Saudi Arabia has begun the procurement process for an estimated $1.8 billion contract to develop the National Athletics stadium Qiddiya. Projected to be the kingdom’s next major sporting destination, the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) seeks to ensure its delivery. The company has received expressions of interest from contractors to build the stadium. Moreover, the client has scheduled further clarification meetings with prospective bidders in the coming weeks. The multipurpose stadium will cover an area of approximately 182,000 square meters. It is also being benchmarked against the design of the London Olympic Stadium. UK-based firm HOK is the project’s lead design consultant. It is supported by Canadian engineering firm WSP and Germany’s Schlaich Bergermann Partner. On the other hand, UK-headquartered WT Partnership is serving as the project’s cost consultant. The stadium will be located within the Qiddiya Sports Park cluster. Moreover, its completion is expected by 2030.
The project’s implementation is essential in preparation of the upcoming 2034 Asian Games. In December 2020, Saudi Arabia was selected to host the 2034 Asian Games. The 22nd edition of the event will be held in Riyadh from 29 November to 14 December 2034. The kingdom is also set to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029. In October 2022, the Trojena development at Neom was selected to host the ninth edition of the event. However, despite the confidence, there have been major challenges in delivering the Trojena desert ski resort. Nonetheless, officials close to the project are hopeful and are certain the project will push through even as the Asian Games committee considers changing locations.
Project Factsheet
Significance:
- Serves as Saudi Arabia’s flagship stadium for the 2034 Asian Games in Riyadh.
- Strengthens the Qiddiya Sports Park cluster as a world-class sporting destination.
- Enhances Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals by promoting sports, tourism, and entertainment.
Infrastructure:
- Multipurpose stadium covering 182,000 square meters, benchmarked against London’s Olympic Stadium.
- Designed by UK-based HOK with engineering support from WSP (Canada) and Schlaich Bergermann Partner (Germany).
- Expected completion by 2030, ahead of the 2034 Asian Games.
Developer:
- Project owned and managed by Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC).
- Cost consultant role led by UK-headquartered WT Partnership.
- Procurement process ongoing, with contractor bids under evaluation.
Funding:
- Estimated project value stands at $1.8 billion.
- Backed by Qiddiya Investment Company under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
- Also part of the $750 billion national gigaprojects portfolio driving Vision 2030.
Challenges:
- Ensuring timely delivery amid the scale of Qiddiya City’s parallel megaprojects.
- Past delays in other projects, such as Trojena, raise concerns over execution.
- Pressure to meet international standards for major sporting events.
The Scope of Implementation on the National Athletics Stadium in Qiddiya City
QIC is ramping up its construction efforts at the development. In October, 2024, QIC had started construction work on Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium in Qiddiya City. These are some of the projects that will be within the city other than the National Athletics stadium Qiddiya. A joint venture of FCC Construction and Nesma & Partners won the contract. It covers the construction of a multipurpose stadium on top of the 200-metre-high Tuwaiq cliff in the sports. Furthermore, it covers the entertainment district of Qiddiya City.
QIC has also achieved key construction milestones on several schemes that are in the execution phase at the development. One of this is the Six Flags Qiddiya City project which has reached 89% completion. On the other hand, the Aquarabia theme park is at 84%. Moreover, the golf courses at 77%. The construction of the development’s first bridge, which spans about 1 kilometer, has also been completed. The Qiddiya entertainment city project is one of Saudi Arabia’s five official gigaprojects, covering 360 square kilometres. Contractors have also submitted bids for the contract to build the performing arts center at Qiddiya Entertainment City.
