Saudi Arabia’s groundbreaking New Murabba project in northwestern Riyadh is accelerating at a remarkable pace, forging global partnerships and pushing forward with infrastructure developments that will transform the capital’s urban future.

Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), New Murabba is a $50-billion, 19-sq-km mixed-use development at the heart of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, aimed at creating a vibrant downtown district that integrates innovation, sustainability and cultural depth.

This ambitious urban development is designed to deliver a future-ready, mixed-use downtown on an unprecedented scale, featuring 18 new neighbourhoods and setting new benchmarks in sustainability, technology integration, and urban vibrancy.

In a major announcement, New Murabba awarded the design contract for its 45,000-seat flagship stadium to UK-based engineering and design firm Arup.

Dyke and Frost sign the deal for the Murabba Stadium.

Arup’s scope of work encompasses design, advisory, and planning, as well as operational advisory insights and optimisation, to ensure the stadium seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices, reflecting New Murabba’s vision for a future-ready, world-class destination.

The iconic stadium is being developed as part of preparations for FIFA World Cup 2034, which Saudi Arabia is set to host.

Described as “smart, sustainable and bold”, the stadium will serve not only as a premier sporting venue but as a landmark destination within New Murabba’s broader entertainment ecosystem. 

New Murabba Development Company’s  CEO Michael Dyke underscored the stadium’s role as both a catalyst for Riyadh’s entertainment scene and a global sporting destination in its own right. “This stadium is not just a venue. It’s a destination in itself and a key part of our downtown vision,” said Dyke, at the signing with Arup Group CEO Jerome Frost.

Dyke added that Arup’s global expertise will ensure the stadium is a future-ready hub poised to welcome the world to Riyadh.

The iconic stadium is being developed as part of preparations for FIFA World Cup 2034.

Korean partnerships

As the project accelerates, New Murabba is deepening its international footprint through a string of strategic alliances. In Seoul, the company signed a design-focused agreement with Korean architecture giant Heerim Architects & Planners to enhance masterplan elements such as anchor assets, linear parks, and smart city infrastructure.

Heerim, renowned for its work on large-scale urban and cultural projects across Asia and the Middle East, will bring distinctive architectural overlays to complement the development’s urban vision.

“Our partnership with Heerim reinforces our continued commitment to working with world-class architectural leaders to deliver a city that is iconic, immersive, and deeply human-centric,” said Dyke during the signing ceremony with Heerim Chairman and CEO Young Kyoon Jeong.

Also in Seoul, New Murabba inked a three-year agreement with Naver Cloud Corp to explore the deployment of cutting-edge technologies across the development. This includes robotics, autonomous vehicles, a smart city platform, and digital construction monitoring tools.

Naver Cloud CEO Kim Yu-won said the collaboration aims to turn New Murabba into “the benchmark and core infrastructure of a new future city,” aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader innovation goals under Vision 2030.

The announcements were made at New Murabba’s Investment and Partnership Forum in Seoul, which brought together over 500 delegates including investors, developers, technology firms, and government officials. The two-day, invitation-only event featured scale models, virtual reality showcases, and detailed presentations of New Murabba’s master plan and investment prospects.

The heart of New Murabba is anchored by The Mukaab, a 400-m-high, cuboid skyscraper set to become one of the world’s largest built structures.

Excavation work has already passed 14 million cu m – equal to around 5,400 Olympic swimming pools – underscoring the scale and pace of progress. Construction is advancing towards structural phases, laying the groundwork for the vertical rise of this iconic mixed-use landmark, which will feature immersive AI and holography-driven experiences. A world-first holography centre and AI-powered urban spaces will showcase technological innovation and digital artistry at the project’s core.

Upon completion, New Murabba will house over 100,000 residential units, more than 10,000 hotel rooms, and a comprehensive suite of civic amenities including schools, hospitals, and healthcare centres.

The monumental development blends retail, tourism, hospitality, residential, and commercial elements within a high-tech, culturally inspired setting. It will also offer hundreds of thousands of square metres of retail and commercial space, and more than 80 cultural and entertainment venues. The development is expected to generate over 300,000 new jobs and will serve as a focal point for key upcoming global events such as Riyadh Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034.

Arup, Heerim, and Naver Cloud join an existing roster that includes Bechtel, AtkinsRéalis, China Harbour Engineering Company, and the local STC Group.