Landmark for Saudi Arabia unveiled

Populousa firm known for its sports and entertainment architecture, has been confirmed as lead designer for the Aramco Stadium and surrounding masterplan in Al Khobar. Saudi Arabia. The stadiumwhich will host matches of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, is also a potential host venue for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Aramco Stadium will be a 47,000-seat facility that meets international standards for top-level football competitions. The stadium meets FIFA’s stadium requirements and is suitable for hosting World Cup matches up to the quarter-finals. The project, which was led by Populous from initial idea to final implementation, is a potential host venue for the 2034 World Cup.

Images © Populous

Population moves from the coastal location

The Aracmo Stadium in Saudi Arabia and its master plan will span approximately 800,000 square meters and include a range of community facilities such as new sports facilities, retail spaces, entertainment zones and public areas. The Architects We are pursuing LEED Gold certification, which reflects our commitment to sustainability and inclusive design and ensures accessibility for all visitors.

Populous took inspiration from Al Khobar’s coastal location on the Arabian Gulf when designing the stadium. The exterior of the stadium features overlapping translucent sails that symbolize the graceful rotation of waves and natural spiral motifs. These curved and proportioned sails allow natural light to stream into the stadium, creating a dynamic and sculptural façade.

The stadium’s interior mirrors the spiral motif of the building’s exterior. Ramps and walkways lead spectators to the seating bowl, which is elliptical in design to optimize natural ventilation. The seating bowl, developed by expert designers at Populous, provides all spectators with unobstructed views of the field and can accommodate up to 55,000 people for concerts and other events. A cooling system increases comfort for players and spectators.

Populous confirmed as lead designer for the new Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Aracmo Stadium and its surrounding master plan

At the heart of the Aramco Stadium master plan is a mixed-use development designed to transform the area into a year-round destination focused on “inclusivity and community participation.” The master plan includes retail and entertainment zones, public spaces and innovative facilities such as digital sports and e-gaming centers. A sports training center with two soccer pitches is also planned to support athletes’ training, competition and recovery. Populous Consulting has developed a comprehensive business plan for Aramco Stadium that will ensure its sustainable success beyond the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The plan, based on data-driven insights and market research, focuses on visitor experience, community relations and commercial viability, positioning the stadium as a long-term asset for the region.

Shireen Hamdan, Senior Principal and General Manager of Populous KSA, highlighted the importance of Aramco Stadium: ‘The venue’s stunning location on the Arabian Gulf coast has enabled us to develop a distinctive building form that is instantly and unambiguously recognisable. The design will achieve iconic status in the football world and be synonymous with Saudi Arabia’s vision to develop Al Khobar into a global sporting destination..’

A façade of translucent sails is inspired by the waves and spiral motifs of the Arabian Gulf

The Aracmo Stadium and its master plan will cover 800,000 square meters

The seat shell is elliptical in design to ensure optimal natural ventilation and uninterrupted visibility