Olympic-style stadium planned for Riyadh

Image: Qiddiya Investment Company

Saudi Arabia has begun the procurement process for an estimated $1.8 billion contract to develop an Olympic-sized stadium project in Riyadh.

MEED said that Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has received expressions of interest from contractors to build what is being described as a National Athletics Stadium.

The new venue, with a capacity for approximately 47,000 spectators, will serve as a key site for the country’s ambitious expansion in sports infrastructure leading up to hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The stadium will be delivered via a public-private partnership (PPP), with interested contractors invited to submit bids under a design, build, finance, operate, and maintain model.

Contractors will be sought for: Large-scale earthworks, foundations, and superstructures; Advanced MEP for climate control and digital systems; Specialist façade and roof engineering (cooling and shading); Fit-out and crowd management systems; Renewable energy integration and ongoing facility maintenance; Digital twin-enabled project management.

The multipurpose stadium will cover an area of approximately 182,000 square metres and is being benchmarked against the design of the London Olympic Stadium.

The stadium will be located within the Qiddiya Sports Park cluster and is expected to be completed by 2030.

The Qiddiya entertainment city project is one of Saudi Arabia’s five official gigaprojects, covering 360 square kilometres. The project is a key part of Riyadh’s strategy to boost leisure tourism in the kingdom.

Saudi Vision 2030’s strategic focus is on building world-class stadiums that serve sporting, entertainment, and cultural events while promoting sustainable building and long-term value.

HOK is the project’s lead design consultant and is being supported by Canadian engineering firm WSP and Germany’s Schlaich Bergermann Partner. UK-headquartered WT Partnership is serving as the project’s cost consultant.

The stadium will feature climate-adaptive architecture, advanced cooling systems, and extensive digital displays, incorporating sustainable building techniques to manage temperatures and energy efficiently in the desert climate.

The venue is designed to be multi-functional: transforming from football matches to concerts, laser shows, and community events.

It will have a ventilated roof and façade for passive cooling, LED-based screens inside and outside to support immersive events and will have a flexible infrastructure for future upgrades.

Saudi Arabia’s push for mega stadiums is part of a broader infrastructure development programme, aiming to attract 150 million annual visitors and boost the country’s global sports image.

The Kingdom’s government and sovereign wealth fund have earmarked billions for upgrading the sports sector, promoting physical activity, and creating new market analysis opportunities for investors and contractors alike.

In December 2020, Saudi Arabia was selected to host the 2034 Asian Games. The 22^nd edition of the event will be held in Riyadh from 29 November to 14 December 2034.

Saudi Arabia is also set to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029. In October 2022, the Trojena development at Neom, in the northwest of the country, was selected to host the ninth edition of the event.

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