The 2034 FIFA World Cup promises to be a spectacle, and one way to ensure that is by hosting the event at a world-class stadium in Neom. The first phase of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2.7 km Neom project will be completed before the event. This exceptional stadium will be perched 1,150 feet above the ground, atop The Line mega city—the highlight of Neom. It will even be higher than the Eiffel Tower, the tallest structure in Paris. Undoubtedly, MBS is a visionary who knows how to break barriers and deliver the unimaginable.
The stadium, which is part of Saudi Arabia’s official bid submission to FIFA for the 2034 World Cup, will be no different. As dazzling as the other megaprojects of Neom, the 46,000-seat stadium will host games at the tournament, including a quarterfinal.”Neom Stadium will be the most unique stadium in the world,” the official bid submission states. “With a pitch situated more than 350 meters above ground, stunning vistas, and a roof created from the city itself, the stadium will be an experience like no other.” Dezeen mentioned that the stadium will be part of the first phase, occupying a section known as the Hidden Marina.
As the name suggests, one can expect ample space for superyachts to make their way through, a large arch for them to pass without hassle, and numerous supporting facilities such as a festival site for fans to assemble and celebrate, training pitches, and five hotels. MBS has had his sights on the event for quite some time, aiming to show arch-rival Qatar who rules the roost of outlandish and outstanding creations. Qatar made headlines with its mammoth air-conditioned stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which boasted 40,000 seats—already making it slightly smaller than MBS’s stadium.
The stadium built atop the futuristic mega-city, The Line, will occupy levels four and five, with a seating capacity of over 46,000, including 4,000 hospitality seats, 1,200 skybox seats, 100 VVIP seats, and 800 VIP seats. In addition to enjoying the games in a surreal setting, the uninterrupted views of the Red Sea will make it an unforgettable experience afforded only by the spectacular Saudi Arabia and its crown prince. The sustainable stadium will use renewable energy harnessed from wind and solar power, linking its different sections with a network of tram-like vehicles zipping to and fro through horizontal transport corridors.
For those familiar with the concept of Neom, it will be a car-free development. Visitors will hop onto driverless vehicles and fully electric high-speed lifts to get around. The project will commence in 2027, with completion aimed for 2032.
MBS is also building another 45,000-seat stadium perched on a 200-meter cliff for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Qiddiya. The Neom Stadium will be one of 11 such incredible venues built for the tournament.
