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| Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Name | Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium |
| Location | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| Opened | 1970 |
| Renovated | 2009, 2014 |
| Capacity | 27,000 |
| Owner | General Presidency of Youth Welfare |
| Operator | Al-Ittihad Club |
| Surface | Grass |
| Tenants | Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli |
Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, used primarily for association football and regional sporting events. The venue has hosted matches involving clubs and national teams from the Saudi Pro League, AFC competitions, and Mediterranean Cup fixtures, drawing spectators from across the Hejaz region, the Arabian Peninsula, and international delegations.
The stadium opened in 1970 during the reign of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia and was named after Prince Abdullah al-Faisal, linking it to the legacy of the House of Saud, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sports policy and regional development initiatives. Early fixtures featured clubs such as Al-Ittihad Club (Jeddah), Al-Ahli Saudi FC, and touring teams from the Egypt national football team, Iraq national football team, and Syria national football team. Over decades the venue staged matches in tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Football Confederation and the Union of Arab Football Associations, and served as a site for state and municipal ceremonies tied to the Municipality of Jeddah and the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee. The stadium's role evolved as professionalization of the Saudi Pro League intensified and private investment in Saudi sport increased during initiatives associated with the General Sports Authority (Saudi Arabia).
The stadium exhibits late-1960s and 1970s modernist design influences reflecting construction trends found in regional projects such as the King Fahd International Stadium and the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Complex projects. Seating is arranged in a horseshoe configuration with covered stands on certain sides, while the pitch conforms to regulations from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association and the Asian Football Confederation. Facilities include locker rooms used by clubs like Al-Ittihad Club (Jeddah) and Al-Ahli Saudi FC, media zones configured for broadcasters including Al Arabiya and beIN Sports, VIP boxes hosting delegations from the Saudi Royal Court, and medical suites coordinated with Saudi Red Crescent Authority protocols. Ancillary amenities reflect municipal standards aligned with the Jeddah Corniche urban plan and accommodate press operations for agencies such as Reuters, Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse.
Regular tenants have included Al-Ittihad Club (Jeddah) and Al-Ahli Saudi FC, which have contested domestic derbies drawing attention from continental bodies like the AFC Champions League and the Gulf Club Champions Cup. The stadium hosted fixtures in tournaments featuring national teams from the Gulf Cooperation Council members and matches in regional competitions involving clubs from Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman. It has also accommodated concerts and civic gatherings attended by performers and delegations connected to the General Entertainment Authority and cultural exchanges with institutions such as the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). High-profile matches have attracted international referees accredited by FIFA and VAR deployments aligned with protocols from the International Football Association Board.
Renovation phases occurred to meet evolving standards set by the Asian Football Confederation and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. Upgrades in 2009 and 2014 addressed seating, floodlighting compliant with FIFA broadcast lux levels, and pitch drainage systems using technologies similar to installations at the King Abdullah Sports City. Renovations also targeted safety frameworks consistent with guidance from the International Association of Venue Managers and security coordination with the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia). Media facilities were modernized to host broadcasters like beIN Sports and Sky Sports Arabia, while hospitality areas were refurbished to accommodate guests from entities such as the Saudi Football Federation and visiting club boards.
Situated in the Al-Matar district of Jeddah, the stadium is proximate to the King Abdulaziz International Airport corridor and connected to urban arteries that link to the Jeddah Corniche and the historic Al-Balad district. Access routes serve supporters traveling from municipal districts and pilgrim transit routes associated with Mecca and Medina during seasonal peaks. Public transport and shuttle services coordinate with the Jeddah Municipality and event-day plans often liaise with the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), private coaches, and logistics partners used by clubs participating in the Saudi Pro League.
The stadium has been the subject of crowd-control and safety scrutiny, particularly after high-attendance derbies involving Al-Ittihad Club (Jeddah) and Al-Ahli Saudi FC, prompting reviews by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and municipal authorities. Media reports and governance reviews have discussed ticketing disputes and infrastructure limitations contrasted with the capacities of newer venues such as King Abdullah Sports City. Security incidents have required coordination with the Ministry of Interior (Saudi Arabia) and emergency response by the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, while legal and administrative inquiries engaged offices within the Municipality of Jeddah and national sports regulators.
Category:Football venues in Saudi Arabia Category:Sports venues in Jeddah