Rising investment in sports, both domestically and internationally, is helping Saudi Arabia to emerge as a global sports leader, a new report said.
The country is also rapidly diversifying its sports portfolio to include established sports like football and golf, alongside emerging areas such as esports, MMA (mixed martial arts), and adventure sports, the report by SURJ Sports Investment, Saudi Arabia’s leading sports investment powerhouse, said.
“The monumental vote to award Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup marks the culmination of nearly a decade of unrivalled sporting growth, adding to the more than 100 elite international events across 40 sports the country hosted, firmly establishing its as a leading destination for world-class competition, talent, and innovation,” said Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment.
“That investment under the ambition of Vision 2030, fueled by the raw Saudi passion for sport, is what has transformed the country’s standing in sport, and earned it the right to host the biggest event in world sport,” he said.
Townsend said as participation numbers among men, women and children continue to rise across all sports, along with on-ground investment and resultant success stories, the trajectory and impact of sport in Saudi Arabia is expected to maintain its already steep rise.
“The next ten years promise to be incredibly exciting from a growth perspective,” he said.
The report, titled “Beyond the Game: The Rise of Saudi Sports”, also provides an unprecedented overview of the nation’s transformative growth under Vision 2030.
“SURJ plays a dual role in this transformation not only through investments that align with Vision 2030’s ambition to position the country as a global sports hub, but also through thought leadership that propels the sector’s growth,” the report said.
Saudi sports industry set to soar
The report also revealed remarkable progress in Saudi Arabia’s sports sector, showcasing how investment and participation have reached unprecedented levels.
“Nearly 50 per cent of Saudis now engage in weekly physical activity, a significant leap from just 13 per cent in 2015. The number of multi-sport clubs has also surged to 126 in 2024, up from only 9 in 2019, while sports federations have grown by 200 per cent to reach 98,” it said.
Women’s sports have seen extraordinary momentum, with 149 per cent growth in female participation since 2015 and over 330,000 registered female athletes, supported by coaches, referees, and mentors, the report said.
“Looking ahead, the market value of the sports industry is projected to grow from $8 billion to $22.4 billion by 2030. Sports investments are expected to contribute $16.5 billion annually to GDP by 2030, creating over 100,000 jobs and further solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a global sports hub,” the report said.
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