Qiddiya Investment Co. announced on June 15 plans for a National Tennis Center at its Qiddiya City development, a 30-court complex that will include two venues with retractable roofs and seating for 33,000 spectators.
Qiddiya City is one of the flagship developments of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The Public Investment Fund-backed project is planned as a sports, entertainment and culture destination that includes the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, a sports and games district, theme parks, residential districts and transport infrastructure.
The developer said the project will be led by a joint venture of France-based Bouygues Bâtiment International and Saudi Arabia-based Almabani General Contractors under a design-build contract. Populous serves as lead architect, interior designer and lead planner.
Thornton Tomasetti is a structural and facade engineer, Langan is a civil and geotechnical engineer, ME Engineers is an MEP consultant, AESG is a sustainability consultant and STRI is a sports surface consultant. Construction began with the first works in February 2025, according to Qiddiya.
The National Tennis Center will include a 15,000-seat center court, a 5,000-seat court, a 2,000-seat court and an 8,000-seat court.
High Performance Training Center planned
According to the developer’s website, the facility will include 28 hard courts and two clay courts, a high-performance gym and training center, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy suites, athlete recovery and wellness spaces, player lounges, dedicated locker rooms and a media center with conference rooms.
Qiddiya said the center court and arena will each feature a two-piece sliding retractable roof system capable of creating a 54m opening above the playing surface. The roofs can go from closed to fully open in five to seven minutes, the developer told ENR, and can be partially adjusted during the game to manage court shade and playing conditions.
Looking for quick answers on construction and engineering topics?
Try Ask ENR, our new intelligent AI search tool.
Ask ENR →
“The National Tennis Center in Qiddiya City will become a major new destination for elite tennis tournaments,” said Shireen Hamdan, Global Director of Populous and Managing Director of Populous KSA, in a statement.
“[A]”At no other elite sports facility, whether for tennis or any other sport, do you see such a seamless integration of elite sports facilities and the community,” Hamdan added.
Populous has worked as an architect on numerous high-profile sports projects in the United States, including the new Buffalo Bills stadium under construction in New York, as well as Yankee Stadium and T-Mobile Arena.
Located approximately 45 km west of Riyadh, the complex is integrated into the Tuwaiq Mountain landscape and incorporates layered green facades woven into the surrounding terrain. The center is adjacent to a championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo and future residential, office and retail development.
Qiddiya said the project’s limited footprint has required detailed logistical planning for equipment, materials and the construction phase. The developer said high winds have affected tower crane operations and increased reliance on mobile cranes, while dust control measures and rain management plans were implemented to maintain site operations.
RELATED
Digging Deeper: Project team battles the elements to complete Buffalo’s football stadium for next season
Sustainability measures include living wall installations in the tennis center buildings, including the center court, to reduce surface and ambient temperatures and improve air quality, the developer said. Irrigation systems will use recycled water treated for non-potable applications.
The project incorporates concrete mixes with low carbon emissions that reduce the volume of conventional concrete required. Procurement specifications also prioritize suppliers of recycled steel. Traditional generators are also being replaced by battery-powered systems. The project aims to divert or recycle at least 80% of construction waste.
“We are building a world-class home for tennis at all levels, where the best players in the world can compete [and] the next generation of Saudi talent can reach their potential,” Qiddiya Investment Co. CEO Abdullah Aldawood said in a statement.
The project website notes that the National Tennis Center is being built to ATP, WTA and International Tennis Federation standards. In addition to the tennis competition, the center court and pavilion are designed to host concerts, sporting events and other cultural programming.
Other Qiddiya projects include the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium and a sports and games district. The developer did not disclose the value of the project or the expected completion date.
