Populous reveals futuristic design for Saudi Arabia's new gaming hub

When a giant LED display, the largest in the world, lit up with the message “Hello World” on Independence Day in the US this year, it caught the eyeballs of many around the world. The rest of the world took note when the display, or the as it is popularly known, was inaugurated with a dazzling performance by U2.

Following the success of the Sphere, Populous, the architectural mastermind behind the spherical structure in Las Vegas, has set its sights on making an impact in the esports industry. The design giant recently revealed plans for the Qiddiya City Esports Arena, a futuristic gaming haven in Saudi Arabia that is poised to redefine the landscape of live gaming events.

The arena, a key component of the Quiddiya Giga project, boasts an unprecedented total area of video screens and aims to establish Saudi Arabia’s position as a global gaming hub. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. 's fervent embrace of esports is not just a passing trend but part of a larger strategy dubbed the National Gaming and Esports Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.

This ambitious plan aims to transform the nation into a global epicenter for gaming and esports, attracting up to 10 million visitors by 2030. Research conducted by Populous and YouGov in 2022 revealed a staggering 29% of the Saudi Arabian population to be keenly interested in esports, underscoring the demand for live gaming experiences.

The Qiddiya City Esports Arena, a key focus for the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, will become the world’s first mixed use gaming and esports district. Featuring a design that combines technological marvels with an immersive fan experience, the esports Arena is expected to set new benchmarks.

4D haptic sets enabling visitors to sense, feel, and even the action taking place in front of them add to a colossal central LED screen covering 3,600 sq m (~39,000 sq ft). The multifunctional venue will seat 5,155 people and leverage sightline studies carried out to optimize seating in the main auditorium and design tools to refine screen placement.

Together with the most advanced AV systems available, these features ensure a fully immersive experience for visitors. The future of esports arenas. Populous, renowned for its innovative designs in esports, has a distinguished portfolio that includes Esports Stadium Arlington, Fortress Melbourne, and the NBA 2K League Broadcast Arena.

“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,” said Rhys Courtney, a Senior Principal at Populous EMEA, in a . The arena manifests Qiddiya's 'Play Life' ethos and is designed with themed concourses, a central arcade, a food 'souk,' and retail spaces, offering fans a fantasy world even beyond the gaming action.

20% of the arena would account for premium hospitality, where themes aligned with gaming culture would be embraced instead of conventional hospitality. Populous emphasized the attention given to designing the back of house and event production spaces, intended to make the venue dear to fans, brands, athletes, and promoters..