Insane photos show Saudi Arabia 92,000-seater stadium plans as Newcastle United await St James' Park update

The King Salman Stadium is set to open in 2029 ahead staging the opening match and the final of the 2034 World Cup. The Saudi sports ministry unveiled a promotional video made with computer-generated imagery to offer a first look at the stadium.

The Populous-designed stadium will be the main base of the Saudi Arabia national team and be part of a a sports complex featuring an indoor sports hall, an Olympic-sized pool and other facilities. The venue itself will boast internal screens, gardens and a walking path on its roof with panoramic views of King Abdulaziz Park, as well as host a royal box, hospitality skyboxes and lounges, 300 VVIP seats, and 2,200 VIP seats.

Shireen Hamdan, general manager of Populous KSA, said: “The King Salman Stadium and Masterplan is an innovative, iconic destination that will harmoniously blend the realm of sports with the beauty of nature. Beyond creating advanced sports facilities, the development aims to unite athleticism and the environment, inspiring all who engage with it.

“To achieve this, the design teams have drawn direct inspiration from nature’s patterns and elements. The design philosophy reflects a commitment to cutting-edge infrastructure while paying tribute to the intrinsic connection between sustainable development, human activity and the natural world.”

Naturally, this has attracted the attention of Newcastle United supporters as they await a further update on the future of St James’ Park.

The Magpies are 85% owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, who will ultimately sign off the cheque that will either see St James’ expanded or a new stadium built elsewhere. United have also had discussions with the same architectural firm.

Following a feasibility study and a period of consultation, Newcastle chief operating officer Brad Miller recently announced “we aren't quite at a decision-making stage yet, but we are targeting the early part of 2025 to complete the next essential tasks”.

Miller also said: "Part of the process is also to understand alternative options so that we see the bigger picture and, again, find the right balance between risk and opportunity. This is a once-in-a-generation investment, so we don't want to look back in years to come, as a club or as a city, and regret an opportunity missed.

"Our objective is to select a scheme that is deliverable, affordable, and sustainable, so we are investing this time to make sure we are only going to spend money on the project where it will make the biggest difference - to fan experience, revenue, competitiveness, investment in football and operational efficiency. All this requires a robust process that leaves no stone unturned.”

IMAGE NOTE: In this undated handout image released on November 18, 2024 by Populous, a digital rendering of the proposed King Salman Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a proposed capacity of 92,000 people, the stadium is designed by Populous - is one of the proposed 2034 FIFA World Cup stadiums that may host the opening ceremony as well as the final.