View from inside Al-Awwal Park | |
![]() Interactive map of King Saud University Stadium Al-Awwal Park الأول بارك | |
| Former names | King Saud University Stadium (2015–2020) Mrsool Park (2020–2023) Al-Awwal Park (2023–present) |
|---|---|
| Location | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Public transit | |
| Owner | King Saud University |
| Operator | Saudi Media Company (SMC) |
| Capacity | 26,004 (to be expanded to 46,319 for2034 FIFA World Cup |
| Field size | Field of play: 105m × 68m Pitch area: 125m × 85m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2011; 15 years ago (2011) |
| Built | 2011; 15 years ago (2011) |
| Opened | 2015; 11 years ago (2015) |
| Renovated | 2032; 6 years' time (2032)2030; 4 years' time (2030) (planned) |
| Reopened | 2032; 6 years' time (2032) (planned) |
| Construction cost | |
| Builder | Hashem Contracting Company |
| Tenants | |
| Al-Hilal (2018–2020) Al-Nassr (2020–present) | |
| Website | |
| victoryarena.com | |
King Saud University Stadium (KSUS) (Arabic:ملعب جامعة الملك سعود,romanized: ʿmaleab Jāmiʿah al-Malik Saʿūd), known asAl-Awwal Park (Arabic:الأول بارك) due to sponsorship reasons, is anassociation football stadium located inRiyadh, Saudi Arabia. In September 2020, Saudi Media Company (SMC) obtained the management rights for operating the stadium. In October 2020, SMC signed a deal withAl Nassr FC for the Al-Awwal Park to become their home stadium.[1] The stadium has a current capacity of 25,000.
It is set to be a venue for the2034 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.[2] It will also host matches for the2027 AFC Asian Cup, specifically the group stage and round of 16.[3]
The stadium began construction in 2011 and was opened in May 2015. Refurbishments will take place from 2030 to 2032, in preparations for the2034 World Cup.[2]
The renovated stadium will feature an elliptical lightweight spoke-wheel roof and strategically placed amenities designed to ensure accessibility and compliance withFIFA standards. Located on theKing Saud University campus in westernRiyadh, 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 bustlingU Walk, a mixed-use King Saud University development that includes commercial and retail spaces.[2]
Following the World Cup, the stadium will serve as the home forKing 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.[2]
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] 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.[4]
In 2020, the stadium went through a re-branding operation becoming Mrsool Park in November 2020, following the signing with the delivery companyMrsool.[1]
In 2021, the stadium hosted theMaradona Cup betweenBoca Juniors andFC Barcelona to honorDiego Maradona, who died the previous year.[5]
In April 2023, the stadium was renamed Al-Awwal Park afterSaudi Awwal Bank signed a $15 million sponsorship deal for the next three years.[6]
24°43′45.5″N46°37′25.3″E / 24.729306°N 46.623694°E /24.729306; 46.623694