Riyadh Season 2025: Comedy festival with Dave Chappelle, WWE Royal Rumble, Boulevard World and more
Running from October to March, the seasonal festival in the Saudi capital will take place across venues throughout the city, with programming spanning entertainment, sport, culture, food and retail.
Launched in 2019, the festival is now a major attraction, hosting exclusive events and steadily expanding its offerings.
While the full programme is yet to be revealed, Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, said the season's concert line-up will have 'a strong presence of Saudi and Gulf content, in addition to a notable participation of Syrian artists in theatrical performances and concerts'.
With more to be announced soon on Riyadh Season's social media channels, here is what we know so far about the event.
1. Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart and more to headline comedy festival
Could this be the best comedy festival line-up of the year?
Launching as the official prelude to the festival from September 26 to October 9, it will involve more than 50 international and regional comedians performing across venues at Boulevard City, one of Riyadh's main entertainment districts.
With the line-up still to be fully revealed, some of the names already confirmed are Dave Chappelle (date to be revealed soon); Kevin Hart (September 28); Russell Peters (October 2 to 4); Louis C.K. (October 6); Sebastian Maniscalco (October 9); Chris Tucker (October 2) and Aziz Ansari (September 28).
2. WWE Royal Rumble and Benavidez – Yarde fight
WWE's Royal Rumble will take place this January at King Saud University Stadium. It will be the first time that the marquee event, which is broadcast live and watched by millions, is held outside the US. Exact dates are to be announced soon. Boxing fans can also look forward to The Ring IV on November 22 at ANB Arena in Boulevard City, featuring a headline bout between David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde, alongside three additional world title fights.
3. Boulevard World returns more than a dozen cultural zones
A bigger Boulevard World is on the horizon as part of Riyadh Season, with organisers confirming an expanded layout.
As in previous years, culture remains at the heart of the sprawling entertainment zone, with more than a dozen country pavilions set to return – each offering food, performances and crafts from across the globe, in a format reminiscent of Dubai's Global Village.
With the 2023 site reportedly stretching 1.2km – and last year's capacity increased by 30 per cent – the venue is massive, featuring attractions such as a life-size replica of the Egyptian pyramids.
A three-minute cable car will once again connect Boulevard World to Boulevard City – the adjacent hub for live entertainment and fine dining.
While specific dates are yet to be announced, the zone is expected to open daily throughout the winter.
4. Khaleeji artists and Saudi theatre take the spotlight
Riyadh Season 2025 will place a strong emphasis on Gulf and Syrian performers across its music and theatre programming.
While an official line-up is yet to be announced, organisers can be expected to schedule performances by Khaleeji pop-stars and traditional music ensembles across multiple zones. On the theatre front, new Saudi plays are likely to be shown in venues such as Boulevard City and Al Suwaidi Park.
International acts may still appear in limited categories – including sport and comedy, but the cultural focus this year will remain regional.
5. Top zones to visit: Via Riyadh, Boulevard City and more
Riyadh Season is spread across various areas of the city in 14 themed zones, each offering its own distinct atmosphere and tailored programme. While Boulevard City and Boulevard World remain the major drawcards, several other zones are worth a visit.
Via Riyadh caters to luxury seekers with high-end retail and fine dining outlets. The Groves, styled like a European riverside town, features food vendors and evening cultural events. At Souq Al Awaleen, visitors can browse an open-air market selling oud, textiles, cookware and traditional clothing. Some zones are ticketed, others free to enter.
6. Djokovic, Alcaraz and Sinner to compete at Riyadh's Six Kings Slam
Half a dozen tennis champions will hit the courts as part of The Six Kings Slam championship, running at ANB Arena from October 15 and 18. The exhibition event features six top-ranked players: Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Jack Draper. Tickets will go on sale soon.
