Aramco has recently revealed the Populous designs for the Aramco Stadium, a 47,000-seat venue for the world’s premier football competitions. The stadium, which meets international standards and best practices, is scheduled to host games in the upcoming 2027 AFC Asian Cup and will be fully compliant with FIFA’s stadium requirements. This also means that it would qualify to host World Cup matches up to the quarter-final stage.
“In terms of scale and facility offerings, this project is one of the most ambitious of its kind globally, underpinning Saudi Arabia’s ambition to make Al Khobar one of the world’s premier sporting destinations,” stated Rhys Courtney, Populous senior principal and lead architect for the project.
Stadium to potentially host the 2034 World Cup
The Aramco Stadium is one of several Populous-designed venues included in the official list of potential venues for the 2034 World Cup, as published in the Saudi Arabia bid book on July 31.
The stadium and surrounding masterplan span over an area of around 800,000 square meters. Alongside the stadium, the masterplan will include a comprehensive range of community amenities and facilities including new sports facilities, retail areas, entertainment zones, and public realm spaces.
In addition, the Aramco Stadium aims to achieve LEED certification for sustainability and will meet international inclusive design best practices to enable visitors to use and enjoy the venue on equal terms.
55,000-seat maximum capacity
The Aramco Stadium’s design draws inspiration from Al Khobar’s location on the shores of the Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. The building’s spiral form minimizes the venue’s footprint and optimizes natural ventilation.
“The venue’s stunning setting on the shores of the Arabian Gulf has allowed us to develop a distinctive building form that is instantly and uniquely recognizable,” stated Shireen Hamdan, senior principal and general manager of Populous KSA.
In addition, the seating bowl will provide world-class viewing for football, with a compact configuration and a full view of the pitch from every seat. The Aramco Stadium will have a 47,000 gross capacity, with a maximum capacity of 55,000 for concerts and other types of entertainment events. Besides, a cooling system will enhance comfort for players and spectators in the seating bowl and in select concourse areas.
Read: Saudi Arabia confident in 2034 World Cup bid, featuring rising football stars
Digital sports and e-gaming hubs
The Aramco Stadium aims to transform Al Khobar into a vibrant, year-round destination with a focus on inclusivity and community engagement. It will include a diverse range of retail and entertainment zones, as well as public spaces for social interaction.
“The design will become iconic in the football world and will be synonymous with Saudi Arabia’s vision to further develop Al Khobar into a global sports destination, attracting visitors from around the world,” added Hamdan.
Innovative features like digital sports and e-gaming hubs also aim to attract new businesses and residents, creating a self-perpetuating ecosystem. Additionally, a sports training center with two football pitches will support athlete training, competition, and recovery.
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