The US architectural firm Populous created the King Salman Stadium masterplan, which was launched by the Ministry of Sports and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
The stadium project, which will be situated next to King Abdulaziz Park on King Salman Road in northern Riyadh, will feature a range of sports facilities, business spaces, and leisure amenities.
The King Salman Stadium is expected to grow into one of the biggest sports arenas in the world thanks to its gross seating capacity of over 92,000 and important facilities including a Royal Box, hospitality skyboxes and lounges, 300 VVIP seats, and 2,200 VIP seats.
Internal screens, gardens, and a rooftop walking path with expansive views of King Abdulaziz Park will all be features of the event.
According to a statement from Populous, the design was inspired by the captivating natural nature of Saudi Arabia. Each venue in the masterplan is evocative of a seed that sprouts, splits the ground, and emerges as a dynamic yet seemingly organic intervention.
According to the statement, the sowing of these “seeds” represents Saudi Arabia’s dedication to fostering and expanding sports participation throughout the nation, from the lowest levels to the highest levels.
Shireen Hamdan, General Manager of Populous KSA, said: “The King Salman Stadium and Masterplan is an innovative, iconic destination that will harmoniously blend the realm of sports with the beauty of nature. Beyond creating advanced sports facilities, the development aims to unite athleticism and the environment, inspiring all who engage with it.”
“To achieve this, the design teams have drawn direct inspiration from nature’s patterns and elements. The design philosophy reflects a commitment to cutting-edge infrastructure while paying tribute to the intrinsic connection between sustainable development, human activity and the natural world,” stated Shireen.
“On matchdays, vibrant, landscaped walkways provide access to the stadium, while on non-matchdays, these walkways transform into dynamic spaces featuring various commercial offerings,” she added.
In order to create an intimate ambiance and the greatest possible spectator experience, King Salman Stadium’s seating bowl has been constructed to be as small as feasible. It is made to meet the most recent standards for international football. For pitch sports, the architecture allows for a gross capacity of over 92,000 seats. It is also possible to accommodate other kinds of entertainment events.
“A range of facilities will be incorporated into the wider masterplan development, including commercial facilities, football training fields, fan zones, an aquatics centre with an Olympic-sized swimming pool and an athletics stadium,” explained Shireen.
The complex will also have a community sports park and indoor sports hall where people may play sports including padel, basketball, and volleyball. King Abdulaziz Park will be connected to these facilities by a 9-kilometer sports track.
The stadium will house significant national and international sporting and entertainment events and act as the main headquarters for the Saudi national football team when it is finished in late 2029, she added.
