Saudi Arabia is rising as a leading hub for sports tourism, driving economic growth in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
Tourism is a key pillar of the Kingdom’s economic diversification plans, creating more jobs and enhancing the quality of life. In the light of this, sports tourism has emerged as a powerful driver for Saudi Arabia’s economic growth and progress.
What is Sports Tourism?
Sports tourism is a travel experience where the tourist participates in a sporting event or observes it as a spectator, according to UN Tourism. It is one of the fastest growing sectors in tourism, as more tourists are interested in sport activities during their trips, whether sports are the main objective of travel or not.
Sports tourism generates about 10% of the world’s expenditure on tourism, with an estimated growth rate of 17.5% between 2023 and 2030.
Sports Tourism in Saudi Arabia
In recent years, sports tourism has gained momentum in Saudi Arabia, as part of its efforts to solidify its status as a global tourist and sports destination.
During the past four years, Saudi Arabia hosted 80 international sporting events, attracting 2.5 million tourists, the Saudi Tourism Minister, Ahmed Al-Khateeb noted. In an article on LinkedIn, he said that Formula 1 in Jeddah attracted visitors from 160 countries, creating 20,000 jobs and generating SAR 900 million in economic impact.
Furthermore, the Kingdom has emerged as a host destination for a wide range of global sporting events, including the WWE Super Showdown, the Saudi Pro-Golf Championship, Battle of the Champions, Formula E, E-Prix, International Handball Federation Super Globe and Saudi International Meeting for Disabilities Sport.
Ambitious Plans
Al-Khateeb said that Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans to develop sports tourism and establish the Kingdom’s position as a global tourism destination. To this end, Saudi Arabia plans to deliver an unparalleled FIFA World Cup tournament in 2034, which the Saudi Minister called “the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation journey.”
“As the first country to host a 48-team FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia will unite more fans from around the world like never before—creating an unprecedented global gathering,” he said.
Al-Khateeb added that “With 60% of the world’s population within an eight-hour flight, this positions us to deliver one of the most accessible and connected tournaments in history.”
Moreover, he pointed to the Kingdom’s massive investment in building and refurbishing 15 lavish stadiums “designed to accommodate a global influx of fans, support long-term infrastructure needs and sporting ambitions, and transform into vibrant hubs for sports and community engagement.”
A Powerful Symbiosis
The collaboration between the Saudi Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Sport is reshaping the relation between sport, culture and global tourism, according to Al-Khateeb. This has transformed sporting events in Saudi Arabia into platforms of storytelling, expression and national pride.
Moreover, visitors foster a deeper connection to Saudi Arabia through a fusion of immersive fan experiences, heritage-driven activities and world-class entertainment.
Promoting Sustainability
Al-Khateeb noted that Saudi Arabia is committed to sustainability, as a core element of Vision 2030 initiatives. Hence, all major sporting events take sustainable practices into consideration.
“Through the Saudi Green Initiative, the Kingdom has pledged to source 50% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2060. Saudi Arabia has therefore been ensuring, as well as proving, that not only do sustainability and progress go hand in hand, but sustainable practices remain central to our sporting infrastructure,” he said.
Investing in Youth
The Saudi Tourism Minister said that the Kingdom is supporting young talents, believing in their abilities to drive progress. Sports tourism plays a key role in that regard. “It is reflected by the communities it uplifts, the opportunities it provides, and the future it builds,” Al-Khateeb noted.
“I am a firm believer that in Saudi Arabia, the future belongs to the youth and generations to come. With 63% of Saudis under the age of 30, this nation is driven by young talent, bold ambition, and an unstoppable drive for progress,” he added.
In the light of this, more than 20,000 players are part of the Schools League, supported by 18 youth regional training centers across Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, a $300 million annual investment continues to strengthen football club development to ensure sport excellence.
The Saudi Minister also pointed to the growth of women’s sports in Saudi Arabia, which has surged by 149% since 2015, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to a diverse and competitive sporting nation.
The Way Forward
As part of its transformative plans, Saudi Arabia aims to attract 150 million international tourists annually by 2030, with direct flights from 250 destinations, reinforcing its position as a hub for global sports tourism, according to Al-Khateeb.
“The road ahead is an unprecedented opportunity — for players, for fans, and for nations harnessing the power of sport as a driver for transformation. As Saudi Arabia continues this visionary journey, it is not only preparing to host the world, it is shaping the future of sports tourism beyond the game,” the Saudi Minister added.
