The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has revealed designs for the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium, an iconic multi-use venue that is designed to further enhance Qiddiya’s philosophy of the Power of Play.
Located in Qiddiya City, this futuristic venue is anticipated to become a must-visit destination. It aims to draw visitors from across the globe and revolutionise the traditional stadium experience with its immersive design and unique technological features. It is anticipated to host some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest sports, entertainment and cultural events.
The stadium has been designed by Populous, the leading Sports and Entertainment venue architect. It is set to be the world’s first fully integrated venue with a combined retractable roof, pitch and LED wall – an architectural innovation offering unparalleled versatility and allowing the space to transform into different ‘event modes’ in a matter of hours. This LED wall will be a portal to live event broadcasts, high-definition films and laser shows, offering guests a novel, immersive experience with each visit. When not activated, it will open to reveal breathtaking views of Qiddiya City.
Guests will be able to enjoy multiple spectacles in a single day, including football, boxing, esports, concerts and theatre performances to name a few. The stadium will employ cutting-edge technology to provide fans with instant access to live data and information including the use of state-of-the-art technology such as HoloBox, enabling virtual interactions with celebrities and stars.
Integrated into the city fabric through a variety of transportation choices including park ’n ride and drop-off zones, the stadium is also within direct proximity to 50,000 square meters of shopping, dining and entertainment spaces as well as hotel options.
The 45-000 seat multi-functional stadium is fully compliant with FIFA requirements for club and international competition.
There will be an estimated 7.6 million annual visits to the stadium, which will be able to host events all year-round in its climate-controlled facilities, where energy consumption will be reduced through an eco-friendly cooling lake built directly under the stadium. The lake will use rainwater capture from the stadium and the surrounding area to pre-cool the air conditioning system.
Chris Lee, Managing Director of Populous, EMEA, comments: “The Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium represents a quantum leap in stadium design and a new generation of digitally-enabled innovation. The level of embedded technology will enable both incredible gaming and entertainment experiences and a new way for fans to watch and enjoy football itself”.
Shireen Hamdan, Senior Principal and GM of Populous MENA adds: “We have been able to draw on all our experience in sport and entertainment venues to create this iconic multi-use stadium. The location and design of this unique, futuristic venue will ensure an incredible experience for everyone who visits and uses it”.
For further information please visit www.populous.com.
