Saudi gigaproject developer Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has advanced its dedicated horse racing venue at Qiddiya entertainment city, on the outskirts of Riyadh, by awarding an estimated SAR4.3 billion (around $1.1 billion) main construction contract. The appointed firm is Taj Dhabi, described as the local Saudi subsidiary or affiliate of UAE-based Trojan Construction. The racecourse is planned as a purpose-built venue covering 1.3 million square metres, and it is positioned by QIC as a significant equestrian development that will add momentum to the broader Qiddiya City construction programme.
From a delivery perspective, the contract scope is defined by a full racecourse venue rather than a single standalone building. The facility is planned to accommodate up to 70,000 spectators during major race meetings, with a permanent grandstand of 21,000 seats that can expand to 70,000 through event overlays. The venue also includes a 110-metre central parade ring located in the middle of the racecourse, giving spectators clear views of horses before races and creating a central gathering point during events. Sources also frame the project as supporting horse welfare through integrated facilities.
Construction Packages and Contractor Map: What’s Included
The project’s technical package includes multiple tracks designed to international or global racing specifications. Listed facilities include the Middle East’s first straight mile turf course, a 2.2-kilometre main turf track, and a 2.4-kilometre inner dirt track. One source highlights that delivering competition-grade turf in Riyadh’s climate is a technical challenge, requiring specialist growing medium design plus irrigation and drainage engineering beyond standard sports pitch construction. Alongside the tracks, the racecourse package integrates an equine hospital that will provide advanced veterinary services, including diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, and emergency care.
Procurement milestones provide a clear sequence for how the Qiddiya racecourse construction contract in Saudi Arabia moved from tender to award. QIC issued the construction works tender in December last year, formally announced the project on 10 February, and contractors submitted bids on 15 February before QIC completed its evaluation and selected the successful contractor. With the main construction contract awarded to Taj Dhabi, sources indicate that site works can begin. The racecourse is also described as part of the wider Qiddiya City masterplan transforming the Riyadh periphery into a major leisure hub.
In the broader contractor landscape, the racecourse is presented as one of several major projects within the greater Qiddiya development. Multiple landmark projects are cited as progressing or under construction across Qiddiya City, including the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium, a motorsports circuit, an e-games arena, a performing arts center, Dragon Ball Theme Park, Six Flags Qiddiya, and Aquarabia Water Theme Park. Separately, one MEED repost notes an exclusive May report stating that a consortium of China-headquartered Shandong Electric Power Construction No. 3 Company (Sepco 3) and South Korea’s Doosan Enerbility had been appointed as main contractor, which differs from other sources naming Taj Dhabi as the contract awardee for the racecourse works.
Who won the Qiddiya racecourse construction contract in Saudi Arabia?
How big is the Qiddiya racecourse site and what is the planned spectator capacity?
What tracks and core facilities are included in the racecourse package?
When did QIC tender and receive bids for the racecourse construction works?
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