BEYOND THE GAME:
THE RISE OF SAUDI SPORTS
2024: A YEAR IN SPORT- THE HIGHLIGHTS
Saudi Arabia makes global waves in sports
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January 2024Carlos Sainz wins the 5th Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia
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February 2024PFL MENA announced at PFL’s “Champions v Champions” fight night in Riyadh
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March 2024World Masters of Snooker debuts in Saudi Arabia at the Boulevard Arena, Riyadh
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March 2024Anthony Joshua KOs Francis Ngannou at “Knockout Chaos”
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March 2024Max Verstappen takes the top step of the podium at the 4th edition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah
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April 2024The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup brings world title showjumping to Saudi Arabia for the first ever time
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May 2024Hattan Alsaif makes history with stunning KO in amateur MMA debut
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May 2024Most viewed SPL season ever ends – with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring 50 goals in 51 games
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July 2024The inaugural Esports World Cup welcomed the gaming world to Riyadh – competing for $60m in prize-money
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July 2024Saudi Arabia is announced as debut host of the Esports Olympic Games in 12-year deal with IOC
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September 202417 Saudis compete at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi winning gold in the men’s 100m T3
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October 2024Saudi hosted a Women’s World Title fight for the first time as Australia’s Skye Nicholson met Brit Raven Chapman
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October 2024Francis Ngannou makes a sensational return to the MMA cage in his PFL debut
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Oct-Nov 2024The Ladies European Tour returns to the capital with its $1million Aramco Team Series - Riyadh event
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November 2024WTA finals take place in Riyadh for the first time, as part of a new three-year deal with the Saudi Tennis Federation
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November 2024The finale of the Super League Triathlon (SLT) in NEOM where league titles were decided
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December 2024Saudi Arabia wins the right to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup – the biggest event in world sport
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December 2024The Next Gen ATP Finals return to Jeddah, with tennis’ top eight under-20s going head-to-head
TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT
$16.5 billion: the projected annual contribution of the sports industry to GDP by 2030, equating to 1.5% of GDP.
$7.2 billion: the value of Saudi Arabia’s sports market in 2023, up from $6.4 billion in 2022.
$8 billion to $22.4 billion: the expected market value of the sports industry between now and 2030.
$2 billion invested annually by Saudi Arabia into the sports sector.
$22 billion in economic impact and 100,000+ jobs expected within the next decade from sports investments.
$2.7 billion planned for upgrading and building new sports facilities by 2028.
Nearly 50% now engage in 30 minutes of weekly exercise, up from 13% in 2015.
126 multi-sport clubs in 2024, compared to just 9 in 2019.
98 sports federations in 2024, marking a 200% growth from 32 in 2015.
149% increase in female sports participation since 2015.
330,000+ registered female athletes, alongside thousands of women coaches, mentors, referees, and sports doctors.
40 women's national teams now operate across 25 different sporting federations.
GAME-CHANGING SPORTS
A RAPIDLY DEVELOPING, MODERN SPORTING LANDSCAPE
01
TENNIS
TENNIS
Saudi Arabia is on the path to becoming a global tennis hub, with the aim to introduce one million Saudis to the game by 2030
177 tennis clubs in Saudi Arabia, representing a 146% increase since 2019.
46% growth in registered tennis players since 2019, reaching 2,300 players.
40 national tournaments annually, ITF junior tennis tournaments.
02
PADEL
PADEL
Padel is considered a priority sport in the Saudi National Sports Strategy – with that impact already being felt
100,000+ grassroots players engaging in padel monthly across Saudi Arabia.
Leading the region: Saudi Arabia boasts the highest number of padel clubs in Asia.
1,097 padel courts in Saudi Arabia, almost 30% of all facilities in Asia.
03
E-SPORTS
E-SPORTS
Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global e-sports hub through major investments and events
2nd globally: Saudi Arabia’s rank in average daily time spent playing video games.
23.5+ million gaming enthusiasts, representing 67% of Saudi Arabia's population.
$13.3 billion projected contribution of the e-sports sector to Saudi Arabia's GDP by 2030.
04
FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL
A nation’s passion for football sees the transformation of women’s football
86% increase in women footballers since 2021.
70,000 girls playing football as part of the year-round Saudi Schools League.
$13 million allocated to support 34 clubs and 4 national teams (Senior, U20, U17 & Futsal) across 5 competitions.
05
MASS PARTICIPATION SPORTS
MASS PARTICIPATION SPORTS
Saudis are more active than ever thanks to an inspiring 100+ global events being staged in the country
Saudi athletes secured 15 gold, 23 silver, and 32 bronze medals across different sports under Elite Athletes' Development Program.
24% increase in national triathlon participation in Saudi Arabia since 2022.
295,000+ participants in Sports for All events in 2023.
RISING TALENT RISING TALENT
RISING TALENT RISING TALENT
HATTAN ALSAIF
“I’m really proud and happy to have SURJ helping us, giving us opportunities to showcase our sport and our love for it. 2024 has been a year full of surprises – it changed my life. 2025 is going to be a huge year for the sport – Saudi Arabia will become the capital of MMA.”
SAAD AL-MOUSA
"The sports sector is vital because it connects with every individual—whether as a lifestyle choice or a professional pursuit. Its growth enhances quality of life within Saudi Arabia and drives broader economic and tourism benefits, as highlighted by experts in these sectors. It’s a key pillar of progress that positively impacts society and the country alike"