King Saud University Stadium

Not to be confused with King Saud Sport City Stadium.
King Saud University Stadium
Al-Awwal Park
الأول بارك
View from inside Al-Awwal Park
Map
Former namesKing Saud University Stadium (2015–2020)
Mrsool Park (2020–2023)
LocationRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
OwnerKing Saud University
OperatorSMC
Capacity26,100
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground2011
Built2011–2014
Opened7 May 2015 (2015-05-07)
Renovated2020
Expanded2024
Construction cost215m SAR
BuilderHashem 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 as Al-Awwal Park (Arabic: الأول بارك) due to sponsorship reasons, is a association football stadium located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In September 2020, 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.[1]

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] 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.[2]

In 2020, the stadium went through a re-branding operation becoming Mrsool Park in November 2020, following the signing with the delivery company Mrsool.[1]

In 2021, the stadium hosted the Maradona Cup between Boca Juniors and FC Barcelona to honor Diego Maradona, who died the previous year.[3]

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.[4]

Notable matches

Events

  • Al-Awwal Park players tunnel
    Al-Awwal Park players tunnel
  • Al-Awwal Park locker room
    Al-Awwal Park locker room

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Saudi Arabia: KSU Stadium changes name and will undergo a serious facelift". stadiumdb.com. 15 December 2020.
  2. ^ "History". Victory arena. Saudi Media Company (Operator). Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Maradona Cup: The impressive stadium where Barcelona and Boca Juniors will meet". BolaVIP. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  4. ^ Badughaish, Salem (5 April 2023). "Cristiano Ronaldo's club Al-Nassr renames the stadium". Football Business Journal. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
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