief. In addition to the 10,200-square-mile urban development Neom, the country has to finish 11 new soccer stadiums, expand four more, and build 132 training venues for 48 national teams before the World Cup kicks off in 2034.
To call it a big job is an understatement, and the icing on this construction cake will be the building of Neom Stadium atop Neom’s The Line. The stadium will be 350 meters above ground, on top of the tunnel of love, allowing full cruise ships to dock right into The Line. According to the plans, the soccer venue will cover part of the city and feature a seating capacity 46,000. It will be surrounded by a constellation of facilities, such as a fan festival site, training pitches, and five hotels distributed across the “cityscape.”
The construction of the Neom Stadium will begin in 2027, with completion expected by 2032. But many are questioning whether this will be possible, looking at the many problems that are putting the feasibility of The Line at risk. Initially planned to stretch 105 miles and accommodate 1.5 million residents, the plan was drastically scaled back due to lack of funding. Current plans reduce The Line to just 1.5 miles, aiming to house fewer than 300,000 residents by 2030. The cutbacks raise questions about the feasibility and practicality of the project, which is being fiercely defended by its promoters.
Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid describes a building craze that will reportedly cost “hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade.” In addition to the Neom Stadium, we will see the King Salman Stadium, another new venue perched on a 656-foot-high hill in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. With a capacity of 92,000, it will host the opening and final matches. Also, the Roshn Stadium will accommodate 46,000 spectators in Riyadh, while New Murabba Stadium will host 45,000. That is three major soccer stadiums in the same city.
The 45,000-spectator Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium – MBS is reportedly behind the World Cup 2034 bid, same as Neom – will be in the city Qiddiya, featuring a retractable pitch and roof hold. Jeddah will see the construction of four new stadiums, with additional venues planned in Al Khobar, Abha, and other cities. Renovations are also planned for existing stadiums, such as Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium and King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh. This massive effort will be the “most expensive sports construction project ever undertaken,” according to The Times of London.
Saudi Arabia is set to significantly impact the global sports stage with its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The bid includes plans for 11 new stadiums, highlighting the country’s commitment to modernising its infrastructure and enhancing its international profile. The announcement in Paris showcases the kingdom’s intent to build new stadiums across five key cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and Neom’s futuristic city: The Line.
A notable feature of the plan is the proposed stadium in The Line, a groundbreaking city designed to stretch 170 kilometres across the desert. The stadium will be located 350 meters above ground level. While most stadiums are expected to be completed by 2032, four existing stadiums will be refurbished, ensuring state-of-the-art facilities are available for the tournament.
This bid is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 development program, which includes significant tourism and infrastructure projects. The kingdom is investing heavily in sports and entertainment, aiming to position itself as a leading destination for major international events.
