Everything You Need to Know About Formwork and Scaffolding for Stadiums

1. The Role of Formwork in Stadium Construction

Formwork plays a critical role in shaping the concrete elements of a stadium, serving as temporary molds until the concrete hardens. Given the architectural complexity and massive scale of most stadiums, the formwork must be adaptable and robust enough to handle significant volumes of concrete while maintaining precision.

PERI Handset Alpha and DUO are two versatile and highly efficient formwork systems used in stadium construction:

• Faster Assembly: The Handset Alpha system is designed for manual handling, allowing for rapid setup without the need for cranes. This speeds up the construction process significantly, which is crucial for large-scale projects like stadiums, where time efficiency is a top priority. The DUO system's lightweight, modular design and minimal components further enhance assembly speed, reducing labor requirements.

• Durability and Reusability: Both Handset Alpha and DUO are built for durability, making them reusable across various phases of construction. This reusability not only supports sustainable building practices but also contributes to significant cost savings over time.

Whether you’re constructing stadiums in Europe, Middle East, Africa or Asia, these systems enable the structural precision needed for complex designs, while delivering faster results and long-term cost efficiency.

2. Scaffolding: Supporting Workers and Materials in Stadium Projects

In stadium construction, scaffolding is required not just for supporting structures but also for providing access to workers and materials at significant heights. Given the size and height of modern stadiums, scaffolding must be flexible and adaptable to the unique geometries involved.

PERI UP Flex, a modular scaffolding system, is widely used in complex projects like stadiums:

• Modular Flexibility: This system adapts to the varying shapes and heights of stadium structures, from high-rise seating areas to intricate roof designs.
• Safety: PERI scaffolding features built-in guardrails, toeboards, and slip-resistant platforms, ensuring worker safety during construction at height.
• High Load Capacity: The system can support heavy equipment and materials, which is essential when working on the large-scale structures common in stadium construction.

3. Safety First: How PERI Systems Ensure Worker Protection

In large-scale projects like stadiums, safety is a key concern. High altitudes, heavy materials, and complex designs can create dangerous working conditions. PERI Saudi Arabia integrates safety into every step of the construction process:

• Slip-resistant platforms: PERI UP Flex scaffolding uses non-slip surfaces to ensure worker safety at all heights.
• One-sided tie technology: By requiring fewer workers for installation, the DUO formwork system reduces exposure to hazardous conditions, minimizing risks on-site.
• Guardrails and toeboards: Pre-mounted safety features, such as guardrails on scaffolding, protect workers from falls during stadium construction.

4. Innovative Formwork, Scaffolding, and Digital Solutions for Stadium Projects in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 includes the construction of state-of-the-art stadiums and sports complexes, which come with unique architectural designs, tight deadlines, and the need for efficient construction methods. PERI’s formwork, scaffolding systems, and digital tools are perfectly tailored to meet these challenges:

• Custom Formwork Solutions: PERI provides custom formwork that accommodates curved, sloped, and complex structures typical of modern stadiums. These tailored solutions ensure smooth finishes, precise execution, and adherence to the highest architectural standards, crucial for large-scale projects.

• Adaptable Scaffolding Configurations: The PERI UP Flex system offers versatile scaffolding that can be adjusted on-site to meet project-specific demands, from providing safe access to elevated seating areas to supporting intricate roof installations. The flexibility of PERI UP ensures efficiency and safety, regardless of the project’s complexity.

• BIM-Integrated Construction: To further streamline project execution, PERI integrates Building Information Modeling (BIM) into its construction processes. BIM allows for detailed 3D planning, clash detection, and real-time updates, ensuring that every aspect of the project—from formwork installation to scaffolding layout—is optimized. This results in up to 20% faster project completion by reducing on-site errors and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders​

5. Real-World Applications: PERI in Iconic Stadium Projects

PERI systems have been essential in constructing some of the world’s most renowned stadiums, delivering innovative solutions that meet the demands of large-scale sports facilities. Our cutting-edge formwork and scaffolding systems are designed for complex architectural needs, ensuring precision, safety, and speed.

• Kingdom Arena in Riyadh: As Saudi Arabia gears up for major events like the 2034 FIFA World Cup, PERI systems, including custom formwork and scaffolding, are being utilized to ensure the timely and precise construction of this modern stadium.

• Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar: For the 2022 FIFA World Cup, PERI provided its Handset Alpha formwork system and DUO formwork to ensure high-quality execution in the unique tent-shaped structure of Al Bayt Stadium. Our BIM-integrated approach enabled enhanced coordination and error-free construction, reducing project delays.

• Education City Stadium in Qatar: PERI’s PERI UP Flex and customized formwork solutions played a key role in this project, which required precision in both the seating arrangements and the intricate roof design. The use of BIM allowed for improved planning, ensuring on-time project delivery.

• Allianz Arena in Munich: PERI’s UP Flex scaffolding and DUO formwork were integral to the construction of the iconic façade and elevated seating areas, providing efficient, safe solutions for this large-scale project.

• Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid: PERI’s scaffolding supported the intricate roof design and high-rise seating, ensuring a safe, high-speed construction process without sacrificing quality.

As Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure evolves with the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Jeddah), King Salman International Stadium (Riyadh), Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium (Qiddiya),  Neom Stadium (Neom), Aramco Stadium (Al Khobar) and more, PERI Saudi Arabia stands ready to deliver cutting-edge formwork and scaffolding solutions tailored to meet these ambitious projects’ unique challenges.