Ithra: The story behind the setting for Opening Night

Standing at the convergence of culture, innovation, and human potential, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture – widely known as Ithra – provides the perfect backdrop for our 2026 season launch on 9 February. A destination by design, here's everything you need to know about the setting for Opening Night.

The stage is set.

Located in Dhahran, Ithra is one of Saudi Arabia's most significant cultural landmarks. It is the flagship citizenship initiative of our title partner, Aramco, and exists to unlock creativity and develop talent across arts, design, education, and technology; empowering people and helping shape Saudi Arabia's cultural and creative future. In short, Ithra is a natural setting for landmark moments.

2026 is a defining year for Formula One, ushering in new technical regulations, new hybrid power units, and the introduction of advanced sustainable fuels. For Aston Martin Aramco, it also marks a historic moment, as we take to the track with our first car designed by Team Principal and Managing Technical Partner Adrian Newey. The AMR26 represents the next step on the team's journey to becoming a World Championship-winning team, and its livery reveal deserves a stage that mirrors that ambition.

But Ithra is more than just a stunning venue. Composed of five interlocking structures, inspired by oil-bearing rocks, its striking architecture represents a journey of transformation from raw resources to knowledge, innovation, and progress. A concept reflecting Aramco's belief in turning energy into opportunity.

Built using innovative materials and construction methods, Ithra implements energy-efficient processes, using smart, occupancy-based systems for lighting, heating, and other key functions to drive operational efficiency, emissions reductions, and measurable performance.

And inside, Ithra serves as a living ecosystem for creativity and learning. Through exhibitions, performances, film programmes, and international collaborations, it facilitates meaningful cross-cultural exchange – connecting Saudi creativity with global audiences, while bringing international perspectives into the Kingdom. It is a place where disciplines overlap and new ways of thinking are forged – a similar environment to that required to race at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Education is a cornerstone of Ithra. Through funding, mentorship, and hands-on development programmes, it plays a strategic role in powering Saudi Arabia's creative and educational future. At the heart of this is the IdeaLab – a space equipped with immersive labs and collaborative workspaces including 3D printing facilities where concepts are transformed into prototypes and prototypes into real-world solutions.

And, as the home of Saudi Arabia's STEM Racing HQ, Ithra supports a global educational programme that introduces young people to engineering, coding, teamwork, and problem-solving through the lens of Formula One technology. The programme's most recent World Finals brought together more than 90 student teams from more than 50 countries, underscoring the facility's role in nurturing future innovators and leaders on a global scale.

By hosting moments that celebrate engineering excellence and creativity, Ithra continues to bridge culture and technology. Designed not just to showcase innovation but to ignite it, Ithra stands as the cultural home for a moment that signals the start of a new era.

A destination by design.