Amid viral AI-generated images of a “floating” football arena, Saudi Arabia has confirmed that its real NEOM Stadium will indeed be a groundbreaking part of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, though not quite as gravity-defying as social media suggests.
According to Saudi Arabia’s official World Cup bid, the NEOM Stadium is envisioned as the world’s first elevated football venue, suspended approximately 350 meters above ground within THE LINE, the Kingdom’s futuristic linear city. Designed to seat around 46,000 spectators, the stadium will operate entirely on renewable wind and solar energy, aligning with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.
Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with completion set for 2032, in time for the tournament. Beyond the World Cup, the venue will serve as a permanent home for a NEOM-based professional football club, ensuring long-term use and community engagement.
The NEOM Stadium is one of 15 venues proposed for the 2034 event, alongside major projects such as King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh and Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar, all emphasizing sustainability and legacy value. While the viral “sky-floating” visuals are AI concept art, the real project represents a bold architectural step toward the future of global sports infrastructure. 
Source: designboom.com with additional information added by Glass Balkan
