NEOM Sky Stadium Proposed for Saudi 2034 Bid

Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid includes plans for the NEOM “Sky Stadium,” a roughly $1 billion, 46,000-seat arena to be suspended about 350 metres above ground and integrated into The Line megacity, powered primarily by solar and wind energy. Construction is reported to begin around 2026–2027 with completion targeted by 2032 so the venue can host matches up to the quarterfinals and then serve as a year-round multipurpose stadium and home to a future NEOM club. Concept renderings and promotional material highlight features such as high-speed elevators, AI/AR fan technology, advanced cooling and immersive digital experiences. Experts and critics have raised questions about engineering feasibility, safety, the tight timeline, and labour and human-rights implications. Some reports note that while official bid documents reference the stadium, many elements of the plan have primarily circulated via social media and concept videos rather than receiving uniform confirmation across Saudi state media. Separately, Leyton Orient has signed a memorandum of understanding with Waltham Forest Council to explore a new sustainability-focused stadium and multisports campus to replace its 9,000-capacity Brisbane Road site.