Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Investment Company has awarded a Chinese company a $700 million contract to build the Qiddiya esports arena outside Riyadh.
Construction Week said the contract was won by Beijing-based Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC).
The deal will help advance one of the centerpieces of Saudi Arabia’s push to establish itself as a global gaming hub.
The new Fortress Arena project includes an auditorium with about 5,100 seats, alongside commercial areas, hospitality facilities and associated infrastructure.
Located in Qiddiya City’s Gaming and Esports District, the arena is designed to host local and international competitions.
Completion is expected by April 2029, with architect Populous serving as architect and Thornton Tomasetti supporting the design.
Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of esports participation and interest. The National Gaming and Esports Strategy, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, aims to make the country a global hub for gaming and esports, attracting up to 10 million visitors by 2030.
A key focus of Saudi’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy is the Qiddiya Gaming and Esports District, the world’s first mixed-use gaming and esports district.
Within the Qiddiya Gaming and Esports District, the Populous-designed Qiddiya City Esports Arena stands out.
Featuring the largest total video screen area of any esports arena in the world, as well as 4D haptic seats where visitors can sense, feel, and even smell the action, the striking design creates an iconic venue capable of adapting to multiple experiences and events.
Featuring a distinctive architectural identity, the multifunctional venue will provide a best-in-class experience for players and spectators alike.
Extensive sightline studies have been carried out to optimize seating in the main auditorium for the best views, and parametric design tools have been utilized to refine screen locations, resulting in an innovative “digital chandelier” placed centrally within the seating bowl for enhanced gameplay content delivery.
The combination of screen size and 4D haptic seats, together with specifications for the most advanced AV systems available, ensures visitors will enjoy a fully immersive and ever-changing experience.
China’s MCC is already active elsewhere in Saudi Arabia’s construction pipeline. The Chinese contractor has worked on the steel structure for Qiddiya’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium.
The esports arena is advancing alongside a wider pipeline of major sports venues across Qiddiya City, including the Speed Park Track, which is planned to host Formula 1, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, a new National Tennis Centre and a 21,000-seat horse racing venue that will become the permanent home of the Saudi Cup.
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