King Saud University Stadium

{{short description|Multi-purpose stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia}}

{{Infobox venue

| stadium_name = King Saud University Stadium
{{small|Al-Awwal Park}}
الأول بارك

| logo_image = ALAWWAL PARK logo.svg

| logo_size = 165px

| image = Entire King Saud University Stadium.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption = View from inside Al-Awwal Park

| location = Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

| broke_ground = 2011

| built = 2011–2014

| opened = {{start date|2015|05|07|df=y}}

| reopened = {{start date and age|2032}} (planned)

| renovated = 2020

{{start date and age|2030}} (planned)

| publictransit = File:Riyadh Metro Logo.svg King Saud University Station

| owner = King Saud University

| operator = Saudi Media Company (SMC)

| surface = Grass

| construction_cost = 13px 215 million

| builder = Hashem Contracting Company

| former_names = King Saud University Stadium (2015–2020)
Mrsool Park (2020–2023)
Al-Awwal Park (2023–present)

| tenants = Al-Hilal (2018–2020)
Al-Nassr (2020–present)

| seating_capacity = 25,000 (to be expanded to 46,319 for 2034 FIFA World Cup

| dimensions = Field of play: 105m × 68m
Pitch area: 125m × 85m

| website = {{URL|https://www.victoryarena.com//|victoryarena.com}}

}}

King Saud University Stadium (KSUS) ({{Langx|ar|ملعب جامعة الملك سعود|ʿmaleab Jāmiʿah al-Malik Saʿūd}}), known as Al-Awwal Park ({{Langx|ar|الأول بارك}}) due to sponsorship reasons, is an association football stadium located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In September 2020, Saudi Media Company (SMC) obtained the management rights for operating the stadium. In October 2020, SMC signed a deal with Al Nassr FC for the Al-Awwal Park to become their home stadium.{{cite web | url=http://stadiumdb.com/news/2020/12/saudi_arabia_king_saud_university_stadium_changes_the_name_and_will_undergo_a_serious_facelift | title=Saudi Arabia: KSU Stadium changes name and will undergo a serious facelift |website=stadiumdb.com |date=15 December 2020 }} The stadium has a current capacity of 25,000.

It is set to be a venue for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and has a proposed capacity of 46,319 people following refurbishments, where it will host fixtures in the group stage and round of 32.https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/5590de2b652bef03/original/The-Saudi-Arabia-FIFA-World-Cup-2034-Bid-Book.pdf It will also host matches for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, specifically the group stage and round of 16.https://assets.the-afc.com/migration/e/x/ext-ac-2027-bid-book-saudi-arabia--pdf

Description

= Refurbishments =

The stadium began construction in 2011 and was opened in May of 2015. Refurbishments will take place from 2030 to 2032, in preparations for the 2034 World Cup.

The renovated stadium will feature an elliptical lightweight spoke-wheel roof and strategically placed amenities designed to ensure accessibility and compliance with FIFA standards. Located on the King Saud University campus in western Riyadh, the stadium offers convenient access from the city center. Surrounding the stadium are additional sports facilities, such as an arena, swimming pool, and tennis courts. Adjacent to the venue is the bustling U Walk, a mixed-use King Saud University development that includes commercial and retail spaces.

= Post-2034 =

Following the World Cup, the stadium will serve as the home for King Saud University teams, supporting university sports, community activities, and women’s football. At this stage, part of the upper tier will be removed, reducing the stadium’s capacity to 33,000.

History

The construction work on the campus of King Saud University in Western Riyadh started in Spring 2011 and the opening took place in May 2015.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} The construction work was commissioned to Hashem Contracting Company, based on designs by Michael KC Cheah and his wife Steph, expanding their architectural portfolio of Saudi-based football stadia.

Hashem Contracting Company delivered the stadium following specifications (and FIFA rules for international games) within the budget of 215 million riyals ($57m). The stadium may seem soil-brown or gold depending on the sunlight due to its perforated and metallic outer skin. Mrsool Park went through a renovation at the end of 2020 and this will continue going forward to transform it into a young and family-friendly destination with fan zones and entertainment areas for everyone to enjoy.{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.victoryarena.com/en |website=Victory arena |publisher=Saudi Media Company (Operator) |access-date=25 March 2021 |ref=Opera}}

In 2020, the stadium went through a re-branding operation becoming Mrsool Park in November 2020, following the signing with the delivery company Mrsool.

In 2021, the stadium hosted the Maradona Cup between Boca Juniors and FC Barcelona to honor Diego Maradona, who died the previous year.{{cite web|url=https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/maradona-cup-the-impressive-stadium-where-barcelona-and-boca-juniors-will-meet-20211118-0014.html|title=Maradona Cup: The impressive stadium where Barcelona and Boca Juniors will meet|date=18 November 2021|publisher=BolaVIP|access-date=12 December 2021}}

In April 2023, the stadium was renamed Al-Awwal Park after Saudi Awwal Bank signed a $15 million sponsorship deal for the next three years.{{cite news |last=Badughaish |first=Salem |date=5 April 2023 |title=Cristiano Ronaldo's club Al-Nassr renames the stadium. |url=https://www.footballbusinessjournal.com/post/cristiano-ronaldo-s-club-al-nassr-renames-the-stadium |work=Football Business Journal |access-date=25 September 2023}}