Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to boost the sports sector’s contribution to the Kingdom’s GDP to $4.8 billion by 2030, supported by an expected market growth of 8.7 percent by 2026—well above the global average of 3.3 percent.
Over the past four years, the Kingdom has hosted 80 international sporting events, attracting 2.5 million tourists, as highlighted by Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal at the 2025 Budget Forum. The minister credited Saudi leadership for driving the sector’s expansion and enhancing its global standing. He also underscored the sector’s impact on tourism, citing events like Formula 1 in Jeddah, which drew attendees from 160 countries, generated SAR 900 million for the local economy, and created 20,000 jobs.
Privatization Fuels Growth in Sports Sector
Prince Abdulaziz emphasized the growing role of the private sector in the Kingdom’s sports industry. Fourteen clubs have been earmarked for privatization, drawing interest from 25 companies, including international investors. The Nafis platform, which has licensed 2,000 academies and 500 clubs, is also playing a key role in transitioning some clubs into private companies.
Major investments by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in top-tier clubs like Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli, along with acquisitions by Saudi Aramco and Diriyah Gate Development Authority, align with Vision 2030’s goals of diversifying the economy and making sports clubs financially independent. The sector’s contribution to GDP is projected to rise from SAR 2.4 billion ($640 million) in 2016 to SAR 18 billion ($4.8 billion) by 2030.
Expanding Global Reach
The global broadcast of the Saudi Pro League in over 160 countries has elevated Saudi Arabia’s international sports profile. The recent approval to privatize an additional 14 clubs reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to professionalizing the sports industry, with plans for advanced stadiums and marquee events such as the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Prince Abdulaziz noted that these initiatives aim to elevate the Saudi Pro League to the level of Europe’s top leagues, positioning the Kingdom as a global sports hub.
A Dynamic Market for Investors
A Deloitte report highlights Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the Middle East’s sports boom, driven by a young, tech-savvy population, with 63 percent of citizens under 30. This demographic shift is expected to fuel demand for digital interactions, immersive fan experiences, and gamified content, making Saudi Arabia a prime market for investors.
For investors, this transformation presents a dual opportunity: significant financial returns and the chance to contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, a blueprint for economic diversification and sustainable development in Saudi Arabia.
