Does a literally 'rooftop, ceiling-high' stadium really exist?

In the posted clip, which is said to be Saudi Arabia's Neom Sky Stadium, which is expected to open before the 2034 World Cup, a football stadium is built on top of a tower at least 300m high, with half of the field suspended in mid-air. Immediately, football fans were extremely surprised and amazed by the grandeur and bold design of the world's first "air stadium".

However, many experts believe that the clip is actually a product of AI. Firstly, the Neom Sky Stadium is expected to be located in The Line, a city that has not yet been built.

Next, with a capacity of up to 46,000 seats, the requirements for load-bearing capacity and safety are a challenge. Remember, in 2023, tens of thousands of spectators at SoFi Stadium (USA) created an earthquake with a magnitude of 0.851 when everyone danced to the hit song "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift.

Neom Sky Stadium in a clip circulating on social media.

Furthermore, to get to the stadium at the top of the tower, fans can only move by high-speed elevators, which seems unrealistic with a capacity of 46,000 spectators.

While the clip may be fake, it is true that Saudi Arabia is working on a project for a floating stadium, and design images were posted on Neom's official Facebook page last year.

Only Neom Sky is different from that clip. It is built on top of a tower, but not 300m high and hanging in the air. Instead, it is located at the top and is safely enclosed, ensuring construction feasibility.

Image of Neom Sky Stadium on Neom's official website.

Obviously, the yard looks much more realistic and viable.

Construction on the Neom Sky Stadium is scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed in 2032, two years before the 2034 World Cup is hosted in Saudi Arabia. The stadium is part of Saudi Arabia's 'The Line' project, a smart city in the Neom area.

When the Middle Eastern nation was awarded the tournament at the FIFA Congress in late 2024, it promised “unique” venues. However, only four of the 15 stadiums that will host matches at the prestigious event are already in place, and will be upgraded. The 92,760-capacity King Salman International Stadium will host the opening and final, while the other venues, Qiddiya Coast Stadium and Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, will be located on a rooftop.

And earlier this month, it was reported that the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia could be held between November and December, when temperatures are significantly cooler than the summer months.