Jeddah Central Stadium will seat more than 45,000 people and is planned to host major sporting events, including matches during the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Jeddah Opera House will become a major cultural venue, with spaces for opera, theatre, concerts, rehearsals and creative events.
The Oceanarium and Coral Farm will showcase the Red Sea’s marine life through underwater experiences and conservation-focused storytelling.
Discover Jeddah Central, featuring a stadium, an opera house, an oceanarium, a museum, luxury hotels and lifestyle attractions.
Jeddah has always been a city with a unique identity. Known as the gateway to the Red Sea and home to the historic streets of Al Balad, Jeddah has long been a place where heritage, culture, and modern development come together. Now, the city is entering a new era with Jeddah Central, one of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious waterfront developments.
Located along the Red Sea coastline, Jeddah Central is a major urban regeneration project designed to transform Jeddah into a world-class destination for tourism, culture, entertainment, hospitality, retail, and residential living. Covering approximately 5.7 million square meters, it will feature iconic landmarks, luxury hotels, residential communities, a marina, beaches, restaurants, cafes, shopping destinations, and public spaces. The project is expected to include around 2,700 hotel rooms and approximately 17,000 residential units, creating a new lifestyle destination in Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah Central Stadium is one of the most significant attractions planned for the waterfront destination, bringing a major sporting landmark to the heart of the city. The stadium will have a capacity of more than 45,000 seats and is designed to echo the traditional architecture of Jeddah’s historic Al Balad district while incorporating modern technology and innovative building design. It will anchor the Sport Park District within Jeddah Central and is planned to be integrated with surrounding leisure, retail and community areas. The venue is listed as one of Saudi Arabia’s proposed FIFA World Cup 2034 stadiums, with plans to host group stage and Round of 32 matches.
Jeddah Opera House will add a major cultural landmark to the development, positioning Jeddah Central as more than a waterfront lifestyle destination. Designed by Copenhagen-based Henning Larsen for Jeddah Central Development Company, the venue is inspired by historic Al Balad, local geology, Hijazi culture and the relationship between the city and the Red Sea. The opera house is currently listed as under construction, with Henning Larsen describing it as part of a wider Opera Quarter designed to encourage cultural encounters. Planned spaces include a 1,500-seat opera venue, a 750-seat playhouse theatre and a 150-seat rehearsal space, allowing it to host touring productions, orchestras, concerts, commercial events and community programmes.
The Oceanarium and Coral Farm will bring Jeddah Central’s connection to the Red Sea into focus. Designed as an immersive marine attraction, it will showcase the environment, flora and fauna of the Red Sea while introducing visitors to the region’s underwater ecosystems. The project is planned to include marine exhibits, conservation-led storytelling and experiences that highlight coastal life, coral habitats and the importance of sustainable marine resources. It forms one of the four major landmarks within Jeddah Central, alongside the stadium, opera house and museum. The attraction is also intended to support Jeddah’s position as a destination closely tied to the sea, combining education, entertainment and environmental awareness in one visitor experience.
Jeddah Central Museum is one of the project’s most distinctive cultural elements, transforming an old desalination plant into a creative and public-facing destination. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, the museum will preserve part of Jeddah’s industrial past while giving the site a new purpose within the city’s future cultural landscape. Plans include converting the main turbine hall into a dramatic exhibition space and turning parts of the former plant into a Makers’ Souk. The museum will also feature studios, ateliers, public exhibitions and large-scale commissions, creating a campus centred on making, learning and exchange. It is designed to celebrate Jeddah’s long-standing creative community while exploring the city’s relationship with water, industry and transformation.
Beyond its major attractions, Jeddah Central is designed to create a complete waterfront lifestyle experience. The development will include a marina, beach areas, resorts, restaurants, cafés, retail spaces, and pedestrian-friendly public areas that encourage people to spend more time outdoors. It aims to become a place where people can live, work, and enjoy everyday life.
The Jeddah Central development is being delivered in three phases. Phase One is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and will include the stadium, opera house, oceanarium, public beaches, and key attractions. Phase Two is planned for completion by 2030 and will introduce the museum, library, and wellness district. Phase Three will continue beyond 2030 with additional destinations, including the art village, Coral Bay, and other lifestyle and cultural spaces.
Where: Jeddah Central, Al Andalus, Jeddah
When: Early 2027
Contact: www.jeddahcentral.com