FIFA World Cup 2034 Saudi Arabia: Complete Guide to Stadiums, Cities & Preparations
Complete guide to FIFA World Cup 2034 in Saudi Arabia: 15 stadiums in 5 cities, King Salman Stadium 92,000 capacity, NEOM sky stadium 350m high, 100 billion SAR investment.
On December 11, 2024, Saudi Arabia etched its name in golden letters in football history when FIFA officially announced the Kingdom as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Saudi Arabia becomes the first country in history to solely host a 48-team tournament.
The Saudi bid received the highest technical evaluation score in FIFA history: 419.8 out of 500, surpassing all previous bids, reflecting the Kingdom's exceptional readiness and ambitious vision to deliver a historic edition of the world's biggest sporting event.
π‘ Historic Numbers for Saudi World Cup:
- 15 stadiums in 5 cities (11 new + 4 renovated)
- 48 teams for the first time in one country
- 770,000+ total seating capacity
- 230,000 hotel rooms
- 100 billion SAR investment
- 5+ million expected visitors
The Five Host Cities
1. Riyadh - The Capital (8 Stadiums)
The Saudi capital will be the beating heart of the World Cup, hosting the opening and final matches at the new King Salman Stadium. Riyadh combines the heritage of historic Masmak Fort with the modernity of King Abdullah Towers.
Riyadh Stadiums:
β’ King Salman International Stadium (92,000 spectators)
β’ Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium - Qiddiya (46,000)
β’ King Fahd Sports City Stadium (70,000+)
β’ King Saud University Stadium (46,000)
β’ New Murabba Stadium (45,000)
β’ Roshn Stadium (45,000)
β’ South Riyadh Stadium (47,000)
β’ Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium (46,000)
Riyadh is expected to have over 127,000 hotel rooms by 2034, including 51,000 five-star units.
2. Jeddah - Bride of the Red Sea (4 Stadiums)
The coastal city hosting the oldest port on the Red Sea combines the charm of historic Al-Balad (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with its modern 30-kilometer Corniche.
Jeddah Stadiums:
β’ King Abdullah Sports City "The Radiant Jewel" (58,432)
β’ Downtown Jeddah Stadium (45,000) - Al-Balad inspired design
β’ King Abdullah Economic City Stadium (45,000) - Coral reef design
β’ Qiddiya Coast Stadium (45,000)
3. NEOM - City of the Future (1 Stadium)
NEOM embodies Saudi Vision 2030, a futuristic city that will amaze the world with its stadium suspended 350 meters high within the iconic "The Line" structure. The stadium holds 46,000 spectators and runs entirely on solar and wind power.
4. Al Khobar - Gateway to the East (1 Stadium)
An elegant coastal city on the Arabian Gulf, known for its charming Corniche and proximity to Bahrain via King Fahd Causeway. Aramco Stadium holds 45,000 spectators with a water vortex-inspired design, retractable roof, and advanced cooling system.
5. Abha - Switzerland of the East (1 Stadium)
Capital of Asir region at 2,200 meters elevation, enjoying mild summer weather and stunning natural landscapes. King Khalid University Stadium holds over 45,000 spectators and will host group stage, round of 32, and round of 16 matches.
Iconic Stadiums
King Salman International Stadium - Heart of the World Cup
The main World Cup stadium and Saudi national team home, inspired by mountainous terrain, will host the opening and final matches to become the world's focal point.
π King Salman Stadium Specifications:
- Capacity: 92,000 spectators (largest in Saudi Arabia)
- Area: 660,000 square meters
- Location: North Riyadh on King Salman Road
- Design: Inspired by "Geological Land"
- Green areas: 96,500 square meters
- Opening: Q4 2029
Facilities & Services:
β’ Royal box (150 seats) and 120 hospitality suites
β’ 300 VIP seats and 2,200 important persons seats
β’ Two training pitches and Olympic pool
β’ Athletics track and indoor sports hall
β’ 9-kilometer walking track around the stadium
β’ Commercial and entertainment centers with indoor gardens
Sustainability: Sustainable cooling systems for spectator seats and pitch, green walls and roofs, design meeting green building and environmental sustainability requirements.
NEOM Stadium - The Sky Stadium
The world's most distinctive stadium! Rising 350 meters within "The Line" city structure, offering an unprecedented experience in football history.
π NEOM Stadium Specifications:
- Capacity: 46,000 spectators
- Elevation: Over 350 meters above ground
- Power: 100% solar and wind
- Access: Self-driving vehicles + high-speed elevators
- Construction start: 2027
- Opening: 2032
Unique Features:
β’ Roof extending from "The Line" city ceiling
β’ LED panels covering exterior facades
β’ Stunning Red Sea views
β’ Advanced horizontal transport system
β’ Hosts matches up to quarter-finals
Post-World Cup: Professional club stadium, sports and lifestyle center, and global tourist landmark.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium - Tuwaiq Masterpiece
A globally unique stadium on Tuwaiq cliff edge at 200 meters elevation, offering panoramic views of the city and desert.
