Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia
Built on top of a 200-metre cliff, the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. Bringing together the very latest advancements in live sports and entertainment technology, Populous is turning a futuristic dream into tangible reality and creating a venue unlike any other on earth.
Perched on top of the breathtaking 200-meter-high Tuwaiq cliff looking down over Qiddiya City, this futuristic venue is set to completely revolutionize the traditional stadium experience with its jaw-dropping immersive environments and unmatched technological advancements.
The stadium will be the world’s first fully integrated venue with a combined retractable roof, pitch and LED wall — an architectural innovation offering unparalleled versatility. The space will transform into different ‘event modes’ in a matter of hours, while the LED wall will be a portal to live event broadcasts, high-definition films and laser shows. When it isn’t activated, it will open to reveal breathtaking views of Qiddiya City below.
Guests will be able to enjoy multiple spectacles in a single day, including football, boxing, esports, concerts and theater performances. State-of-the-art technology like HoloBox will create opportunities for virtual interactions between fans and celebrities, while live event data will be streamed instantly to everyone in the stadium.
As a central venue in an urban entertainment district, this uniquely versatile space promises an extended play experience with direct and convenient access to Qiddiya City’s vibrant Gaming & Esport District, as well as other city entertainment options. Integrated into the city fabric through a variety of transportation choices including park ’n ride and drop-off zones, the stadium is also within direct proximity to 50,000 square meters of shopping, dining and entertainment spaces as well as luxury hotel options.
“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.”
The 45,000-seat multifunctional stadium is fully compliant with FIFA requirements for club and international competition. Once open, it will serve as the home ground of Saudi Pro League football clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr and is one of the proposed venues for the Kingdom’s 2034 FIFA World Cup bid. It is also poised to host some of the region’s biggest sports events, including the Saudi King Cup, the Asian Cup and possibly the 2034 Asian Games.
There will be an estimated 7.6 million annual visits to the stadium, which will be able to host events all year-round in its climate-controlled facilities, where energy consumption will be reduced through an eco-friendly cooling lake built directly under the stadium. The lake will use rainwater captured from the stadium and the surrounding area to pre-cool the air conditioning system.