Designer of Sphere reveals plans for Saudi esports arena

The global design company behind Las Vegas’s Sphere has revealed plans for an esports venue in Saudi Arabia.

London-based Populous’s Qiddiya City Esports Arena will form part of the multi-billion poundQiddiya Gaming and Esports District ‘giga-project’ under development near the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The 5,155-seat esports venue will feature 3,600 sq metres of video screens – the largest in an esports arena – which will form a ‘digital chandelier’ above the seating area for gamers.

Populous said the arena's world-class AV capabilities and engineered sightlines will create a "fully immersive and ever-changing experience for visitors".

Like Sphere, the venue will offer 4D haptic seats that shift and shudder to enable visitors to sense and feel the action taking place in front of them.

Two concourses will wrap around the main auditorium, offering breakout zones for gaming, a food court and retail outlets. An ‘immersive entertainment zone’ will include self-checkout markets and gaming bars.

Rhys Courtney, a senior principal at Populous EMEA, said: “We are proud to have been able to combine our extensive knowledge of esports facilities and technology with Qiddiya’s vision to create a world-leading arena for competitors and fans alike. This arena will be unique in esports in both scale and user experience.”

Shireen Hamdan, senior principal and general Manager of Populous KSA, said: “The Qiddiya City Esport Arena is a state-of-the-art esports venue that will serve as a centrepiece for this incredible global gaming hub.”