In Saudi Arabia, the project developed by Populous for the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium in the city of Qiddiya, 40 minutes from Riyadh, has been unveiled. Located on the spectacular Tuwaiq cliff, 200 meters high, the project aims to revolutionize the traditional stadium experience with an immersive design and cutting-edge technological features.

The 45,000-seat stadium will be the world’s first fully integrated facility, combining a retractable roof, pitch, and LED wall – an architectural innovation that allows the space to transform in a matter of hours, accommodating a wide variety of events from sports to music. When not in use, the LED wall will open to showcase breathtaking views. The stadium will also provide visitors with instant access to real-time data and information, using technologies such as HoloBox for virtual interactions with celebrities.

The project will be able to host events year-round thanks to a climate control system, with energy consumption reduced through a cooling lake built directly beneath the building. This lake will utilize rainwater captured from the stadium and the surrounding area to pre-cool the air conditioning system. The stadium is fully compliant with FIFA requirements for club and international competitions and is one of the proposed venues for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.