The State of Digital Governmemt - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2021

Sports Investmens
in Saudi Arabia

Astonishing Transformation in Saudi Sports in the Era of Saudi Vision 2030

Today, the sports sector is experiencing a significant evolution, where the engagement of the Saudi society in sports has doubled, and there has been a qualitative shift in women's participation in just four years. Especially notable is the substantial economic boost from hosting major international sports events, achieving $500 million in 2022, contributing to the sports sector's growth in the GDP beyond expectations.

About the Report

The report highlights a significant transformation in the sports sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the establishment of the General Sports Authority in 2016. The Authority focused on developing comprehensive strategies to enhance sports and attract private investments. Thanks to these efforts, the Kingdom has seen effective integration of women into sports through diverse programs and sports academies for women, leading to an increase in the number of women participating in sports.

The report emphasizes how the Kingdom's hosting of major international sports events, such as Dakar and Formula One, has bolstered its standing as a prominent sports and tourism destination in the region. This was further enhanced by the historic transfer of the football legend Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi 'Roshan' League, impacting the level of Saudi sports and increasing global interest.

The scope was not limited to international promotion but also included significant investments in developing new sports facilities, such as the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. This opens new prospects for sports tourism and enhances the Kingdom's attractiveness as a global center for major sports events, all of which is reflected in a 250% increase in mentions of 'Saudi Arabia' on social media platforms.