Neom Sky Stadium: Saudi Arabia is building world’s first ‘sky stadium’ at 1,150 ft above ground, netizens call it 'Final Destination'

Synopsis

Neom Sky Stadium: Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA World Cup 2034. A major project is the NEOM Stadium, a 46,000-seat venue 1,150 feet above ground. Construction begins in 2027 and finishes by 2032. This renewable-powered stadium will host World Cup matches. After the tournament, it will be a home ground for a football club and a multipurpose venue.

Saudi Arabia has confirmed it will host the FIFA World Cup 2034, and one of its most ambitious projects is already turning heads, the NEOM Stadium, described as the world’s first “sky stadium.” The 46,000-seat arena will be built 1,150 feet (350 metres) above the ground in the planned smart city called The Line.

Construction is expected to start in 2027 and finish by 2032, two years before the World Cup kicks off. The project, valued at USD 1 billion, will be powered entirely by renewable energy from solar and wind sources, as revealed in Saudi Arabia’s official World Cup bid.

A futuristic landmark for football fans

The NEOM Stadium is set to host matches during the group stage, Round of 32, Round of 16, and quarter-finals. An aerial concept video of the sky-high venue has already gone viral on social media, sparking awe and curiosity among football fans worldwide.

“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,” a viral post by @Rainmaker1973 on X read.

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Beyond the World Cup

According to Construction Review magazine, citing the Saudi Giga Projects Report, the NEOM Stadium will be constructed using sustainable materials and will feature cutting-edge cooling systems, advanced lighting, and immersive digital fan experiences.

After the World Cup, the arena will serve as the home ground for a professional football club in the NEOM region. It is also expected to double as a multipurpose venue for concerts, cultural events, and other sports — making it a year-round attraction in Saudi Arabia’s futuristic cityscape.

Netizens call it 'Final Destination'

Netizens had mixed reactions to the ambitious “sky stadium” plan. While many were amazed by the futuristic concept, others couldn’t resist poking fun at it. Some compared it to scenes from the thriller Final Destination, joking about the risks of being 1,150 feet above the ground. Others quipped that there would probably be “a long queue for the elevators” during match days, turning the internet’s excitement into a mix of awe and amusement.

Industrialist Sanjiv Goenka, who owns IPL team Lucknow Super Giants and ISL club Mohun Bagan Super Giants, also joined the global buzz around Saudi Arabia’s futuristic football venue. Sharing the concept on his X account, he wrote, “The idea of a stadium in the sky captures the essence of modern ambition. Sustainability, technology, and creativity are no longer separate pursuits. They are now converging to shape the world ahead.”

The NEOM Stadium isn’t the only mega project in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup plans. Another major development is the King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh, which Arab News reported “will become the largest stadium in the Kingdom, with a capacity of 92,760, when it is completed in 2029.”

FIFA has already given preliminary endorsement to the Sky Stadium project, recognising its potential to set new global standards for sustainable sports infrastructure. The venue’s planned location near the Health and Well-Being District and University aims to create a sports-centric community within the NEOM smart city.

Although the larger NEOM project is scheduled for full completion by 2045, the section containing the stadium is expected to be ready by 2032 — just in time for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

However, engineers are facing major design and construction challenges because of the stadium’s unusual height and location. Delays in other parts of the NEOM project have raised concerns, but officials insist World Cup-related developments will stay on schedule.

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