ROSHN Partners with Aramco to Build Stadium in Khobar with Capacity for 47,000 Spectators

ROSHN said the stadium is expected to be completed and operational by 2026. (SPA)
ROSHN said the stadium is expected to be completed and operational by 2026. (SPA)
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ROSHN Partners with Aramco to Build Stadium in Khobar with Capacity for 47,000 Spectators

ROSHN said the stadium is expected to be completed and operational by 2026. (SPA)
ROSHN said the stadium is expected to be completed and operational by 2026. (SPA)

ROSHN, Saudi Arabia’s leading national real estate developer and a Public Investment Fund company, announced a collaboration with Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, to build Aramco Stadium, a 47,000-seat stadium in Khobar, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region.

In a statement on Wednesday, ROSHN said the stadium is expected to be completed and operational by 2026 and will host both national and international events, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which will take place in Saudi Arabia in January of that year.

The facility’s design is influenced by the Arabian Gulf and the shape of the whirlpools, which regularly occur off the coast.

Aramco Stadium will be multifunctional, catering to both entertainment and sports activities. It will boast state-of-the-art amenities, conforming to the highest standards to ensure inclusiveness, safety, and sustainability. The venue itself is set to be a leading national sports and entertainment destination.

Promoting sports is central to the Quality-of-Life Program and Saudi Vision 2030, with initiatives such as the Aramco Stadium set to boost mass participation, improve the country’s performance in international competitions, and grow the sports economy.



Defeated Villa Eager to Go Again in Champions League 

Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
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Defeated Villa Eager to Go Again in Champions League 

Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery reacts during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)

Narrowly defeated by Paris St Germain at the Champions League quarter-final stage, Aston Villa are now focused on getting straight back next year into Europe's top club competition.

"I am very proud of everything we did in the Champions League," Villa boss Unai Emery said as the dust settled from a pulsating clash with PSG whom they beat 3-2 in Tuesday's second leg but lost 3-1 to in the first game for an overall 5-4 defeat.

Villa are seventh in the Premier League but only a point off fifth which would secure them a Champions League berth again.

"It is now most important to get Europe again. The most important competition is the Champions League. The challenge we have for the last six matches (of the Premier League) is to try and get Europe and the Champions League," Emery said.

His pride at Villa's strong showing, after a four-decade absence from Europe's elite, was tinged with frustration at just failing to pull off a remarkable comeback as they came so close to scoring a fourth goal at Villa Park that would have levelled the tie on aggregate.

"We were close," he said, adding that he had to push his team on to achieve ever more. "Still a little bit more to do better, to try to get it."

Aston Villa captain John McGinn, who scored on Tuesday, echoed the sentiment.

"Obvious disappointment but I am proud of my teammates, proud of the club. We have come a long way. We were so, so close tonight. We just fell a little bit short," he said.

"We had chances to take the game to extra time but we've got to be proud about the way we came back against one of the best teams in the world, to fight to the end. We want more. We want to be back here next season and we will try our best to do that."

McGinn said the players gave their all against a superb opponent. "We never gave up. It was chaos, but we gave absolutely everything and I think every Aston Villa supporter will leave with a huge sense of pride," he said.

"I've never played against Real Madrid or Barcelona, but in my career they (PSG) are the best team I have faced. I'm getting old and I certainly wouldn't like to play against them every week."