Danish architecture studio BIG is understood to be designing the Neom Stadium on top of The Line mega city in Saudi Arabia.
Designed as one of 15 stadiums being created for the World Cup in Saudi Arabia in 2028, the Neom Stadium will be built 350 metres above the ground on top of The Line.
Dezeen understands that the stadium is being designed by BIG as part of the first section of The Line known as the Hidden Marina. Neom and BIG were contacted for comment, but did not confirm the studio’s involvement.
The design was revealed as part of Saudi Arabia’s official bid submission to FIFA, which contained details of the 15 stadiums that will host games during the tournament. FIFA is set to confirm Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 event in December, with the country the only bidder for the event.
“Neom Stadium will be the most unique stadium in the world,” the official bid submission states.
“With a pitch situated more than 350 meters above ground, stunning vistas, and a roof created from the city itself, the stadium will be an experience like no other.”
The first section of The Line, which Dezeen understands is also being designed by BIG, is currently under construction in the north west of Saudi Arabia. It will include a man-made marina and with a large arch for boats to pass through.
BIG is also designing the Oxagon floating port city, which was first announced in 2022 as part of Neom. When asked about the project near the end of an interview with Dezeen last year BIG founder Bjarke Ingels interrupted and ended the conversation.
“Let’s skip it,” he said, and walked away.
Construction of the stadium is planned to begin in 2027, with completion expected in 2032. Following the World Cup, the stadium will become the home of a newly formed Saudi professional football team.
The Neom Stadium is one of 15 that will host games at the World Cup in 2034. Other stadiums set to host games at the tournament include a 92,000-seat stadium in Riyadh and a stadium that will overlook a cliff in Qiddiya – both designed by Populous.
Neom is one of 14 giga projects being developed in Saudi Arabia as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to shift the country’s economy from a reliance on oil. The project has been criticised on human rights grounds with human rights organisation ALQST reporting that three men were sentenced to death after being “forcibly evicted” from the Neom site.
UN Human Rights Council later expressed “alarm” over the imminent executions. Saudi Arabia responded to the UN by denying abuses had taken place.
Recently we asked if it was time for architecture studios to walk away from the project due to rising human rights concerns.
