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Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia is quietly shelving plans for one of its most ambitious World Cup venues, the NEOM Stadium, according to two sources with knowledge of the plans. The move comes after significant delays and a downscaling of the NEOM mega-project, which includes the futuristic The Line development where the stadium was to be located. The expected cost of the 46,000-seat arena had been placed at $2.5 billion, with MEED data listing it as on hold and without a completion date.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund that owns NEOM, confirmed in April that The Line was no longer a priority and not essential before 2030 while denying any cancellations. Sources however told Reuters the stadium project has now been shelved indefinitely. Neither NEOM nor the Saudi government media office responded to requests for comment from the news agency.
The Saudi Ministry of Sports referred inquiries to the World Cup 2034 Hosting Higher Authority, which stated that substantial delivery of construction milestones for the event was taking place. The authority provided images of other stadiums under construction but offered no specifics on the NEOM facility. Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 tournament features 15 venues across several cities, with 11 of them new builds.
This development aligns with a broader recalibration of the kingdom’s giga-projects, as the Public Investment Fund focuses resources on time-sensitive initiatives including the 2030 Expo in Riyadh. According to reports, NEOM has seen multiple contract cancellations and the postponement of the 2029 Asian Winter Games that were to be held in the region. The Line project itself has been significantly scaled back from initial ambitious plans.
Industry data indicates other World Cup-related stadiums and facilities are progressing, with completion targets ranging from 2026 to 2033. The adjustments reflect pressure on Saudi budgets amid regional tensions and fluctuating oil revenues, prompting a strategic shift in Vision 2030 priorities. Sources familiar with the matter said the kingdom remains committed to delivering a successful World Cup while adapting its mega-developments accordingly.
