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Sources say that RPT, a Saudi Arabian-backed developer, is looking for investors to invest in World Cup stadiums.

Three sources have confirmed that Saudi Arabia's ROSHN group is looking for investors to help finance its Aramco stadium, which will host the FIFA World Cup in 2034. The state-backed developer wants to free up capital so it can deliver projects as part of the kingdom's economic transformation strategy.

Saudi Arabia is relying more on outside capital as it tries to reduce its dependence on oil and gas revenues.

Two sources who declined to be identified because the matter was not public said that JPMorgan had hired ROSHN to manage the equity raising process.

According to a third source, PIF and ROSHN are testing the private investor's?appetite? for a stadium.

Aramco, JPMorgan and ROSHN declined to comment. PIF and ROSHN did not respond to requests for comments.

STADIUM TRANSACTION WOULD MIRROR STRUCTURE OF PIPELINE DEALS

The stadium is expected to be finished by the end this year, and will host its first match in January.

Saudi Aramco is the state-owned oil company that operates the stadium on a 25-year concession. ROSHN, as the owner and developer, owns the project.

Sources said that ROSHN's transaction will likely follow a structure of lease-and-leaseback. Investors have been attracted to similar infrastructure fundraising deals, such as those used by Aramco in order to raise money for its oil and gas pipelines.

According to the model, ROSHN will?establish an entity that controls the leasehold it would co-own?with the investors who would provide the funds upfront.

ROSHN would be able to use its capital elsewhere, as the transaction would bring in new funding from investors. Investors would in turn receive a stream of long-term income in the form of Aramco's lease payments.

SAUDI ARABIA STRUGGLING WITH FLAGSHIP WORKS

PIF, as part of its Vision 2030 economic revamp plan, has heavily invested in sports including Formula E, boxing and tennis.

The 2034 World Cup will be a major event in the Kingdom's economic transformation plan.

Riyadh has begun building or renovating 15 stadiums in five cities, including the Aramco Stadium, which seats 47,000 people, located in Al Khobar. It is also working on 132 training facilities. Saudi Arabia's Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki AlFaisal, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Sports, said that the 2034 competition will be the first to host the expanded 48-team tournament in a single country. But overspending and lower-than-anticipated global oil prices that have throttled state revenues have left Saudi Arabia struggling to deliver some of its flagship projects. Trojena was initially set to host 2029 Asian Winter Games, but delays have been experienced.

Riyadh hopes private investors can help cover the shortfall. A deal for the Aramco Stadium wouldn't be the first deal involving Saudi owned sports assets. Kingdom Holding Company and the PIF signed an agreement to purchase a 70% stake of Saudi Pro League soccer club Al Hilal in April. Last year, an American investor bought the smaller club Al Kholood as part of a larger privatisation campaign. In May, it was reported that the PIF had been in discussions with investors about a possible minority stake in Newcastle United. This would be part of the fundraising plans to build the stadium.

(source: Reuters)