Gaby
The future Qiddiya City district earned a reputation as Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious project in 2019, when construction was just getting underway. It is rising from the rocks about 45 kilometers from Riyadh.
A colossal esports arena with 5,155 seats will be one of the district’s standout features. It will have six glass-walled sections, and the whole structure will glow with vibrant neon lights.
The world’s largest esports arena is being designed by global architectural firm Populous, known for the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas — the largest spherical structure on Earth, featuring a 54,000-square-meter LED screen.
Inspired by the Sphere’s success, Populous architects let their imaginations run wild designing the Qiddiya arena. The plan includes the world’s largest total area of video screens and tactile 4D seating. Designers say the seats will be so immersive that spectators might ‘even smell the video game.’
A giant mix of suspended screens and modern AV systems will give arena guests a fully immersive esports experience.
At the center of the seating bowl will hang a digital chandelier — a suspended array of screens that will broadcast competitions. Designboom reports those feeds will be clearly visible from anywhere in the complex.
The esports arena, planned as Qiddiya’s centerpiece, embodies the city’s motto: ‘Play in Life.’ The Populous-designed arena will host national and international esports events. The project’s creators say it will be the cornerstone of the new district and the world’s first multifunctional gaming venue.
Shirin Hamdan, CEO of Populous KSA, said the arena will represent a modern esports venue and serve as a central element of Qiddiya City’s esports and cultural district.
Developers hope the district will attract around 10 million visitors a year. The 500,000-square-meter development will include four stadiums totaling 73,000 seats, numerous restaurants, concert halls, water parks, golf courses, dozens of companies focused on esports, and 25 gaming clubs. The project is also expected to create many jobs.