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'She said SIUUUU': Fans, celebrities react to Cristiano Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez's engagement
After years of speculation, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez are officially engaged — and social media can't stop talking about it. The 30-year-old model confirmed the news on Monday with a surprise Instagram post, sharing a close-up of her hand adorned with a dazzling diamond ring. Her caption, though originally in Spanish, was simple: "Yes, I do. In this life and in all my lives." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Georgina RodriÌ�guez (@georginagio) The couple's love story began in 2016 when they met at a Gucci store in Madrid. Since then, they've built a life together, raising five children and currently residing in Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr. Star-studded congratulations The engagement sparked an outpouring of warm wishes from fans and celebrities alike. British broadcaster Piers Morgan took to social media to congratulate the 'delightful couple,' adding: 'I wish them as much success in their marriage as he's had on the football pitch!' Under the post, he wrote: "Wonderful news! Many congrats to you both." American singer-songwriter shared her excitement in the comment section. She wrote, "Wowwwwww." Dubai-based entrepreneur and social media influencer Karen Wazen showered her support. "Yesssss," she wrote with a string of red hearts. Even YouTube's official account joined in, writing "congratulations" and accompanying it with celebratory emojis and red hearts under Georgina's post. Fans flood the internet Within minutes of the announcement, Georgina's post racked up millions of likes and thousands of comments from around the world. At the time of writing this article, the post stands with 9.9 million likes and over 215,000 comments. Fans praised the couple's enduring romance, with one user writing, 'Finally! Been waiting for this moment for years,' while another joked, 'The World Cup of weddings is coming!' One of the comments included: "She said SIUUUUU." On X (formerly Twitter), 'Ronaldo' and 'Georgina' quickly trended, with posts ranging from heartfelt congratulations to memes predicting the scale of their wedding. While details of the ceremony remain under wraps, one thing is certain — the event will be one of the most anticipated celebrity weddings in recent years, uniting the best of football and global pop culture.
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Cristiano Ronaldo engaged to Georgina Rodriguez: A timeline of their relationship
On Monday night, model and entrepreneur Georgina Rodriguez made a surprise announcement on Instagram. Showing off a huge oval diamond ring, the 31-year-old revealed she is now engaged to football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, nine years and four kids after. Currently living in Saudi Arabia — Ronaldo plays for the club Al-Nassr — the couple have never shied away from sharing glimpses of their life together on social media. The Argentine-Spanish model rose to fame through her relationship with Ronaldo, 40, and has built a massive following across Instagram and other social media channels. From meeting at a Gucci store to their headline-grabbing engagement, here's a look back at their relationship so far: 2017: First meeting to first pregnancy The Portuguese footballer was dating model Irina Shayk before he met Rodriguez. She was working as a sales assistant at a Gucci store when she met the footballer. They began dating shortly after. Rodriguez was 22 at the time. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. In her Netflix series, 'I Am Georgina', Rodriguez described the early days of their relationship as a "very special start". She also shared that Ronaldo would often pick her up from work in luxury cars. "He would come, I remember once, once in a Bugatti. My coworkers went crazy. They get there on the bus, and I would leave in a Bugatti. I mean people couldn't believe it." They made their first official appearance together — with Ronaldo's oldest son Cristiano Jr — at the Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich, according to People. The couple made their relationship Instagram official in March 2017 when Ronaldo posted a picture of the two of them cuddling on a couch. He captioned the post with a single red heart emoji. That same year, Ronaldo announced the birth of their twins via surrogate. "So happy to be able to hold the two new loves of my life," he captioned a photo of himself gazing at his two newborn babies, Eva and Mateo. A lot happened for the couple in the same year. Weeks after the twins were born, the couple announced that Rodriguez was pregnant. Ronaldo confirmed the pregnancy to the Spanish news outlet El Mundo, saying that he was very excited about becoming a father for the fourth time. Their daughter Alana Martina was born on November 12, 2017. 2018: Engagement rumours Ronaldo transferred to Juventus after a nine-year career with Real Madrid. Soon after, Georgina was spotted wearing a sparkling diamond ring in a since-deleted Instagram Story, sparking engagement rumours. 2021: Expecting twins In October 2021, the couple announced that they were expecting twins by posting a selfie holding a sonogram.
