The state of Saudi Arabia continues its thriving construction activities with plans for a new city focused on entertainment, sports, and culture. Qiddiya City, located about 30 miles southwest of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is set to be completed by 2031. This city, costing around £260 billion, is designed to be three times larger than Paris and is expected to accommodate approximately 500,000 residents upon completion.
Some attractions within Qiddiya City, such as the Six Flags and Aquarabia theme parks, are already operational. The Qiddiya Speed Park Track is preparing to host the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix starting in 2028, while the Prince Mohammed bin Salman sports venue is on track to be finished by 2029, ahead of hosting matches for the 2034 World Cup.
One interesting feature of this project is the National Tennis Centre, which bears a striking resemblance to the All-England Tennis Club at Wimbledon. The facility, consisting of 30 courts, is being designed by Populous, the same architectural firm behind Wimbledon’s iconic retractable roof on Centre Court.
Developers of the National Tennis Centre emphasize its world-class facilities, including elite training and wellness amenities, vibrant public spaces, and two multi-purpose arenas with retractable roofs capable of hosting various events apart from tennis. The complex will feature 28 hard courts and 2 clay courts, with the Centre Court accommodating about 15,000 spectators.
In a bid to diversify its economy beyond oil, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives include projects like Qiddiya City, Neom smart city, and the Red Sea tourism project. The National Tennis Centre aims to enhance sports participation in the Kingdom and support both grassroots initiatives and elite talent development. The center, along with a championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, is poised to position Qiddiya City as a prominent global destination for entertainment, sports, and culture.
Abdullah Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, expressed the belief in the transformative power of play embodied by the National Tennis Centre. He highlighted the vision of creating a top-tier tennis venue for players of all levels, fostering talent, and promoting sports participation and tourism in alignment with Vision 2030.
Eno Polo, CEO of the ATP, praised the National Tennis Centre as a significant addition to the global tennis landscape. He emphasized the role of such world-class facilities in advancing the sport regionally and providing diverse opportunities for engagement with tennis at various levels. The center is expected to have a lasting impact on tennis development in the region for years to come.
