Saudi Arabia has announced the commencement of the groundbreaking project for the new main stadium in Qiddiya, named after His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
The stadium is envisioned with a futuristic and innovative design, marking a new benchmark in the world of stadium architecture. reports Al-Anba daily.
The Saudi Qiddiya Investment Company, responsible for executing the project, revealed that the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium will be a world-class facility equipped with cutting-edge technologies and capabilities, making it versatile for hosting a wide range of events, including sports, entertainment, and cultural activities on a grand scale in the Kingdom.
Situated at the heart of Qiddiya, the stadium is designated as one of the venues for the 2034 World Cup. It will be strategically located just 40 minutes from the capital city, Riyadh, perched on a peak of Mount Tuwaiq, 200 meters above ground.
The unveiling of this main stadium project follows the introduction of the city’s urban plan and its international brand. The design of the stadium has been entrusted to the renowned international architecture firm Populous.
It is set to be the world’s first fully integrated venue featuring a combinable openable roof, a stadium, and a wall equipped with LED technology. This architectural innovation allows the space to transform seamlessly to accommodate various events within minutes.
Noteworthy technological features of the new stadium include advanced climate control technology, ensuring events and competitions can take place throughout the year with minimal energy consumption. The stadium will have an environmentally friendly cooling lake beneath it, utilizing rainwater collected from the stadium and its surroundings, transforming it into a cooling wall of ice. This process will cool the air entering the central air conditioning system and will adhere to LEED Gold standards for sustainable design.
Beyond the stadium project, the city of Qiddiya is envisioned as a hub for enjoyable experiences in entertainment, sports, and culture. Spanning an area of 360 square kilometers, it will feature 60,000 buildings, accommodating over 600,000 residents and creating more than 325,000 job opportunities. With an expected annual footfall of 48 million visitors, the city aims to contribute significantly to the gross domestic product, targeting around 135 billion Saudi riyals. Qiddiya is set to become a global attraction with its unique landmarks and tourist destinations.
