Some countries build stadiums Saudi Arabia to suspend one in the air the kingdom, fresh of it’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA world cup has proposed sky stadium 350 meters above the desert floor – part of Neom’s sci-fi mirage known as the line.
If it’s sound like something out of dystopian video game trailer, that’s because it basically futuristic shiny and gravity-defying-it’s the architectural equivalent of a humblebrag saying, “We have transcended physics and human right in one go.” Supposedly sitting around 46000 fans. the stadium will be cradled high within Neom’s mirrored tower because why suffer in desert heat when you can roast mid-air instead? Access will be via high-speed elevator and autonomous pods, and the entire thing will be allegedly run on renewables.
It’s as if FIFA meets blade runner meets a very expensive air conditioner. But behind the slick renderings and ESG buzzwords lies the real Saudi game plan – to own the global narrative of 21st century. Oil money built empires; sport is meant to humanise them. Hosting a world cup is no longer about football.
it’s about symbolism, image and rebranding the desert. Of course, skeptics point out of the obvious: Neom itself is barely of the drawing board, let alone 350 meters stadium floating in the clouds. Even if it gets built there the minor issue of fan logistics, worker conditions, whether FIFA’s idea of sustainability now includes constructing a literal sky piece.