Images: ROSHN Group
Saudi real estate company ROSHN Group has unveiled plans for a new 45,000-seat stadium in Riyadh, a project it claims marks a “pivotal step” in its strategic transformation into a multi-asset class developer.
The project, spanning over 450,000 square metres, will be located in Southwest Riyadh and is the second major stadium development announced for the Saudi capital in the space of a week. On Sunday, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sports unveiled King Salman Stadium, a new 92,000-capacity facility that will serve as the home of the Saudi national football team.
The Populous-designed stadium will be located in the north of the city on King Salman Road next to King Abdulaziz Park. It will be named after Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King of Saudi Arabia.
ROSHN said its landmark mixed-use project will encompass a wide range of shops, restaurants, and hospitality venues. At its heart lies the main sports and event floor, connecting the various facilities with an open and cohesive design.
ROSHN Stadium aims to become an icon in Southwest Riyadh, characterised by its modern crystalline design emerging into the sky from the surrounding district inspired by the urban fabric and architectural features of Saudi Arabia’s central region.
ROSHN is owned by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and is seeking to expand into mixed-use development across a variety of sectors, including sports facilities. The company said this underscores its commitment to enhancing quality of life through sustainable real estate development in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Visitors to ROSHN Stadium will enjoy access to sports facilities such as walkways and public green spaces. Designed to meet the requirements for hosting the “most prominent international sporting events”, the stadium will also stage other entertainment, cultural, and social events.
From a sustainability perspective, its design incorporates the latest technologies for water and energy management, including solar panels integrated into the stadium’s infrastructure. The roof design aims to enhance air movement, ensuring adequate ventilation and controlled access to sunlight inside the stadium during daylight hours.
Acting CEO of ROSHN Group, Dr. Khalid Johar, said: “ROSHN Stadium embodies ROSHN’s strategic transformation as a multi-asset class developer.
“We are proud to undertake this ambitious project, which will contribute to improving the quality of life and supporting economic growth in line with Saudi Vision 2030 while providing a unique gathering place in Riyadh and enhancing the Kingdom’s attractiveness to host international events and sporting competitions.”
Concerted activity in the stadium and venue development sector comes amid a drive by the Kingdom to land hosting rights to major sporting and entertainment events. One of these is expected to be the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
In October, Saudi Arabia was left in the box seat for the football showpiece after Football Australia opted against bidding for the 2034 edition of the World Cup. The bid book was handed over on Monday by the Saudi Arabia Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s president, Yasser Al Misehal, and Hammad Albalawi, the head of the SAFF’s bidding unit.
Saudi is the only bidder for the 2034 World Cup, with FIFA due to decide on the hosts for this tournament, and the 2030 edition, later this year. Earlier this month, New Murabba Development Company, which is owned by the PIF, unveiled design concepts for a 45,000-capacity stadium.
The stadium will also be located in Riyadh and it is anticipated that the project will be completed by the end of 2032.
In January, further details emerged on Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, a new multi-purpose venue that will form part of Qiddiya, one of Saudi Arabia’s ‘giga-projects’ under its Vision 2030 masterplan.
The 45,000-seat stadium would be located in Qiddiya City on the 200-metre-high Tuwaiq cliff near the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Qiddiya said the “futuristic” venue would be capable of hosting some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest sports, entertainment and cultural events.
Meanwhile, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), last month called on Pro League football club Al Hilal to back proposed upgrades for Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena.
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