Featured image credit: New Murabba Development Company
New Murabba Development Company, which is owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has unveiled design concepts for a 45,000-capacity stadium.
The stadium will be located in the Saudi capital of Riyadh and it is anticipated that the project will be completed by the end of 2032.
New Murabba said the stadium’s design is inspired by the “layered overlapping planes and peeling planar texture” of the native Acacia tree. The company said the venue would feature “cutting-edge” sporting technology and serve as a community hub, with illuminated entry points for shaded spaces for gathering and socialising.
Renderings show the New Murabba Stadium in football mode and it could be used during the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be awarded to Saudi Arabia after Football Australia opted against a bid.
Michael Dyke, chief executive of New Murabba Development Company, said: “The New Murabba Stadium embodies our commitment to transforming Riyadh into a global destination for sports and entertainment. The stadium will not only be a world-class venue for sporting events but also a vibrant community hub that enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”
Last month, the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) organisation announced that it was filing two formal complaints with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) against Saudi Arabia over the alleged use of forced labour among migrant workers.
The BWI’s complaints refer to “severe human rights abuses” and wage theft involving at least 21,000 construction workers by various Saudi construction companies, but mainly two that are now bankrupt.
Saudi Arabia already has four large stadiums under construction or being upgraded ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup, which it is hosting.
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