Qiddiya pièce de résistance stadium launch

Article posted by Coliseum, January 16^th, 2024

Image: Qiddiya

The Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) announced on January 15^th the launch of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Saudi Arabia, an iconic multiuse venue set to further enhance Qiddiya’s philosophy of the ‘Power of Play’.

‘Qiddiya’ stated that Qiddiya has announced the launch of a futuristic new stadium with a retractable roof and a giant light- emitting diode (LED) wall.

Qiddiya is a planned entertainment, sports and cultural destination in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is part of the Saudi Vision 2030 program which aims to diversify the Saudi economy. Construction began in 2019.

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Image: Qiddiya

Qiddiya will include a theme park that’s 2.5 times the size of Disney World, the world’s tallest coaster, an F1 track and a gaming and esports district. The Gaming and Esports District will cover more than 500,000 square meters, including 100,000 square meters of retail, dining and entertainment venues. Qiddiya will also include festival grounds for concerts, shows and festivals for domestic and international musicians.

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)-based the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) is a real estate development company that develops Qiddiya City. Qiddiya City is a hub for entertainment, sports, arts, and residential, located a few kilometers from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital.

The stadium will be a major attraction in the upcoming mega development and could welcome more than 7.6m visitors per year and be used in the 2034 FIFA World Cup™.

The Saudi Vision 2030 is a Government program launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that aims to achieve the goal of increased diversification economically, socially and culturally, in line with the vision of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

Image: Qiddiya

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 nation to submit a bid in time for FIFA’s deadline of October 31^st, 2023.

‘Qiddiya’ further stated that upon opening, it is anticipated to host some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest sports, entertainment and cultural events.

Located in Qiddiya City atop the breathtaking 200m-high Tuwaiq Cliff and just 40 minutes from Riyadh, this futuristic venue is anticipated to become a must-visit destination.

It aims to draw visitors from across the globe and revolutionize the traditional stadium experience with its immersive design and unique technological features, putting spectators at the center of the show, says Qiddiya.

Noted Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, “Our ambition is for Qiddiya City to become a global destination for entertainment, sports and culture and this iconic new stadium will be at its very heart. The futuristic venue aims to reinvent the traditional stadium concept and embody the true spirit of Qiddiya’s ‘Power of Play’ philosophy. It uses state-of-the-art technology and innovative, world-leading design to put the spectator at the center of the experience. It will become a bucket-list destination for fans and enthusiasts across the world, hosting major events from across the world of sport and entertainment.”

Image: Qiddiya

Designed by the leading global architectural firm Populous, the stadium is set to be the world’s first fully integrated venue with a combined retractable roof, pitch and LED wall – an architectural innovation offering unparalleled versatility and allowing the space to transform into different “event modes” in a matter of hours.

The LED wall will be a portal to live event broadcasts, high-definition films and laser shows, offering guests a novel, immersive experience with each visit.

When not activated, it will open to reveal breathtaking views of the Qiddiya City.

Guests will be able to enjoy multiple spectacles in a single day, including football, boxing, esports, concerts, and theater performances to name a few.

The stadium will employ cutting-edge technology to provide fans with instant access to live data and information including the use of state-of-the-art holographic technology, enabling virtual interactions with the celebrities and stars.

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 and 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 sqm of shopping, dining and entertainment spaces as well as hotel options.

Image: Qiddiya

Once open, the 45-000 seat multi-functional stadium will serve as the home ground of the Saudi Pro League (the highest division of association football in the Saudi league system) 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.

The venue 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 capture from the stadium and the surrounding area to pre-cool the air conditioning system.

There will be an estimated 7.6m annual visits to the stadium, playing a key role in Vision 2030’s targets for a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation – driving tourism and creating jobs.

The announcement follows the Crown Prince’s recent unveiling of the transformation of Qiddiya and vision for Qiddiya City to become a global destination for entertainment, sports and culture focused on Qiddiya’s ‘Power of Play’ philosophy.

The play concept leverages decades of research showing that play is vital for human cognitive development, emotional expression, social skills, creativity, and physical health.

Studies have demonstrated the positive effects of recreational activities on the society, their ability to bridge differences between individuals and enhance the levels of empathy and social cohesion.

The unveiling of the stadium follows the launch of Qiddiya City’s world’s first multiuse Gaming and Esports District. More announcements are due in the coming weeks.

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