Kingdom Arena (Arabic: المملكة أرينا, romanized: al-Mamlakah 'Arina), also known as Boulevard Hall (Arabic: قاعة البوليفارد, romanized: qaeat albulifard) during construction, is an association football stadium located in the Hittin neighborhood of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The stadium seats 30,000 spectators in its football configuration and has a retractable roof.
المملكة أرينا al-Mamlakah 'Arina | |
 | |
 | |
| Former names | Boulevard Hall (2023) |
|---|---|
| Location | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Owner | Boulevard Hall |
| Operator | General Entertainment Authority |
| Capacity | 27,000 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2023 |
| Built | 2023–2024 |
| Opened | October 28, 2023 |
| Tenants | |
| Al Hilal SFC (2024-) | |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
History
editThe stadium was built in 180 days and accommodates 30,000 people, including 20 luxury boxes. It has a retractable roof and a four-sided video screen suspended over the center.[1] In September 2023, the Kingdom Holding Company obtained the management rights to operate the stadium as the home of Al Hilal SFC. As part of the agreement, it also received the naming rights to the stadium.[2]
The first football match to be played at the stadium was a friendly match on 29 January 2024 (corresponding to the 2024 Riyadh Season Cup) between Al Hilal and Inter Miami, which ended in Al Hilal winning 4–3.[3]
On 8 February 2024, the stadium received two Guinness World Records for the largest covered football stadium and the highest capacity for an indoor covered stadium.[4]
Events
editBoxing
edit- October 28, 2023 – Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou
- December 23, 2023 – Anthony Joshua vs. Otto Wallin
- March 8, 2024 – Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou
- May 18, 2024 – Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk
- June 1, 2024 – Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5
- October 12, 2024 - Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol
- December 21, 2024 - Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II
Mixed martial arts
edit- February 24, 2024 – PFL vs. Bellator
- June 22, 2024 – UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov
Association football
edit- January 29, 2024 – Al Hilal vs. Inter Miami
- February 1, 2024 – Al Nassr vs. Inter Miami
- February 8, 2024 – Al Hilal vs. Al Nassr
- September 27, 2024 – Al Ahly vs. Zamalek
Women's Cup
editSAFF Women's Cup Final
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Halligan, Neil (31 January 2024). "Inside Riyadh's Kingdom Arena, Saudi Arabia's new sports and entertainment centre". The National. Abu Dhabi. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ El-Assasy, Ahmad (29 January 2024). "Kingdom Arena Stadium Ready for Riyadh Season Cup". Leaders MENA. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ Kaufman, Michelle (29 January 2024). "Messi, Suarez, Ruiz score, but Inter Miami loses friendly 4-3 to Saudi club Al Hilal". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Wael, Ragya (9 February 2024). "Kingdom Arena Receives Two Guinness World Records". Leaders MENA. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
24°46′43″N 46°36′21″E / 24.77861°N 46.60583°E
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