The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia promises to be the most important sporting event of the ‘new World Cup century’. With 209 votes out of a possible 211, the Arab country’s bid was the highest rated in history, behind only South Korea and Japan’s World Cup in 2002.
#WelcomeToSaudi34 💚
We promise all fans to deliver a FIFA World Cup ™️ like no other 🏆 pic.twitter.com/d3M8xX1RDF
With a final score of 4.8 out of 5, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated that it has more than enough capacity to host the sporting event that attracts the most spectators (three million people will attend the stadiums), produces the largest audience (with more than 5 billion views), and generates the most indirect revenue in the short and long term.
In terms of the risk assessment analysed by FIFA, the Arab giant has achieved the best scores in facilities for referees and teams; stadium locations; fan zone locations; commercial aspects; government support; human rights compliance; transport, security, health, and medical services; sustainable management of sporting events; and environmental protection.
However, the highest vote went to the projects submitted for stadiums. In the first instalment of the most futuristic stadiums for the 2034 World Cup, we presented the stadiums located in the Arab country’s capital, Riyadh. In this second edition, we will look at stadiums located in the city of Jeddah, the country’s second hub; in Neom, the futuristic city on the country’s west coast; in Al Jobar; and Abha, the scenic capital of the Saudi country.
Considered by many as ‘the city of Saudi sport,’ Jeddah is home to the country’s most important sporting events, with the Formula 1 Jeddah International Circuit as the flagship event.
For the bid, the city has submitted four stadiums.
The first of these is the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. The venue will host the quarter-final matches. Built in 2014, it currently hosts the home matches of two popular Saudi Pro-League teams: Al Ahli, where stars such as Gabri Veiga play, and Al Ittihad, where 2022 Golden Ball winner Karim Benzema and France’s Russia 2018 World Cup winner N’golo Kanté play.
After successfully hosting the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, the stadium will be used for the 2027 Asian Football Championship (AFC). From 2030, it will undergo a refurbishment with a view to meeting the requirements to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Its capacity of 58,432 exceeds the minimum requirement of 40,000 to host quarter-final matches.
The Qiddiya Coast Stadium will host matches up to the Round of 16. The futuristic venue will be located north of Jeddah on the Red Sea coast and is expected to take three years to complete with construction scheduled for completion in 2032. The gross capacity is expected to be 46,096 spectators. After the 2034 FIFA World Cup, this capacity would be reduced, and the retractable turf would allow for a multi-purpose entertainment venue at the heart of the Qiddiya Coast project.
The Jeddah Central Project stadium will host matches up to the round of 16. The venue is being built as part of a sports park as part of the Central Jeddah Project in southwest Jeddah. The planned capacity is 45,794 spectators. In terms of legacy, the new stadium will become a multi-purpose venue and will host the home matches of two Saudi Pro-League teams.
The King Abdullah Economic City Stadium will host group stage and round of 16 matches. The state-of-the-art venue will be located north of Jeddah on the Red Sea coast, next to the King Abdullah Sports City stadium. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed in 2032. The planned capacity of the stadium is 45,700 spectators.
Neom is synonymous with the avant-garde. With the most important project in the country’s history, The Line, the city promises to be the first city of the future and the basis for sustainable architecture. Following the announcement that the Saudi kingdom will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the Saudi authorities presented the new city plans, which will include the NEOM stadium.
The stadium is set to host the quarter-final matches of the tournament. This state-of-the-art venue will be built in a sports district as part of the first phase of THE LINE, a futuristic city stretching from the Red Sea and based on the use of renewable energy and sustainable means of transport.
The new stadium will be a central element of the entire project and will be located on the top floor. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed in 2032. The planned gross capacity is 46,010 spectators.
Abha is the scenic capital of the country. Located in the Aseer region in the vicinity of the Sarawat Mountains, the King Khalid University Stadium will host the Round of 16 matches of the 2034 World Cup. The stadium is located on the university campus and will have a capacity of 45,428 spectators. As with other stadiums, the final capacity of King Khalid Field will be 38,000 and can be used for all kinds of leisure events.
Finally, there is the venue in Al Jobar, a Saudi city on the east coast of the country. In addition to the stadium, the city will have one of the most modern ports in the world: the King Abdulaziz Port.
The Aramco Stadium will host part of the matches up to the round of 16. The venue is currently under construction as part of a sports and leisure project and will be used during the 2027 AFC. The planned gross capacity is 46,096 spectators.
Para líderes mediterráneos y atlánticos, quiere ser el puente de comunicación, información y entendimiento entre culturas.
Dirección: Calle Claudio Coello, 10. 28001 Madrid. España
Teléfono: +34 91 219 63 84
Email: [email protected]
