In the last few years, many sports facilities of various types—stadiums, circuits, arenas, and even sports cities—have been built in Arab countries, with many more planned for the near future. Among the upcoming projects, the Royal Commission for Riyadh and the Saudi Ministry of Sports recently unveiled the King Salman Stadium, dedicated to the current King of Saudi Arabia. The stadium's master plan was designed by the Kansas City-based studio Populous.
The King Salman Stadium, slated for completion by the end of 2029, is set to become Saudi Arabia’s largest-capacity stadium and one of the world’s largest sports venues. The new facility will primarily host matches of the Saudi Arabian national football team, nicknamed "Arabian Falcons." Currently ranked 59th in the FIFA rankings, the team is coached by Frenchman Hervé Renard, who resumed his role as head coach after his 2019–2023 tenure, which included the team's participation in the 2022 World Cup in neighboring Qatar.
This decision followed a brief and unsuccessful period under Roberto Mancini in 2023–2024. Mancini, who surprisingly left his role as Italy’s head coach after winning the UEFA Euro 2020, parted ways with the Saudi Football Federation due to contractual disagreements.
The King Salman Stadium will not only serve as home for the "Arabian Falcons", but will also host other major national and international entertainment events. Located in northern Riyadh along King Salman Road, the stadium will be adjacent to King Abdulaziz Park, connected via a 9 km track for sports activities. The project also includes sports facilities, commercial areas, and recreational structures.
With a seating capacity of 92,000, the stadium features a royal box, exclusive suites, skyboxes, lounges, 300 VVIP seats, and 2,220 VIP seats. The remaining spectators will be seated in a continuous ring of skyboxes encircling the stadium. The access areas are designed to accommodate large crowds, providing an inclusive, barrier-free experience for all.
I posti a sedere dello stadio King Salman sono stati pensati per essere il più compatti possibile, in modo da offrire un’ottima esperienza visiva agli spettatori e un'atmosfera più intima. La tribuna è stata progettata per soddisfare i più recenti ed esigenti requisiti del calcio internazionale.
Nel progetto è prevista inoltre la costruzione di aree commerciali, campi da calcio per l’allenamento, zone per i tifosi, un centro acquatico con piscina olimpionica e uno stadio di atletica. Ci sarà spazio anche per gli sport indoor con la realizzazione di un palazzo dello sport e un parco sportivo destinato a pallavolo, pallacanestro, padel e altro.
The stadium’s exterior shell, comprising green walls and roofs, seamlessly integrates the structure with the surrounding natural environment. Its design draws inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s breathtaking landscapes, evoking the metaphor of a sprouding seed, breaking through the soil, and rising, symbolizing the nation’s growing passion for sports—from grassroots to excellence.
By blending architectural innovation with community-oriented design, the King Salman Stadium is set to become an iconic venue for both national and international events. It will serve as a symbol of Saudi Arabia and the entire Middle East.
The design emphasizes flexibility, allowing seamless transitions between sports and non-sports events while enabling year-round operations. While the stadium is the project's centerpiece, the entire complex will serve the local community—athletes, fans, and citizens alike—turning Riyadh into a hub of social and sports activities.
With its vast financial resources, Saudi Arabia is expected to increasingly host major international events in the coming years.
>>> Discover Populous' design for the Aramco Stadium in Saudi Arabia
Location: Riyad, Saudi Arabia
Status: Ongoing
Architect: Populous
All images courtesy of Populous