Football 350 meters above the ground: Saudi Arabia's unusual stadium project has been delayed

Football at 350 meters above the ground: Saudi Arabia's unusual stadium project has been delayed

The stadium was supposed to be part of a massive city project called The Line. According to the initial plan, this linear city, stretching up to 170 kilometers, was presented as the central object of the NEOM megaproject.

The arena was planned to be located inside a tall structure, approximately 350 meters above ground level. In Saudi Arabia's bid to host the World Cup, it was described as "the most unique stadium in the world."

Reuters, citing sources familiar with the situation, reported that the project has been suspended indefinitely. However, Saudi officials have not made any public statements regarding the suspension of the stadium's construction.

This news comes at a time when The Line project itself is undergoing delays and downsizing. Consequently, the prospect of realizing it on the scale originally planned also remains in question.

The NEOM stadium was one of 15 arenas proposed for the 2034 World Cup. Saudi Arabia planned to host the tournament in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Abha, and NEOM.

According to the initial plan, 11 new stadiums were to be built before the tournament, while four existing arenas were to be reconstructed or expanded.

It remains unknown whether another arena will be proposed to replace the NEOM stadium or if the number of stadiums used in the tournament will be reduced. Meanwhile, construction and renovation work at other stadiums continues.

In 2025, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia engaged consultants to assess the economic feasibility of The Line project. This step was seen as a sign that the costs and scale of the massive project are being reassessed.