The King Salman Stadium will be built in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and will be one of more than a dozen to host matches of the 2034 World Cup. The impressive structure is a design by architects from Populous.
Construction of the stadium is expected to be completed as early as 2029. The King Salman Stadium will become the main stadium for the Saudi Arabian national team and the largest venue of the World Cup. The stadium will be built in the northern part of the city and will be part of a sports and leisure complex.
In designing the building, the architects were inspired by the landscape of Saudi Arabia. The stadium itself is meant to resemble a seed that sprouts, bursts and emerges as a dynamic structure. Illuminated at night, it resembles a volcano from which lava spills out, penetrating into a vibrant green park. Here, the architects have designed numerous pedestrian avenues criss-crossed by water channels. Greenery and water are to become the greatest asset of the stadium’s surroundings.
The facility will accommodate 92,000 people. In addition, there will be a 150 square metre royal box. There will be 2,200 seats for VIPs. The facility will have internal gardens and a walking path on the roof from which the park around the stadium can be viewed.
Ultimately, the entire complex is to consist of retail and service buildings, football training pitches, fan zones, an aquatic sports centre with an Olympic swimming pool and an athletics stadium. A sports hall for volleyball and basketball will also be built.
In July 2024 in Paris, FIFA announced that the official World Cup 2034 slogan is ‘Growing Together’. Saudi Arabia will prepare 15 stadiums for the championship. Most are brand new facilities. The King Salman Stadium is expected to become the country’s showcase and a venue that will allow the country to host sporting events of international stature.
source: Populous
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