Have a need for speed? Saudi’s Qiddiya City gears up for new motorsport hotel and horse racing venue
Saudi Arabia’s gigacity project has plans to shift to high-gear, creating a hub for international motorsports, equestrian racing and positioning itself as a year-round destination for residences, leisure and tourism.View on euronews
Plans are in the pipeline for a short- and long-term stay complex in Saudi Arabia overlooking a motor racing track where Formula 1 tyres will soon burn rubber. Beyond just a single hotel, the plans spearheaded by the Kingdom’s Qiddiya City project will include a five-star Sports Car Hotel with 89 keys, a four-star F1 Overlook Hotel with 168 keys, and 65 serviced apartments designed for longer stays. According to Fact Magazine Saudi Arabia, the multi-property destination will be located in Qiddiya's Core Resort District, within East Village South.
It's also reported that the residential complex is tentatively expected to open its doors to the public by 2034. Earmarked to be 45km from Riyadh’s downtown and 70km from King Khalid International Airport, when completed the Qiddiya City development will be three times the size of Paris and positioned as a one-stop destination for work, leisure, shopping and residences . Qiddiya City is Saudi Arabia’s ambitious new giga-project, designed to connect residents, tourists and industry professionals with entertainment, sports and cultural offerings in a fully integrated, walkable urban environment.
This includes the anticipated Speed Park motorsport circuit, set to host major international events including Formula 1 during peak seasons, as well as open track days for the public during quieter months. The residential complex will sit within this development, overlooking the race circuit. With an eye on smashing a world record, its 70-metre high Blade racetrack, designed by former F1 driver Alex Wurz and circuit designer Hermann Tilke, will be the world's first elevated racetrack corner.
From revved engines to horsepower Qiddiya City’s plans to position itself as an international sports hub don’t end with motor racing. Alongside the development of the Speed Park motorsport circuit, plans are also underway for a new horse racing venue. The planned equestrian racecourse is set to host a range of international race formats and will include the region's first straight-mile turf course, which is a track layout where horses run without navigating any turns.