Mapping Active Construction Opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s Mega Project Pipeline

Saudi Arabia's construction pipeline is moving into a critical delivery phase, creating opportunities across infrastructure, real estate, transport, and hospitality.

More than $38 billion in giga project contracts are currently in tender, according to MEED Projects data as of March 2026. These tenders span stadiums, airports, transit systems, hotels, and mixed-use developments across the Kingdom.

The FIFA World Cup 2034 and Riyadh World Expo 2030 are the two non-negotiable delivery deadlines driving the entire Saudi construction procurement calendar.

These tenders, with active contractor shortlisting already underway in several cases, represent a key entry point for foreign companies seeking to enter and set up a business in the Saudi market, particularly across high-growth infrastructure and development sectors.

Where the Active Procurement Is

FIFA World Cup 2034

The FIFA World Cup 2034 is the most consequential fixed deadline in Saudi Arabia's infrastructure pipeline.

With the tournament confirmed for Saudi Arabia, construction requirements span new and upgraded stadiums, transport connectivity, hospitality, and urban infrastructure across multiple host cities.

The King Salman International Stadium is already in tender. Alongside it, the ROSHN National Guard Stadium has been issued for bid. Earlier this year, the Sports Ministry issued a notice inviting companies to prequalify for the construction and maintenance of 68 training sites.

In fact, the broader World Cup infrastructure program will generate a sustained wave of stadium, transport, and supporting works contracts through to 2033.

Riyadh Expo 2030

Expo 2030 Riyadh has moved firmly into its delivery phase, with major infrastructure packages already under execution.

An estimated SR1bn ($267m) initial infrastructure contract has already been awarded to Nesma & Partners, marking the start of major enabling works on site.

Shortly after, Expo 2030 Riyadh Company awarded Al-Yamama Company two contracts for the next phase of site infrastructure works, covering roads and utility networks. With enabling works advancing, procurement is now shifting to vertical construction. Prequalification is underway for the next wave of buildings and retail components that will define the district's above-ground development.

In parallel, a new metro station contract on Line 4 is expected to be awarded, further integrating the project into the wider urban transport network and strengthening connectivity across the city.

Beyond construction, Expo 2030 Riyadh is expected to generate significant long-term economic impact.

During the development and event phases, the project is projected to contribute approximately $64 billion to Saudi Arabia's GDP and create around 171,000 direct and indirect jobs. Once operational, its long-term legacy is expected to add a further $5.6 billion to the Kingdom's GDP.

Diriyah

Diriyah was the most active giga-project in 2025 by contract value, with over SR24bn ($6.5bn) awarded last year alone, and continues to lead in 2026.

The Diriyah transformation program is built around two main master plans: the 14-sq-km Diriyah Gate development surrounding At-Turaif and Wadi Safar, located about 11 km to the south, which is being developed as one of the world’s largest luxury gated residential communities.

Procurement activity is now concentrated on Phase 2 (DG2), where several major packages are either in tender or under delivery. US-based Parsons Corporation has been awarded a SR210 million ($56 million) contract to provide infrastructure support services for Phase 2. Meanwhile, a SAR2.5 billion ($666 million) contract was awarded in March 2026 for the Pendry Superblock Package Northwest, one of DG2's largest hospitality developments.

Current tender opportunities include office buildings in the Media District, alongside large-scale hospitality packages across Boulevard Northwest, Boulevard Northeast, and Boulevard West.

Additional procurement is underway for above-ground assets in the Gardens District, which will deliver mixed-use neighborhoods inspired by traditional Najdi urban design.

Beyond DG2, development continues across Phase 1, including the Four Seasons Hotel, while the Boulevard Innovation Park remains in procurement following the award of a $113.6 million design contract to Omrania for the wider Boulevard District.

The Diriyah target is to be substantially complete by 2030 in time for the Riyadh Expo.

Qiddiya

Qiddiya is the other tier-one active procurement environment alongside Diriyah, with a strong pipeline of live and imminent tenders. Current opportunities include the National Athletics Stadium, which is in the tendering phase, with design inspired by the London Olympic Stadium.

Qiddiya Investment Company has also invited contractors to prequalify for an IOC-standard indoor multipurpose sports arena in District 18 (Uptown South), further expanding the project's portfolio of international sporting venues.

Alongside these sports facilities, procurement is advancing across several flagship entertainment and hospitality developments. These include East Village South, a mixed-use hospitality district designed to support Qiddiya's broader leisure and tourism offering.

The developer has also launched a construction tender for the world's first Dragon Ball theme park, reinforcing Qiddiya's ambition to become a globally recognized entertainment destination.

Transport infrastructure is progressing in parallel. The Q-Express high-speed rail linking Qiddiya to the King Abdulaziz Financial District is also in pre-qualification. Last year, 145 firms submitted EOIs for the Qiddiya High-Speed Rail Project, with 24 companies selected to participate in the bidding process.

King Salman International Airport (KSIA)

Terminal 6 is currently at the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) shortlist stage, with three major international groups selected to progress to the next phase.

At the same time, enabling works for the 4.2km third runway are already underway, marking a significant step in expanding airside capacity. A new Private Aviation Terminal is also in the tender, further strengthening the airport’s premium and business aviation offering.

Last year, King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) initiated the procurement process for new and expanded aircraft fuel storage facilities, as well as a fuel distribution network and hydrant systems servicing new aircraft parking areas at the airport. This move is in line with efforts to scale up core airport utilities and ensure operational readiness for future phases of King Salman International Airport.

Together, these developments form part of a broader expansion strategy aimed at scaling capacity and positioning the airport to handle 100 million annual passengers by the end of the decade, reinforcing its role as a key global aviation hub.

ROSHN

ROSHN is shifting a growing share of its development activity to Jeddah through new residential tenders at its Marafy project, signaling continued expansion of its mixed-use pipeline in the Western Region.

The project is a large-scale mixed-use development expected to accommodate over 9,000 residents and includes the construction of 18,000 residential units.

Earlier this year, ROSHN tendered the Marafy residential packages in Jeddah on 27 March 2026 as part of its integrated residential development strategy.

The latest packages underscore the scale of the master plan and the pace of development activity underway, marking an important procurement milestone for companies seeking an early foothold in one of Jeddah’s flagship waterfront developments.

The Roshn mega project plays a key role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of increasing homeownership to 70% by the end of the decade through the development of integrated communities and an ambition to deliver over 400,000 homes that enhance quality of life.

What Disqualifies Firms from Major Tenders

The following are the most common reasons foreign construction firms fail at the prequalification stage:

• No Saudi legal entity: Bids submitted without a commercial registration (CR) and MISA license are rejected outright.
• Saudization non-compliance: Companies in the Red Nitaqat band face restrictions on work permit renewals and may be flagged during prequalification.
• Outdated portal registration: Your compliance standing on government portals—including Qiwa and Mudad—is also verified during prequalification. An inactive or non-compliant status on either platform is grounds for rejection.
• No local delivery evidence: Major giga project owners increasingly require proof of on-ground Saudi presence and recent Saudi project delivery, not just global credentials.
• Missing sustainability certifications: If your materials or systems do not support LEED or WELL compliance, you will be excluded from packages where these are specified.

Saudi Arabia's construction pipeline is active, structured, and actively open to international participation. But the entry requires preparation well before the bid deadline.