Hasta La Ideas

Following the unveiling of Foster + Partners’ design for a 100,000-seat stadium for Manchester United, we take a look at the wave of major football stadiums being planned and developed around the world.

With numerous football stadiums planned for the upcoming World Cups in 2026 and 2030, as well as several high-profile club sides looking to upgrade their facilities, there are a huge number of stadiums currently under development.

Read on for upcoming stadiums set to be built across the world in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Italy, Norway and the UK.

Manchester United stadium, UK, by Foster + Partners

Unveiled earlier this week, Manchester United‘s proposed stadium would be the largest in the UK if it gets built.

The 100,000-seat stadium will be covered by a tent-like structure that would extend above the surrounding, public outdoor spaces and be propped up by three masts.

“The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square,” said Foster + Partners founder Norman Foster.

“The outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature,” he continued.

Find out more about Manchester United’s new stadium ›

Grand Stade Hassan II, Morocco, by Oualalou + Choi and Populous

Also covered in a tent-like structure, but with an even larger capacity, the Grand Stade Hassan II stadium is planned as the centrepiece of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco.

Planned for the city of Benslimane around 40 kilometres from Casablanca, the 115,000-seat stadium will be the world’s largest football stadium if constructed.

“The Grand Stade Hassan II will be a truly iconic, landmark venue for Morocco and for football itself, that will become one of the great stadia of the world,” said Populous managing director for the EMEA region Christopher Lee.

Find out more about Grand Stade Hassan II ›

King Salman International Stadium, Saudi Arabia, by Populous

Another huge stadium under development also aiming to host a World Cup final is the King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh.

Designed by Populous, the architecture studio behind six stadiums on this list, the 92,000-seat venue is being built for the 2030 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. According to the studio, the stadium’s design was informed by mountains, and landscaped panels will enclose the structure.

“The stadium will blend into its surrounding topography, with terrain and natural habitat forming part of the stadium’s roof,” said the official World Cup submission.

“Aside from its aesthetic appeal, this design will provide effective shading and ventilation tailored to the desert climate.”

Find out more about King Salman International Stadium ›

Neom Stadium, Saudi Arabia, by Populous

Another of the 15 stadiums that will host games during the World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the Neom Stadium will be built on top of the controversial The Line mega city.

Few details of the design have been revealed, but it will form part of the first section of the city, which is call the Hidden Marina.

“Neom Stadium will be the most unique stadium in the world,” the official bid submission stated.

“With a pitch situated more than 350 meters above ground, stunning vistas, and a roof created from the city itself, the stadium will be an experience like no other.”

Find out more about Neom Stadium ›

AS Roma stadium, Italy, by Populous

In Italy, Populous is designing a stadium for top-tier football club AS Roma. Designed to be a new landmark for the city, the 65,000-seat stadium will replace the Stadio Olimpico, which the club has shared with fierce rival Lazio since 1953 as AS Roma’s home.

The stadium will be surrounded by vertical fins to give it a form “inspired by classical Roman architecture”.

Find out more about AS Roma stadium ›

STōK Cae Ras stadium, UK, by Populous

On a smaller scale, Populous is also designing a new stand for Stand at Wrexham AFC’s STōK Cae Ras stadium in Wales.

Part of the club’s ambitious growth plans under the ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the brick-clad stand will have a capacity of 5,550.

“The physical design of the facade at the back of the stand takes inspiration from the local brickwork and the city’s ‘Terracottapolis’ nickname, to link it to the generations of fans that have visited the ground in the past,” said Populous global director Declan Sharkey.

Find out more about STōK Cae Ras stadium ›

Forest Green Rovers stadium, UK, by Zaha Hadid Architects

On a similar scale, Zaha Hadid Architects is designing a 5,000-seat stadium in England for Forest Green Rovers.

Set to be the world’s first all-timber stadium, the structure was first unveiled in 2019 and is slowly making its way through the planning process.

Find out more about Forest Green Rovers stadium ›

Al-Ahly football club stadium, Egypt, by Gensler

In Egypt, architecture studio Gensler is designing an undulating stadium near Cairo for top-flight football club Al-Ahly.

The 42,000-seat stadium will have a sunken football pitch and a curving asymmetric facade with an arched window on one side, giving views of the pitch from a public square.

Find out more about Al-Ahly football club stadium ›

Arctic Arena, Norway, by Nordic Office of Architecture

In Bodø, Norway, Oslo-based studio Nordic Office of Architecture has designed a faceted, 10,000-seat stadium for the FK Bodø/Glimt football club.

Named Arctic Arena, the stadium was informed by the rawness of the country’s landscape.

“Designed with respect for the Arctic climate, northern Norwegian rawness and timeless Nordic architecture, Arctic Arena emerges as a new icon,” said Nordic Office of Architecture partner Knut Hovland.

Find out more about Arctic Arena ›

Qiddiya Coast Stadium, Saudi Arabia, by Populous

Also a Saudi World Cup stadium, the colourful Qiddiya Coast Stadium will be built 45 kilometres to the north of Jeddah.

According to the official bid document, the colourful fins surrounding the stadium were designed to evoke the idea of a Mexican wave.

“It is designed as a physical representation of the vibrant relationship between people and water, energy and matter, with its design also evoking the ripple effect of a Mexican wave,” said the bid. “Its form undulates; its vibrant color palette is rich and joyful.”

Find out more about Qiddiya Coast Stadium ›

The post Ten ambitious future football stadiums set to be built around the world appeared first on Dezeen.