世界杯之外的沙特阿拉伯体育场。

AUTHORS ALIA SABALAPartner, Head of On December 11, 2024, Saudi Arabia was officially awarded thehosting rights of the FIFA World Cup 2034, with a bid built around 15proposed stadiums across the Kingdom. Four existing venues will berefurbished, while the remaining venues are either under NICOLAS TEISSEYRESenior Partner,Global head of TMT MOHAMAD YAMOUTPartner, Head ofCities & Real Estate CHRISTIAN LUEKENProject Manager TOBIA TASSINARISenior Consultant The Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 represents a powerful catalyst for nationalinfrastructure growth and urban upscaling, but its long-term success will depend onwhat happens after the tournament concludes. Saudi Arabia's stadium program The Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 hosting bid includes Overview of KSA's proposed stadiums Stadiums have evolved from isolated event venues to integratedmixed-use year round destinations operate as active destinations embedded within the everyday life of their cities,capable of hosting diverse experiences that attract visitors throughout the year. The Second, the greenfield approach allows stadiums to be integrated into a broadermasterplan, which is much more difficult in Europe and other similar markets. Unlikein markets where legacy infrastructure often constrains innovation, Saudi Arabiacan design venues and surrounding districts from scratch, optimizing for 365-day Comparison of sports and events in KSA When it comes to utilization, Saudi Arabia may face a challenge. Football is thecountry's most popular sport, yet Saudi Pro League (SPL) figures illustrate a gap football ecosystem is evolving rapidly, but if stadium capacity continues to expandat this rate, regular matchday demand will need to grow in parallel. This challenge is particularly visible in Riyadh, where current projections suggest apotential oversupply of event venues – not just large stadiums but also arenas andsimilar facilities – by 2034 relative to the city's resident population. Based on theexisting data, Riyadh has the highest projected number of seats per 1,000 Stadium capacity per capita in six major global entertainment hubs, 2034 Event offering A varied events mix ensures that stadiums remain active assets throughout the yearrather than occasional event venues, allowing operators to generate more consistentrevenue. Wembley Stadium, for example, hosts more than 40 events annually acrosssports, music, and entertainment, maximizing venue utilization and audience reach. Anchor major events, engage the community, ensuresustainability and drive urban regeneration One of the most effective anchors for stadium utilization is securing a tenanthome team. This creates predictable usage patterns while strengthening the There are currently four Riyadh-based clubs in the Saudi Pro League, with eightstadiums proposed in Riyadh for the World Cup bid. This imbalance means that notevery venue will be able to rely on a single resident club to drive regular attendance. Another way to boost utilization is by hosting recurring marquee events, such as large-scale international competitions and global entertainment productions. Such eventscan attract significant audiences and establish a global reputation. Stadiumoperators should build long-term relationships with promoters and sports federations Infrastructure flexibility also plays an important role in enabling diversifiedprogramming. The London Olympic Stadium, developed for the 2012 Olympic Having a home team significantly enhances a stadium's financialviability, as regular occupancy has a particularly strong impact later conversion into a football stadium while still accommodating concerts andother large-scale events. For Saudi Arabia, this kind of flexibility should be seen not Fan engagement Successful fan growth strategies extend activity beyond match days throughcommunity events, stadium tours and open access to selected areas of the venue, Similarly, Real Madrid released 360° previews and digital walkthroughs of therenovated Bernabéu years before reopening, while the FC Barcelona Espai Barça Other clubs have used founding membership programs to create early identificationwith a new venue. When Atlanta United prepared to move into Mercedes-Benz Many clubs now allow supporters to customize merchandise linked to new stadiummilestones or major redevelopment phases – examples include FC Barcelona, Real Similarly, many teams now rely on their official club apps to centralize ticketingaccess, exclusive content, match updates and push notifications in a single digitalenvironment. These applications function as primary fan touchpoints and represent Fan engagement thrives when the stadium experience reflects the city's uniquecharacter and culture. By weaving local traditions, stories and community valuesinto every aspect of the fan journey, stadiums in Saudi Arabia can become vibrantgathering places that foster pride and belonging. When fans feel that the venue Accessibility Global ben