Aramco Stadium work progresses full brio

Article posted by Coliseum, December 11^th, 2024

Image: BESIX and Kahled AlOjyan on LinkedIn

The Aramco Stadium in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, project is making significant strides as it prepares to become a centerpiece of international sports events.

A ‘LinkedIn Post By Khaled AlOjyan, Senior Architect’ stated that “Scheduled to be one of the air-conditioned stadiums for both the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2034 World Cup, the stadium will be built by a strategic alliance between Belgium’s BESIX and Saudi Arabia’s Company. With a planned capacity of 47,000 spectators, the stadium represents a major leap forward in sports infrastructure for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

The Aramco Stadium will be a multipurpose stadium located in the North of Khobar, Saudi Arabia. One of the 2034 FIFA World Cup™ stadiums, the venue will have a capacity of 47,000. It will also be used for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

The 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, the quadrennial international men’s football championship of Asia organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament involves 24 national teams after the expansion in 2019. It will be held in Saudi Arabia from January 15^th-February 8^th, 2027.

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)-based the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of association football, beach soccer and futsal in most countries and territories in Asia. The AFC was formed in 1954. It has 47 members.

Image: Aramco and Ministry of Sport

The 2034 FIFA World Cup™ will be the 25th FIFA World Cup™, a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men’s national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It is set to be hosted in Saudi Arabia as it was the only country to submit a bid in time for FIFA’s deadline of October 31^st, 2023.

Brussels (Belgium)-based the BESIX Group has over the years grown into a multidisciplinary company with a leading position in its markets: Construction, property development and concessions. This wide-range expertise enables them to handle every aspect of a project, from financing over designing and building to operating and maintaining.

The ‘LinkedIn Post By Khaled AlOjyan, Senior Architect’ further stated that “The ambitious construction endeavor has officially commenced with the goal of completing the stadium by 2026 well ahead of its debut for the 2027 Asian Football Confederation Cup. This timeline reflects the project’s complexity and the commitment of its partners. The joint venture is backed by Aramco which is leveraging its extensive experience in project management to ensure timely delivery and high standards.”

Saudi Aramco, officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Company or simply Aramco (formerly Arabian-American Oil Company), is a majority State-owned petroleum and natural gas company that is the national oil company of Saudi Arabia. As of 2024, it is the fourth-largest company in the world by revenue and is headquartered in Dhahran.

“Designed to cater to a diverse range of events and activities, the Aramco Stadium aims to be more than just a venue for sports. It is set to include state-of-the-art facilities such as general admission areas, VIP and VVIP hospitality suites, player accommodations, media zones, and training pitches. The additional features will include extensive parking, an energy center for power and cooling and comprehensive road and landscape developments. This multifaceted approach is intended to make the stadium a hub of community engagement and entertainment.”

“BESIX, renowned for its expertise in stadium construction, brings a wealth of experience to the project. The company’s portfolio includes the 62,241-capacity King Abdullah International Stadium in Jeddah, the 44,325-capacity Al Janoub Stadium and the 45,857-capacity Khalifa International Stadium renovations in Qatar, the 25,000-capacity Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Australia, and the 36,000-capacity One New Zealand Stadium, currently under construction. Their proven track record in delivering world-class sports facilities positions them well to contribute to the success of the Aramco Stadium.”

“As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in its sports infrastructure, the Aramco Stadium stands as a testament to the country’s ambition to elevate its global sports presence and foster a vibrant sports culture.”

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 380 member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue