Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to build a $1 billion stadium 350 meters above ground in its futuristic city, The Line, part of the Neom mega-project. The stadium will host matches during the 2034 FIFA World Cup, following the kingdom’s confirmed bid announced by FIFA on December 11, 2024.
Named the Neom Stadium, the venue will seat 46,000 fans and run entirely on renewable energy, including wind and solar power. Access will be through high-speed elevators and autonomous vehicles, reflecting the project’s high-tech design and sustainability goals.
The stadium will feature a futuristic design with tessellated shell structures, glowing blue neon lights, and a giant LED screen chandelier. It will be built within The Line, a 170-km car-free city under construction on the Red Sea coast.
After the World Cup, the stadium will be used for sports, concerts, and esports events, supporting Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global sports and entertainment hub under its Vision 2030 plan.
Saudi Arabia’s 2034 bid includes 15 stadiums across five cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom—with 11 new builds and four renovations. Neom Stadium stands out for its elevation, bold architecture, and integration into a city designed to redefine urban life.
The ambitious plan has drawn global interest but also criticism. Human rights groups and environmentalists have raised concerns about labor practices and ecological impacts tied to similar mega-projects in the region.
