King Abdullah Sport City Stadium known as Alinma Stadium and Jewel StadiumSaudi Arabia is rapidly redefining its position in the global travel market, with sport emerging as one of the Kingdom’s most powerful tourism catalysts. Through strategic investment, high-profile international events and long-term infrastructure planning, Saudi Arabia is using sport to drive visitation, global visibility and economic diversification under Vision 2030.
Across the Middle East, the sports sector is already valued at around US$600 billion and is forecast to grow by 8.7% annually through 2026, outpacing many mature markets. With the global sports market expected to exceed US$600 billion by 2030, the region—and Saudi Arabia in particular—is playing a central role in shaping future demand.
Women’s participation is another key area of growth. New professional women’s football leagues in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are expanding access and visibility, while initiatives across schools and communities are driving higher levels of inclusion. In Saudi Arabia alone, female participation in sport has increased by 150% since the launch of Vision 2030, an indicator of how deeply sports are being woven into the region’s social fabric.
Sport as a Tourism Accelerator
Major sporting events are increasingly recognised as travel drivers rather than standalone attractions. From the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to international boxing, golf and football events, Saudi Arabia has hosted more than 100 global sporting fixtures in recent years, drawing millions of spectators and generating international media exposure
High-profile moments—such as Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr FC—have further amplified global awareness of the Saudi sports scene, reinforcing the Kingdom’s ambitions to position itself as a must-visit destination for fans, leisure travellers and event-driven visitors alike.
Globally, sports tourism already accounts for roughly 10% of total tourism spending, with industry analysts forecasting the segment to grow to US$2 trillion by 2030, according to Gulf-based economic reporting. Saudi Arabia’s expanding sports calendar places it well to capture a growing share of this market.
Vision 2030 and the Sports Economy
At the core of this transformation is Vision 2030, which positions sport as a driver of both economic growth and social development. Saudi Arabia’s sports economy is projected to grow from approximately US$8 billion to US$22.4 billion by 2030, supported by investment across elite competitions, grassroots participation and women’s sports initiatives. This holistic approach is creating year-round travel demand, extending visitor stays and diversifying tourism flows beyond traditional leisure peaks—key priorities for the Kingdom’s wider tourism strategy.
The 2034 FIFA World Cup: A Defining Milestone
Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup marks a landmark moment in its sports-led tourism journey. The tournament will be staged across 15 stadiums in multiple cities, including Riyadh and Jeddah, with projects embedded into broader urban regeneration and sustainability plans, according to Arab News and regional business reporting.
Analysts expect the World Cup to attract millions of international visitors, significantly boosting hotel demand, air connectivity and destination awareness. The long-term legacy—improved transport networks, upgraded hospitality infrastructure and globally recognised venues—is expected to extend well beyond the tournament itself.
Innovative projects, including stadiums linked to future-focused developments such as NEOM, highlight how Saudi Arabia is blending sport, technology and destination development in ways that resonate with modern travellers.
For the global travel industry, Saudi Arabia’s sports boom represents a structural shift rather than a short-term trend. Sporting events are becoming anchors for destination growth, unlocking opportunities across aviation, hospitality, tour operations and premium travel experiences.
As the Kingdom continues to expand its global sports footprint, sport is no longer a supporting act—it is becoming one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential engines of travel growth.
