Parsons selected for Al Ittihad Sports Village project in Jeddah

• Sports complex with training facilities
• Will include Al Ittihad’s headquarters
• Kingdom investing heavily in sport

US-listed engineering firm Parsons Corporation has been appointed as project management consultant for a sports complex in Jeddah by Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad Club, the company said.

Al Ittihad Sports Village, to be built near King Abdullah Sports City in the north of Jeddah, will include Al Ittihad Club’s headquarters, training facilities, performance centres and commercial assets. 

Financial details were not disclosed.

Al Ittihad is a leading Saudi football club which has won the Pro League multiple times. It was until recently captained by former Real Madrid star and French international Karim Benzema.

The club has been 75 percent owned by the Public Investment Fund since June 2023 as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 sports privatisation initiative, with the remaining 25 percent held by the club’s non-profit foundation.

The award of the Jeddah project comes as the $1 trillion (PIF) faces mounting funding demands across giga-projects, forcing a reassessment of spending priorities. 

The kingdom has invested heavily in sport as part of its Vision 2030 diversification plan and preparations to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup, driving demand for stadiums, training facilities and related infrastructure.

While not listed as a tournament venue, the project adds to a broader pipeline of sports-related construction and domestic league development.

Further reading:

• Mohamed Salah would mark new phase for Saudi Pro League
• Ronaldo controversy shines light on Saudi football spending
• Saudi Arabia lists two more football clubs for private investment

Riyadh has been reviewing project priorities since 2024 after rising costs, execution challenges and lower oil revenues led to sharp budget cuts of up to 60 percent, exposing contractors to delays and cancellations.

Saudi Arabia has in recent months cancelled contracts on major projects, including Neom, as capital is redirected towards projects with fixed timelines, such as the World Cup and Expo 2030.

Parsons has worked on infrastructure for major events including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

It has operated in Saudi Arabia since 1958, when it designed and delivered Dhahran Airport, now known as King Abdulaziz Air Base.