Saudi sports sector hits SAR 32B, says assistant minister

Saudi Arabia’s sports sector has witnessed a major surge in value, reaching nearly SAR 32 billion, a sharp rise from less than SAR 5 billion in 2016 when Vision 2030 was first launched, according to Assistant Minister of Investment Ibrahim Almubarak.

Speaking at the 2025 Sports Investment Forum, Almubarak highlighted the sector’s rapid growth as a key success story under the Kingdom’s ambitious transformation agenda. He revealed that sports participation across the Kingdom had jumped from 13% to 48% since the start of Vision 2030, reflecting a cultural and economic shift in how sports are perceived and practiced.

“In 2016, we had a modest foundation. Today, Saudi Arabia’s sports sector is a SAR 32 billion industry with strong potential for continued growth,” said Almubarak.

“We are not only promoting sports as a means of health and entertainment but as a powerful engine for economic diversification, talent development, and national identity”, he added.

He also noted the creation of over 70 new sports federations, covering both Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines, as a testament to the Kingdom’s commitment to broadening the athletic landscape.

Almubarak emphasized that sports in Saudi Arabia now represent a real investment opportunity, with the potential to attract both domestic and international capital. The government, he said, is actively fostering long-term partnerships aimed at mutual growth and equal opportunity across the investment landscape.

“As we continue to grow, we invite the world to partner with us in shaping the future of sports, not just in Saudi Arabia, but globally,” he said.

The 2025 Sports Investment Forum is part of a broader effort to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for sports, in line with Vision 2030’s objectives to diversify the economy and enhance the Kingdom’s international standing.