King Abdullah Sports City:
King Abdullah Sports City, also known as "The Shining Jewel" or simply "The Jewel," is a versatile sports complex located 30 kilometers north of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Named in honor of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the facility is a testament to the nation's commitment to sports and entertainment.
The centerpiece of this sports city is the King Abdullah International Stadium, which serves as a multifunctional arena primarily used for football. With an impressive seating capacity of 62,241 spectators, it ranks as the largest stadium in Jeddah and the second-largest in Saudi Arabia, following Riyadh's King Fahd Stadium. Notably, it stands as the 10th largest stadium in the Arab world and one of the prominent sporting venues in Asia. The stadium's versatility extends to hosting athletics events and indoor sports within its impressive confines. Moreover, it is set to be one of the venues for the upcoming 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, further elevating its status on the global stage.
The vision for this grand complex began in the late 1990s, fueled by the enthusiasm of Saudi football fans. Construction on the new stadium commenced in 2012, culminating in its official inauguration in 2014. Before the opening of King Abdullah Sports City, Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium was the main stadium in Jeddah, accommodating 24,000 spectators and hosting numerous memorable matches and events in Saudi football history.
The architectural design and engineering marvel of King Abdullah Sports City is credited to Arup Associates, with Arup serving as the structural and services engineer. The construction project was undertaken through a partnership between Saudi Aramco and a joint venture between Al Muhaidib Contracting Company and Belgian construction firm BESIX Group.
The stadium boasts a state-of-the-art field surface made of paspalum turfgrass, marketed as Pure Dynasty Seeded Paspalum, and provided by Atlas Turf International.
King Abdullah Sports City is more than just a stadium; it is a comprehensive sports and entertainment hub. Beyond the main stadium, the complex features three additional football fields and four smaller indoor arenas, catering to various sports activities. It also includes six tennis courts, a spacious indoor arena for diverse sports and events, and several mosques to accommodate the spiritual needs of visitors. The facility is further equipped with a modern media center, facilitating press conferences for players, coaches, and sports personalities.
The stadium's seating capacity is designed to accommodate a diverse audience, with the lower section containing 38 blocks, each with 631 seats (totaling 24,000 seats), the middle section comprising 48 blocks, each with 500 seats (totaling 24,000 seats), and the upper and smallest section featuring 48 blocks, each with 291 seats (totaling 14,000 seats). There are also private seats and designated parking spots for individuals with special needs.
Notably, the stadium achieved a record attendance of 62,345 spectators during a match between the Brazil national football team and the Argentina national football team.
Since its inauguration, King Abdullah Sports City has witnessed a series of historic sporting events. The inaugural match took place on May 1, 2014, featuring
Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab in the 2014 King's Cup final, captivating a massive audience of 62,241 fans. Al-Shabab emerged victorious with a 3–0 win, marking a memorable moment attended by then-King Abdullah, Crown Prince Salman, and Deputy Crown Prince Muqrin.
The stadium's rich history includes hosting local derbies, national team matches, and significant victories and defeats. It has seen notable goals, including the first goal scored by Fernando Menegazzo from a penalty kick, the first goal from open play by Al-Shabab's Muhannad Assiri, and the first hat-trick by Omar Al Soma in a match against Hajer. It has also been the site of several record-breaking matches in terms of attendance and goals scored.
Beyond football, King Abdullah Sports City has ventured into other sports and entertainment domains. It hosted WWE's Greatest Royal Rumble event in April 2018, featuring the first-ever 50-man Royal Rumble match and marking the start of a strategic partnership between WWE and Saudi Arabia's General Sports Authority in support of Saudi Vision 2030. WWE returned to Jeddah for Super ShowDown in June 2019, which featured the first-ever 50-man Battle Royal.
The complex's versatility extends to boxing as well. It hosted the final of the World Boxing Super Series: Cruiserweight tournament in May 2018, aligning with Saudi Arabia's commitment to developing the sport of boxing. Notably, the heavyweight boxing rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua was scheduled to take place at King Abdullah Sports City in August 2022, following Usyk's victory in their first encounter in London in September 2021.
King Abdullah Sports City stands as a beacon of sporting excellence and entertainment, providing a world-class venue for athletes, performers, and fans alike. With its ongoing contributions to sports and entertainment, it continues to be a symbol of Saudi Arabia's dynamic future.
