From the roar of Formula 1 engines in Jiddah to Aramco’s strategic partnership with FIFA, the company is emerging as a global sports partnership powerhouse. As part of Saudi Vision 2030, these initiatives are not merely sponsorships, they’re also long-term investments in youth, health, global engagement, and infrastructure. The Aramco Stadium in al-Khobar is now rising as both a venue and a symbol of that ambition.

In a quiet corner of al-Khobar, one such legacy is literally taking root. The pitch nursery is now fully mobilized on-site, marking a pivotal milestone in constructing one of the region’s most advanced playing surfaces, destined to host both the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

This isn’t just grass, it’s engineered performance. The nursery is laying the foundation for a venue built to global specifications and national pride.

A living surface with global standards

The main pitch spans 105 meters by 68 meters, the exact field dimensions required for FIFA and AFC competition. With a hybrid system of 95% natural grass and 5% synthetic reinforcement, it delivers the resilience and safety expected in elite stadia.

Climate-controlled precision; a GCC first

To support turf health in al-Khobar’s climate, Aramco is deploying a climate-controlled vacuum and ventilation system, the first in the GCC. Drawing on innovations developed for major Gulf stadiums, the system maintains stable air and temperature conditions beneath the turf, which is a vital safeguard in extreme heat.

Paired with embedded sensors tracking oxygen, moisture, and temperature, this smart system links to a weather-informed irrigation controller for precision watering and nutrient delivery.

Meticulous care and local adaptation

The nursery operates under a strict care regime of irrigation twice daily, fertilizer twice weekly, and mowing twice weekly.

Locally grown turf adapts naturally to conditions, reducing transplant stress. In shaded zones, LED-grow lighting, already proven at venues like Munich’s Allianz Arena, enhances turf density and uniformity.

Training grounds for champions

In addition to the main pitch, the site includes two full-size training pitches and two goalkeeper zones, built to the same specifications. During major tournaments, these spaces provide flexibility for warmups, rotations, and team logistics. 

 

The Bigger Picture

• One of the stadiums for the 2034 FIFA World Cup
• Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030’s youth, wellness, and infrastructure objectives
• Part of Aramco’s 2024–2027 FIFA global partnership
• Complements other major sports investments in Formula 1, Women’s IPL cricket, Aramco Team Series golf

Engineering a stage for the world

Part of an 800,000 m² masterplan, the Aramco Stadium’s highlights include: 

• 47,000 seats 
• Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) precertification
• Some 9,000 parking spaces and 1,695 CCTV cameras for safety and access
• A 22,500-ton district cooling system to maintain spectator comfort

Construction began in July 2024, with over 9,000 workers across the site, 74 cranes in operation, and the upper stand casting visibly transforming the skyline, with everything being on track for completion in 2026, ahead of the Asian Cup.

Safety culture in action

Safety is foundational at the stadium. Aramco’s Safety Command Center combines AI-backed monitoring, crane-collision avoidance systems, and a HSE system. Over 4,000 training sessions have been completed, supporting a unified site-wide safety ethos. Hydration tents and shaded wellness zones reinforce physical well-being for all workers, and are hallmarks of Aramco’s standard-setting workplace culture.

The project team has implemented a robust safety management system that includes real-time heat stress monitoring: Ambient temperature sensors across the site feed data to the Safety Command Center, which adjusts work schedules to avoid peak heat hours.

Community and operational legacy

Once operational, the stadium will be the home of Al-Qadsiah Football Club and will host other international matches, alongside community sporting events and cultural programming. Designed with al-Khobar’s maritime heritage in mind, the stadium’s spiral form echoes the city’s coastal whirlpools, creating a new civic landmark.