Bahrain International Sports City has reached a major procurement milestone, with 20 contractors prequalifying for its first construction phase.
The milestone positions the Sakhir development for its next tender stage after Bahrain extended the prequalification deadline. The Ministry of Works opened the process to contractors with major international stadium experience. The project forms part of Bahrain’s wider $30 billion strategic projects plan.
Bahrain International Sports City advances toward construction
The Ministry of Works issued the Phase 1A prequalification notice on May 24, 2026. Initially, contractors had until July 26 to submit applications. However, the ministry later extended the deadline to September 13. The Bahrain Tender Board subsequently recorded September 14 as the opening date.
The procurement covers construction of the stadium, arena building and associated facilities. The ministry will assess bidders against financial stability, technical capability, past performance and available resources. This process aims to reduce construction risks before the main tender.
The tender requires qualified Saudi or Bahraini contractors to partner with experienced international stadium specialists. Saudi participants must hold Class A building construction classification. Bahraini participants must hold Category AA building construction classification.
Furthermore, international partners must demonstrate experience delivering major international sports stadiums. This requirement introduces specialist expertise into the planned construction package.
The Saudi Fund for Development published the revised prequalification notice on September 2. Its notice confirms the package includes the stadium, arena building and associated facilities.
The latest milestone therefore brings the project closer to selecting a construction contractor.
Bahrain’s latest stadium procurement milestone highlights how major sports construction projects increasingly combine high-capacity venues with flexible event infrastructure. The Jakarta International Stadium project provides a useful comparison, having delivered an 82,000-seat retractable-roof venue in North Jakarta.
Bahrain International Sports City combines stadium and arena functions
The Phase 1A building will use a combined stadium and arena concept with a lifting pitch. The configuration allows the venue to operate in three different modes.
In stadium mode, the facility can accommodate up to 46,000 spectators under FIFA-compliant standards. Arena mode can accommodate between 8,000 and 35,000 concert attendees. Meanwhile, the sky-pitch configuration can host approximately 3,000 spectators.
The wider Sports City will occupy approximately 745,000 square meters in Sakhir. Plans include an indoor sports complex, velodrome, training pitches and public parks. Hotels and a mall will also form part of the broader development.
The development sits close to Bahrain International Circuit, reinforcing Sakhir’s position as a major sports destination.
Earlier plans described a stadium accommodating up to 50,000 spectators. However, the current Phase 1A procurement documents specify a maximum capacity of 46,000. The latest tender documentation therefore provides the more relevant construction benchmark.
The reported overall development budget previously reached about $492 million. Earlier allocations included BD100.8 million across 2023 and 2024 and approximately BD84.8 million afterward. These figures represent earlier budget reporting rather than the current Phase 1A tender value.
Meanwhile, Populous has advanced the project’s design and procurement preparation. The US-based firm secured a BD5 million ($13.5 million) consultancy contract. Its scope includes the masterplan, internal infrastructure and Phase 1A design. Populous will also prepare construction tender documents.
The Ministry of Works also commissioned an independent structural review for the stadium arena building. sbp SE won that consultancy with a bid value of BD105,226.563. The review covers the roof, facade supports, stadium bowl, foundations and structural systems.
The 20 prequalified contractors now provide the ministry with a qualified pool for the next procurement stage.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Bahrain International Sports City
Phase: Phase 1A
Location: Sakhir, Southern Governorate, Bahrain
Reported overall budget: Approximately $492 million based on earlier budget allocations
Current procurement: Stadium, arena building and associated facilities
Tender reference: 253/2026/BTB (SP-25/0008)
Stadium capacity: Up to 46,000 spectators
Arena capacity: 8,000 to 35,000 spectators
Sky-pitch capacity: Approximately 3,000 spectators
Site area: Approximately 745,000 square meters
Key design feature: Lifting pitch supporting three venue configurations
Prequalified contractors: 20
Prequalification deadline: September 13, 2026
Tender opening: September 14, 2026
Strategic program: Bahrain’s $30 billion Strategic Projects Plan
Wider facilities: Sports complex, velodrome, training pitches, parks, hotels and mall
Project Team
Client: Kingdom of Bahrain Ministry of Works
Development stakeholders: Prime Minister’s Office and Supreme Council of Youth and Sports
Lead design consultant: Populous
Structural review consultant: sbp SE
Construction procurement authority: Bahrain Tender Board
Funding partner: Saudi Fund for Development
Construction bidders: Twenty prequalified contractors
International construction requirement: Stadium-experienced foreign contractor partners
Project location: Sakhir, Southern Governorate, Bahrain
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