The National
13 hours ago
- The National
Prince Faisal: Saudi Arabia will help shape the future of esports
For Prince Faisal bin Bandar, gaming and sport are no longer separate worlds — they are converging industries, shaping culture, economies and careers. And Saudi Arabia, he says, is determined to be at the centre of that conversation. As president of the Saudi Esports Federation, Prince Faisal has seen the Kingdom's gaming and esports scene grow from niche gatherings to globally recognised tournaments. Under Vision 2030, the goal is no longer only to host major events, but to help set the agenda for how these industries evolve worldwide. Prince Faisal tells The National: 'Hosting NGSC positions Saudi Arabia as a global thought leader and a central convener in the converging worlds of gaming, esports and traditional sport. 'Our ambition is not only to host an event, it is to lead the conversation and directly influence the trajectory of these industries on a global scale," he continues. The coming New Global Sport Conference, to be held in Riyadh on August 23 and 24 under the theme The Next Game – Building the Future of Gaming, Esports and Sports, is the latest platform for this ambition. It will bring together policymakers, investors, athletes, creators and industry experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead. A cross-section of global leaders The speaker line-up spans sport, gaming, technology and investment. Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will share the stage with Ralf Reichert, chief executive of the Esports World Cup Foundation, as well as Peter Moore, former chief executive of Liverpool FC. From the gaming industry, participants include Toshimoto Mitomo, chief strategy officer of Sony; Brian Ward, chief executive of Savvy Games Group; Joshua Taub, chief operating officer of Activision; Shuji Utsumi, president of SEGA; and Je Alipio, director of Disney Games for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East and North Africa. Hideo Kojima, founder of Kojima Productions, will appear with filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn to discuss creative storytelling and the crossover between cinema and interactive media. World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen will also attend, alongside Jens Hilgers, founding general partner of BITKRAFT Ventures. By design, Prince Faisal says, this diversity of voices reflects the NGSC's broader purpose: 'By bringing leaders from sport, gaming, technology and investment into one space, we are ensuring that the conversations are wide-ranging and solutions-focused". From hosting to shaping the industry Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has hosted a number of global events. Before that, the expertise was largely imported. Today, Saudi nationals oversee logistics, production, marketing and operations for events such as the Esports World Cup and NGSC. 'This is a direct outcome of our strategic investments in education, training programmes and creating pathways for youth to gain hands-on experience,' Prince Faisal says. 'The ability of Saudi nationals to successfully organise and execute complex global events proves that we are not only creating jobs, but also cultivating a new generation of highly competent professionals.' Beyond logistics, the aim is to shift perceptions. Competitive gamers in the Kingdom are now seen by many as role models, with more families supporting esports as a legitimate career path. Live events, Prince Faisal notes, allow spectators to witness 'something only one per cent of the world's top gamers can do', which has helped inspire the next generation. Shared values across industries Prince Faisal sees common ground between gaming, esports and traditional sport. 'All three demand skill, rigorous training and discipline,' he says. 'Whether it is the physical ability of a footballer, the strategic focus of an esports player, or the creative work of a game developer – excellence is essential.' As technology blurs the lines between them — from augmented reality in sports arenas to cinematic storytelling in games — he expects the boundaries between these worlds to dissolve even further. For him, NGSC is 'a global platform to foster dialogue and drive the strategic convergence of the gaming, esports and traditional sport industries'. The ambition, he says, is not just conversation, but lasting frameworks and partnerships that will shape the industries for decades to come. 'We are not merely observing this future, but are actively building it,' Prince Faisal says. 'By fostering cross-industry collaboration and investing in talent and infrastructure, we are creating new opportunities for athletes, creators and businesses.'
