Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya mega-project to include world’s first gaming and esport district

Qiddiya, the Saudi Arabian entertainment city being built near the city of Riyadh, has unveiled plans for what it claims will be the world’s first multi-use gaming and esports district with themed hotels, indoor arenas, real estate and retail.

One of the giga/mega-projects being developed under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 masterplan, Qiddiya will include the gaming and esports district as part of plans to attract gamers from across the world and cement Saudi Arabia as a global centre for the industry and is also a key element of Saudi Arabia’s National Strategy for Gaming and Esports.

Announcing the plans, Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), explained “the gaming and esports sector is one of the fastest growing, and we can see the ambitious plans of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to advance it.

“Our role will be to host major events and tournaments by developing the infrastructure so that Qiddiya City can invite the world to live, learn and compete in gaming and esports”.

“The gaming and esports district in Qiddiya City is not only for esports professionals, but rather for gaming enthusiasts of all levels and ages.

“This district turns the world of gaming into a tangible reality. This area will be the place where the gaming community feels welcome.”

Designed by Populous, the district is expected to include four arenas designed to the highest standards to host the most prominent global events in the gaming sector throughout the year, with the capacity of the stadium reaching 73,000 seats.

One of the venues will have 5,300 seats - making it one of the three largest esports stadiums in the world - along with the largest indoor LED screen among all esports areas around the world.

Covering more than 500,000 metre², including 100,000 metre² dedicated to retail, dining and entertainment, the district will also host up to 25 esports clubs from around the world to live, train and compete and is expected to become a place for gamers from all walks of life to live, work and play, with gaming-themed apartments and hotels.

Venue Experience
Explaining the design philosophy for the main arena, Populous advised that it is centred on creating a fantasy world for fans, providing a completely immersive esports and gaming experience.

The general admission experience includes two concourses wrapping around the seating bowl, offering unique designs and functions. These include a centralised arcade with breakout zones for gaming, a food ‘souk’, retail and an immersive entertainment zone.

This design ambition extends to the food and beverage offering, providing variety and choice through diverse typologies such as self-checkout markets and gaming bars. Many of these spaces can be operated prior to an event or fully on non-event days, with access from the podium, which increases the operation of the venue and its integration into the community.

Premium hospitality, constituting 20% of the arena, introduces six unique concepts, declining standard hospitality conventions in favour of themes aligned with gaming culture. Populous said “meticulous attention” has also been given to the design of the back-of-house and event production spaces.

Rhys Courtney, Senior Principal at Populous EMEA, stated “we are proud to have been able to combine our extensive knowledge of esports facilities and technology with Qiddiya’s vision to create a world-leading arena for competitors and fans alike. This arena will be unique in esports in both scale and user experience.”

Qiddiya City vision
The announcement comes just days after Saudi Arabian Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the QIC, Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, launched the urban design for Qiddiya City and Qiddiya’s brand.

Qiddiya’s first offering will be Qiddiya City, with 60,000 buildings in an overall area of 360 kilometres², it will eventually host over 600,000 residents.

Located 40 minutes from Riyadh centre and overlooking the cliffs of the Tuwaiq mountains, Qiddiya City will include the gaming and esports district, a speed park track, golf courses, a water theme park and Six Flags Qiddiya.

The city will also feature the new 40,000-capacity Qiddiya Stadium, a multipurpose venue that will host games at the AFC 2027 Asian Cup.

Images: Concepts for Qiddiya's multi-use gaming and esports district. Credit: QIC.