SAUDI Aramco, the kingdom’s oil giant, is all set to start work in January on the construction of 11 new state-of-the-art stadiums across the country.

The company will present bidding conditions for local and international companies to qualify for the project, said an Arab News report.

All the stadiums are expected to be completed in two years’ time. The new stadiums, which will have a capacity of 45,000 spectators, will be similar to the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

Saudi Aramco will give local contracting companies the opportunity to compete with international firms for the projects, said the report.

This came after as many as 350 Saudi contractors urged the company for a chance to participate in the projects.