π Qiddiya Stadium Specifications:
- Capacity: 46,000 spectators
- Location: 40 minutes from Riyadh
- Cost: ~4 billion SAR
- Opening: 2029
- LED Screen: 50 Γ 130 meters
World's First Stadium With:
β’ Retractable pitch, roof, and LED wall
β’ Rainwater-based cooling system
β’ Three stands with open side for panoramic views
β’ Convertible to concert and event venue
Contractor: FCC Spain and Nesma Saudi Arabia alliance.
Investment and Costs
π° Financial Numbers:
- Total investment: 100 billion SAR (~$27 billion)
- Stadium costs: ~15 billion SAR (1 billion per stadium)
- Training centers: 1.3 billion SAR (132 centers)
- Expected revenue: $25-30 billion
- Expected visitors: 5+ million
- Consumer spending: $10 billion
Comparison with Previous World Cups:
β’ Qatar 2022: $220 billion
β’ Russia 2018: $11 billion
β’ Brazil 2014: $15 billion
β’ Saudi Arabia 2034: ~$4-10 billion (lower due to existing infrastructure)
Accommodation
Hotel Room Distribution (230,000 rooms):
β’ Riyadh: 127,000 rooms (51,000 five-star)
β’ Jeddah: 30,000+ rooms
β’ Other cities: 73,000+ rooms
FIFA Requirements: 15,000+ rooms for federation groups, equally distributed among 5, 4, and 3-star categories.
Tournament Timing
Due to summer heat and Ramadan coinciding with November-December 2034 (November 11 to December 10), the tournament is expected in January 2035.
π Expected Tournament Dates:
- Period: December 16, 2034 - February 2035
- Duration: One month (104 matches)
- Weather: Ideal 15-25Β°C
- Precedent: Like Qatar 2022 (November-December)
Fan Zones
FIFA Fan Festival Locations:
β’ King Salman Park, Riyadh (world's largest urban park)
β’ Qiddiya Plaza (80,000 fans)
β’ Khuzama Park, Jeddah (15,000 fans)
β’ Seas Plaza and Fog Park, Abha
β’ Marina, NEOM (40,000 fans)
β’ Marina Steps Amphitheater, NEOM (40,000 fans)
Transportation
International Airports:
β’ King Khalid International (Riyadh)
β’ King Abdulaziz International (Jeddah)
β’ King Fahd International (Dammam)
β’ Abha International (expansion for 10 million passengers)
β’ NEOM International (under construction)
Rail Network:
β’ Riyadh Metro (6 modern lines)
β’ Haramain High-Speed Railway (Riyadh-Jeddah-Makkah-Madinah at 450 km/h)
β’ SAR Railway (Northern Kingdom)
Ground Transport: Highway network connecting all cities, Uber and Careem services, dedicated World Cup buses.
Ten Supporting Cities
In addition to the five host cities, 10 cities will host training camps for the 48 teams:
Makkah β’ Madinah β’ Dammam β’ Taif β’ Tabuk β’ Hail β’ Qassim β’ Baha β’ Najran β’ Al-Ahsa
132 training centers in 15 cities, including 72 training grounds and two referee centers.
Sustainability
Saudi Arabia commits to the highest sustainability standards:
β’ NEOM Stadium: Runs entirely on solar and wind power
β’ King Salman Stadium: 96,500 mΒ² green areas
β’ Energy-efficient cooling systems
β’ Smart water management
β’ Eco-friendly building materials
β’ Electric and autonomous vehicles
Vision 2030 and Sports
Major Sporting Events:
β
Formula 1 (annually - ongoing)
β
FIFA Club World Cup 2023 (completed)
π AFC Asian Cup 2027
π Asian Winter Games 2029
π Riyadh Expo 2030
π FIFA World Cup 2034 (main goal)
Sports Sector Growth:
β’ 2016: 2.4 billion SAR
β’ 2019: 6.5 billion SAR
β’ 2023: 21.6 billion SAR
β’ 2024: ~30 billion SAR
β’ 2030: 82.5 billion SAR (target)
Supreme Committee for World Cup Hosting
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman established and chairs the Supreme Committee to ensure an exceptional tournament edition.
Responsibilities:
β’ Planning and implementation oversight
β’ Coordination with relevant authorities and FIFA
β’ Ensuring project sustainability and maximizing impact
β’ Promoting the Kingdom as a global sports destination
What Does the World Cup Mean for Saudi Arabia?
Economic Benefits:
β’ Diversifying income away from oil
β’ Attracting massive foreign investment
β’ Stimulating tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors
β’ Creating hundreds of thousands of jobs
Social Benefits:
β’ Strengthening national identity
β’ Showcasing Saudi culture globally
β’ Empowering and engaging youth
β’ Building a globally competitive sports generation
Sustainable Legacy:
β’ World-class stadiums for future generations
β’ Advanced infrastructure
β’ International organizational expertise
β’ Established sports status
Conclusion
The 2034 FIFA World Cup is not just a sports tournament; it is the crowning achievement of Saudi Arabia's historic transformation journey. From the massive 92,000-seat King Salman Stadium to NEOM's sky stadium suspended 350 meters high, from Tuwaiq Mountain peaks to Red Sea shores, Saudi Arabia will present the world with an exceptional edition of the greatest sporting event on earth.
πΈπ¦ Growing Together - Saudi 2034 Bid Slogan