Saudi Arabia to host FIFA World Cup 2034

Saudi Arabia's FIFA bid projects a 10% increase in the global live TV audience compared to previous tournaments.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been selected as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Saudi Arabia will be the first country to host the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup under the new format approved by FIFA, with matches to be played across five cities. The Saudi bid was the sole contender and received overwhelming support from over 200 FIFA member associations during an online meeting chaired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Zurich.

The Kingdom officially submitted its bid under the theme ‘Together We Grow’ in July 2024, unveiling ambitious plans to host matches across 15 state-of-the-art stadiums in five host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and Neom. Ten of these stadiums are currently in the development or planning stages. They include, in Riyadh, King Salman Stadium, South Riyadh Stadium, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, New Murabba Stadium, Roshn Stadium, and Qiddiya Coast Stadium; in Jeddah, Jeddah Central Development Stadium and King Abdullah Economic City Stadium; Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar, and Neom Stadium in Neom.

Some of the most notable venues include the King Salman Stadium which has a proposed capacity of 92,000 spectators. It will host the opening match and the final of the 2034 World Cup, and will serve as the main base of the Saudi Arabia national team. The main stadium will have amenities such as a royal box, hospitality skyboxes and lounges, internal screens, gardens and a walking path on its roof with panoramic views of King Abdulaziz Park. The futuristic Neom Stadium (capacity: 46,010) will be situated 350 metres from the ground on top of ‘The Line’ project. The proposed stadium will only be accessible via high-speed lifts and driverless vehicles.

Saudi Arabia’s FIFA World Cup 2034 bid also includes ten proposed FIFA Fan Festival sites, spread across Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom. The bid proposes two FIFA Fan Festival sites in each host city, ensuring that fans across the country have easy access to the festivities. The proposed festival sites will cater to a wide range of fan needs, including large viewing areas for live match screenings, interactive zones, and spaces for food and beverage services.

FIFA forecasts that ticketing and hospitality revenues from the Saudi World Cup could surpass the baseline by over 32%, amounting to an additional $240 million. Media and marketing rights, a critical component of FIFA’s revenue model, are expected to grow significantly under the Saudi bid. The bid projects a 10% increase in the global live TV audience compared to previous tournaments.

Sources: www.inbroadcast.com