Since 2019, Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the most exciting destinations for sports tourism, hosting over 100 major events across more than 40 sporting disciplines. From adrenaline-pumping motorsport races and exhilarating boxing matchups to cutting-edge esports tournaments, the Kingdom has firmly established its presence on the global sports map. As we approach 2025, Saudi Arabia is preparing for even more thrilling competitions, including the Jeddah Grand Prix and the Esports World Cup, both of which promise to captivate audiences this summer. These events are just a glimpse into a packed sporting calendar that features the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and the much-anticipated 2034 FIFA World Cup. This vibrant sports scene aligns seamlessly with Saudi Vision 2030, the country’s ambitious development strategy aimed at cultivating a more sustainable and inclusive future. A key goal of this vision is to attract 150 million annual visitors by 2030, and the rise of Saudi Arabia as a global sports hub plays a pivotal role in achieving this objective.
Designing the Stadiums of Tomorrow
Saudi Arabia’s remarkable transformation into a world-renowned sports hub has been fueled by substantial investments and visionary leadership under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Kingdom is spearheading a new era of world-class events and state-of-the-art sports infrastructure. A centerpiece of this transformation is the ongoing development of futuristic sports facilities. Among the most notable projects are the Qiddiya Gaming & Esports District and NEOM’s Oxagon & Trojena smart city resorts. These initiatives reflect Saudi Arabia’s ambition to not only host top-tier events but also create sustainable, forward-thinking venues that will showcase the Kingdom’s long-term commitment to sports innovation.
One significant new addition is the Riyadh Sports Boulevard, an expansive 135-kilometer-long park that stretches across the capital. This boulevard includes walking trails, cycling paths, horse-riding tracks, open-air gyms, and green spaces aimed at encouraging active living. A striking feature of this project is the Global Sports Tower, which is slated to become the world’s tallest sports hub at 130 meters. Set to open in 2026, the tower will house over 30 sports facilities, including a rooftop running track and an indoor climbing wall, accessible to both elite athletes and the general public. Environmental sustainability is also at the core of Saudi Arabia’s sports initiatives, with the Kingdom prioritizing eco-friendly infrastructure projects. The country is implementing climate-adaptive stadiums and green technologies to balance growth with environmental conservation. Events such as Formula E and the UIM E1 electric raceboat championship highlight this commitment to sustainable innovation in sports. Additionally, the Diriyah district, home to the E-Prix street race, was recently named one of the Global Eco-Friendly Destinations for 2025 by the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDSM).
A Packed Calendar of Global Showdowns
The sporting calendar in Saudi Arabia is as diverse as it is ambitious, showcasing a variety of high-profile events that promise to attract global audiences in 2025. Boxing is rapidly becoming a dominant force in the Kingdom, following the historic Fury vs Usyk clash in May 2024. Riyadh is gearing up for more thrilling bouts, including the WBC Boxing Grand Prix and the Riyadh Season Finale, both set for later in 2025, featuring multiple championship matchups.
For motorsport enthusiasts, Saudi Arabia delivers an exhilarating lineup of events. The Dakar Rally kicked off the year in January 2025, followed by the ABB FIA Formula E in February, the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March, and the Rally Saudi Arabia in May. These events bring some of the world’s top drivers and racing teams to Jeddah, offering fans a chance to experience world-class motorsport action.
Cycling & Racing events thrive against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s dramatic desert landscapes. The AlUla Tour in February 2025 highlighted the beauty of the region, while the AlUla Desert Blaze in August will challenge runners across various distances, including 5km, 10km, 21km, and 42km. In the realm of horse racing, the Saudi Cup Weekend in February attracted the finest thoroughbreds to Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz Racecourse, boasting a staggering prize pot of €30 million (US$35 million), making it one of the richest horse racing events globally.
Tennis enthusiasts can look forward to the Saudi Open, kicking off the year in April, and the return of the WTA Finals to Riyadh in November, where elite singles players and doubles teams will compete for a €13 million (US$15.25 million) prize. December will see the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah, spotlighting top male players under the age of 21. Saudi Arabia’s golf scene is also expanding, with the LIV Golf League hosting marquee tournaments earlier in 2025, alongside additional events planned for NEOM and Qiddiya, drawing global attention to the Kingdom’s burgeoning golf landscape.
Football remains a staple of Saudi sports culture, with Riyadh hosting the Spanish Super Cup and Italian Super Cup in 2025, bringing European football giants to Saudi soil. The ongoing Saudi Pro League season (August 2024 – May 2025) has attracted top stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Preparations for major events such as the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 are already underway, promising to elevate the Kingdom’s status as a premier football destination.
The Digital Frontier: Esports Takes Centre Stage
In recent years, esports has rapidly ascended to become one of the most significant sports in Saudi Arabia, fueled by the Kingdom’s investment in the gaming industry. With 50% of the population under the age of 30, the Kingdom is emerging as a global hub for competitive gaming, supported by a robust infrastructure and the hosting of world-class tournaments. Riyadh is becoming the epicenter of esports, with gaming districts like Riyadh Front & Boulevard City evolving to host large-scale events such as the Gamers8 Festival and the Olympic Esports Games from 2027.
Moreover, inclusivity in esports is on the rise, with women now making up 20% of Saudi gamers, a figure that is four times higher than the global average. Trailblazers such as Modhi Alkanhal and Najd Fahad, the first Saudi women to win international gaming titles, are paving the way for future generations. This shift towards inclusivity marks a significant cultural transformation within the Kingdom.
Inclusion and Women’s Sports
Saudi Arabia’s sporting evolution is deeply rooted in the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The country has made significant strides in increasing female participation in sports through initiatives like the PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program and the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), which promotes community sports for all citizens. Female athletes are breaking new ground, with figures such as Dunya Abutaleb, the first Saudi woman to qualify for the Olympics on her own merit for Paris 2024, and Hattan Al Saif, the first Saudi woman to sign with a global MMA promotion in 2023. In motorsports, Farah Alyousef made her debut at the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as a wildcard entrant in the F1 Academy, further demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering female talent in all areas of sports.
A Summer that Signals Something Bigger
Saudi Arabia’s focus on sports continues to attract global attention, with 116 million tourists visiting the Kingdom in 2024 — 14 million of whom attended sporting events. As 2025 unfolds, spectator numbers are expected to increase even further with high-profile events such as the WTA Finals, WBC Boxing Grand Prix, and the Esports World Cup. This summer represents a turning point for female athletes, as well as for the millions of fans discovering new heroes across the sporting spectrum. Saudi Arabia is ushering in a new era of inclusive, world-class sports, and the momentum is only building.
For sports enthusiasts, there’s no better time to visit Saudi Arabia and experience its exhilarating summer of sport. Whether it’s the Horseback Archery World Cup in AlUla, or a visit to the vibrant sports hubs of Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia offers a sporting experience like no other.
