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Saudi Arabia reportedly shelves NEOM stadium plans for 2034
Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
One planned stadium, called the NEOM Stadium, was meant to be built inside a huge project called The Line.
Two people familiar with the plans said the stadium project has been shelved indefinitely.
A construction data company lists it as on hold and estimates it would cost $2.5 billion.
Saudi Arabia is still working on other stadiums and facilities for the tournament.
Officials said substantial construction milestones were already being delivered.
They did not say whether the NEOM Stadium would be built.
The stadium plans are uncertain, while work on other World Cup venues is continuing.
Two sources told Reuters that plans for the NEOM Stadium have been shelved indefinitely.
The proposed 46,000-seat stadium was planned for The Line, a development within NEOM.
MEED Projects lists the stadium as on hold with an estimated cost of $2.5 billion and no completion date.
Saudi Arabia is developing or renovating 15 World Cup venues across five cities, with projects valued at $22.7 billion.
Saudi officials said substantial World Cup construction milestones were being delivered, but did not address the NEOM Stadium.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia; two sources familiar with the plans said the NEOM Stadium project was shelved.
- What
- Plans for the proposed NEOM Stadium have reportedly been shelved indefinitely.
- Where
- The proposed stadium was planned for The Line development within NEOM, Saudi Arabia.
- When
- Ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup; the article gives no date for the shelving decision.
- Why
- The report cites delays and the scaling down of The Line; a source also pointed to challenges delivering projects across multiple locations.
Plans reportedly shelved
Official response and ongoing construction
Status of the NEOM Stadium
Plans reportedly shelved
Two sources familiar with the matter said plans to build the stadium had been shelved indefinitely; MEED Projects lists it as on hold.
Official response and ongoing construction
The World Cup 2034 Hosting Higher Authority said substantial construction milestones were being delivered, but did not address the stadium. NEOM and the Saudi government media office did not respond to requests for comment.
The Line's priority
Plans reportedly shelved
The article reports delays and downscaling of The Line, the development that was to house the stadium.
Official response and ongoing construction
Yasir Al-Rumayyan said The Line was no longer a priority and was not vital before 2030, but denied that any projects had been cancelled.
Key facts
- Tournament
- 2034 FIFA World Cup
- Planned stadium capacity
- 46,000 seats
- Estimated NEOM Stadium cost
- $2.5 billion, according to MEED Projects
- Project status
- Reportedly shelved indefinitely; MEED Projects lists it as on hold
- Other World Cup venues
- Saudi Arabia is working to build or renovate 15 venues across five cities
- Reported value of projects
- $22.7 billion, according to MEED Projects data shared with Reuters
- NEOM Stadium completion date
- No completion date is listed in the MEED Projects data
Sources
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