Saudi State media claims that a recently shared viral video of “World’s First Sky Stadium in KSA” with more than 50 million views is fake.
The viral AI-generated video showing a glowing ‘Sky Stadium’ high above the desert has misled millions of social media users into believing it was part of Saudi Arabia’s 2034 FIFA World Cup preparations.
The viral clip that showed a football pitch built atop a massive skyscraper convinced viewers that it was an official concept released by Saudi Arabia.
Whereas Saudi officials have denied any connection to the footage and claimed that it was entirely fictional.
According to media reports, the news has no link with any Saudi Government or any official government plan or project.
“This design is completely fake and bears no resemblance to anything Saudi Arabia is planning. It appears in no official sources,” reports AFP.
AFP’s digital verification team traced the video back to an Instagram creator called "hyporaultraworks," who is known for sharing AI-generated architectural concepts.
The account owner confirmed that the viral video was their own creation, describing it as a simple AI experiment that unexpectedly went viral.
“What started as a simple AI concept has taken on a life of its own — over 50 million views later,” the creator said.
The video creator further informed that “It was purely an imaginative AI concept exploring a skyscraper-style football arena.”
Although Saudi Arabia has revealed ambitious plans to construct sporting arenas as part of The Line, a futuristic NEOM megacity project, the viral stadium ‘s concept remains purely a digital illusion.
Moreover, the creator of the viral video also acknowledged that he has no clue about any of Saudi Arabia’s upcoming projects.
Saudi Arabia continues to invest in sports and infrastructure ahead of hosting the 2034 World Cup but none of the official designs or concepts resemble the viral stadium.