The future of stadiums: Saudi Arabia’s shift to smart and sustainable facilities
Saudi Arabia is advancing a bold vision to become a global leader in sport through the development of smart, sustainable, and commercially viable stadium infrastructure. Technology – particularly artificial intelligence (AI) – will be a critical catalyst for this ambition, according to a study from Elm.
With its sights set on becoming a global powerhouse in sports, Saudi Arabia plans to invest $38 billion in the sector by 2030. These investments span multiple areas, including stadiums – which are central to the Kingdom’s ability to host major global events such as the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, and the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
The 40-page Elm report highlights how Saudi Arabia’s stadium development programme has laid a solid foundation for a new global standard in sports infrastructure – one centred on flexibility, technology integration, sustained utilisation, and long-term public value. This approach aims to ensure that stadiums are designed as multi-purpose venues for enduring use.
Technology is singled out as a key success factor: “As stadiums take on more complex, year-round functions, advanced technologies are being integrated to manage operations, reduce costs, and enhance the visitor experience. AI plays a pivotal role, supporting energy optimisation, crowd management, facility maintenance, and fan personalisation,” the report notes.
The role of AI
From optimising scheduling and gate allocation to enhancing energy efficiency, retail operations, fan engagement, and visitor experiences, AI can transform stadiums from static assets into dynamic, data-driven, multi-use hubs. To unlock this potential, Elm emphasises that AI must be embedded not as an add-on, but as a core layer of stadium operations – integrated into facility design, management protocols, and commercial strategies from the outset.
AI-driven insights also need to be embedded throughout the entire stadium lifecycle. This entails strengthening data infrastructure, ensuring seamless system integration, and fostering innovation partnerships that extend well beyond individual events.
If executed effectively, “AI-enabled stadiums can deliver long-term economic, environmental, and experiential value, positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of global sports infrastructure innovation.”
To explore the full findings and strategic implications, download the report.
