NEOM Beach Games, Saudi Arabia

Redefining NEOM’s coastline as the vibrant stage for the 2023 games

• CLIENT: NEOM Sports
• LOCATION: NEOM, KSA, Saudi Arabia
• AREA: 3,550m²
• SERVICES: Masterplanning + Events

WOO was appointed by the NEOM Beach Games event delivery team to design a masterplan for the 2023 event that would form the basis of a turnkey tender to deliver and operate the venue. The Hub, a fully temporary sports venue, was designed to host beach soccer and 3×3 basketball competitions in two separate arenas, with a common domain spectator area. Co-located on the Gayal Peninsula is the temporary accommodation for athletes and VIPs called the Village.

The team delivered a concept for a memorable visitor experience for athletes, VIPs and spectators that embraced a sense of place by contextualising both venues and creating a unique identity for the Beach Games that was specific to NEOM.

For The Hub, WOO delivered a concept-design masterplan, including back-of-house operational areas, front-of-house spectator areas, and the two temporary arenas including field of play layouts and sight-line studies for the seating stands. For the VIPs, the team designed an elevated viewing deck, overlooking the central spectator plaza, integrating all facilities within it and providing direct access to the seats.

In addition to the competition venue, WOO designed a masterplan for the Village for the coming few years, which will pave the way for a longer-term vision of a more integrated beach sports resort.

WOO also provided recommendations for drawing and information management for the event delivery team and an outline Games overlay book template.