KEY POINTS
- NEOM Stadium dubbed world’s first “sky stadium.”
- Stadium to rise 1,150 feet above The Line.
- Completion expected by 2032.
- Venue to host matches up to quarterfinal stage.
- Fifteen stadiums planned across five Saudi cities.
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has officially confirmed it will host the FIFA World Cup 2034, marking a historic first for the Kingdom. Central to its ambitious plans is the NEOM Stadium, a futuristic venue described as the world’s first “sky stadium,” to be built 1,150 feet (350 metres) above ground in the planned smart city known as The Line.
A billion-dollar stadium
Estimated to cost $1 billion, the NEOM Stadium will feature 46,000 seats and run entirely on renewable energy from solar and wind sources, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Green Initiative goals. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and finish by 2032, just two years before the tournament kicks off.
According to the country’s official World Cup bid, the stadium will host matches up to the quarterfinals, including group-stage and knockout rounds. An aerial concept video showcasing the venue has already gone viral, captivating football fans and sparking widespread debate on social media.
Mixed reactions
While many hailed the NEOM Stadium as a glimpse into football’s future, others met the “stadium in the sky” with humour and scepticism. Some compared it to scenes from the thriller Final Destination, joking about being 1,150 feet above the ground, while others wondered about “the queue for elevators” on match days.
Among those inspired was Indian industrialist Sanjiv Goenka, owner of Lucknow Super Giants and Mohun Bagan Super Giants, who wrote on X: “The idea of a stadium in the sky captures the essence of modern ambition. Sustainability, technology, and creativity are no longer separate pursuits — they’re converging to shape the world ahead.”
Design, technology, and legacy
As reported by Construction Review magazine, the NEOM Stadium will be constructed using sustainable materials and will include advanced cooling systems, cutting-edge lighting, and immersive digital experiences for fans.
After the World Cup, the venue will become home to a professional club in the NEOM region and serve as a multi-purpose arena for concerts, cultural festivals, and other sporting events — ensuring year-round use in the futuristic cityscape.
The stadium’s location is planned near The Line’s Health and Well-Being District and University hub, aiming to form a sports-centric community within NEOM.
However, engineers face significant design and construction challenges due to the stadium’s altitude and setting. With sections of the wider NEOM project delayed, concerns remain about timelines — though officials insist that World Cup-related infrastructure will remain on schedule.
Saudi Arabia plans to build Neom Stadium, a 350-meter-high, renewable-powered arena in The Line.
Set to open around 2032, it will host 2034 World Cup matches up to the quarterfinals.pic.twitter.com/wksOThHoLT
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) October 28, 2025
The broader vision
The NEOM Stadium is one of 15 venues unveiled under Saudi Arabia’s World Cup 2034 slogan, “Growing Together.” The plan includes stadiums across Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM — the largest number ever hosted by a single nation.
Of these, 11 are entirely new constructions, while four existing stadiums will be renovated and expanded to meet FIFA standards.
Among the most prominent projects are the King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh, which will seat around 92,000 spectators and host both the opening and final matches; the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Qiddiya, featuring a striking three-sided bowl design overlooking the Tuwaiq cliffs; and the Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar, inspired by a whirlpool shape along the Arabian Gulf.
All three venues are being designed by Populous, the global architectural firm behind Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and each emphasises sustainability, accessibility, and long-term legacy reuse.
Concept versus reality
While the “sky stadium” concept has captured imaginations worldwide, Saudi officials have so far not issued a formal construction launch or architectural release for the skyscraper-top version circulating online.
Much of the footage shared on social media remains fan-made visualisations, representing the futuristic spirit of NEOM rather than the confirmed design.
The official NEOM Stadium project is real — included in Saudi Arabia’s 2034 bid — but its floating, city-top renderings are still conceptual, pending further design development within The Line’s broader construction timeline.
Looking ahead
FIFA has provisionally endorsed the NEOM Stadium concept for its potential to set new standards in sustainable sports infrastructure. The stadium section is expected to be ready by 2032, even though NEOM’s full completion is projected for 2045.
As Saudi Arabia prepares to host its first-ever FIFA World Cup, the NEOM “sky stadium” symbolises more than just architectural ambition — it embodies the Kingdom’s drive to redefine sports, sustainability, and innovation on a global stage.
