In Episode #20 (!) of The TWENTY30 Podcast, hosts Hanaa and Lucien catch up on all the feedback they've gotten over the past week, which included a flood of positive comments on Fatima Batook's episode (#19). Then the hosts get to Lucien's DEEPDIVE segment, which is an overview and analysis of all of the stadiums that Saudi Arabia is building now as the Kingdom rolls up its sleeves and begins preparation for both The 2027 AFC Asian Cup (the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup) and, of course, the FIFA World Cup in 2034. The DEEPDIVE was prompted by the announcement of the Kingdom's newest planned stadium at New Murabba, which is inspired by the native acacia tree in Saudi Arabia and is truly a unique and amazing design for the capital city's new district, owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

Lucien makes the point that, these days, stadiums must offer much more than just a venue for sports, as that business model has proven to be weaker to more expensive stadium builds that offer revenue-generating opportunities for events when teams aren't playing.

The hosts then get to the news. In the News this week:

•The groundbreaking strategic cooperation between Riyadh Air and Delta Airlines, highlighting the potential benefits for travelers and the aviation sector.

•The U.S.-Saudi framework agreement for space collaboration

•Goldman Sachs' forecast on peak oil demand and its implications for Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030

•The burgeoning movie theater industry in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on IMAX's expansion and the evolving cinema culture

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About The TWENTY30 Podcast

New futuristic cities built from scratch. Giga-projects. Major sports investments. Trillions in spending. An economy and society changing so quickly even locals sometimes can’t believe their eyes. Saudi Arabia is on a mission to change itself from a conservative society with an oil-dominated economy to a modern and open society with a diversified economy - and to become a global tourism destination. Such a transformation has never before been attempted, and the stakes for the Middle East - and the world - are high. The TWENTY30 is a new media network and podcast that explores the seemingly endless dimensions of the social and economic transformations in Saudi Arabia, which few living outside the Kingdom can truly grasp. From the creator and co-host of The 966 Podcast comes a new platform that tackles the news, issues, challenges, and opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region as it continues forward in a full-throttle effort to remake itself while the world watches. Featuring exclusive interviews, frank conversations, and in-depth topic exploration, The TWENTY30 is the first bi-weekly English program of its kind dedicated to uncovering and highlighting the road ahead for Saudi Arabia and the region and why it matters.

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