Latest news with #SportsBoulevard
Arab News
5 days ago
- Sport
- Arab News
Sands Sports Park playing key role in improving quality of life in Riyadh
RIYADH: The capital's Sands Sports Park is one of the flagship components of the Sports Boulevard project, combining the natural beauty of the desert with a range of sporting facilities. Located southeast of King Khalid International Airport, the park is designed to enhance residents' quality of life, inspiring them to exercise and enjoy nature, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently. The facility opened earlier this year and is a significant addition to the Kingdom's growing network of sporting and entertainment offerings. The park stretches across a vast expanse of sand dunes and features more than 45 km of multi-use trails, making it the longest open-air project dedicated to outdoor activities in the Kingdom. Sands Sports Park was designed with local heritage in mind, and features sculptures of the Najdi rose at the convergence of several trails. Several specialized trails offer different activities including cycling, mountain biking, running, walking, hiking and horseback riding. In its construction, more than 350,000 sq. meters of sand dunes were rehabilitated with facilities integrated into the terrain to preserve the natural ecosystem, demonstrating dedication to sustainability and mindful urban development. The park is also equipped to host major cycling competitions and endurance races, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's presence on the global map of sports and eco-tourism, aligning with the rising international interest in outdoor and sustainable experiences. As a symbol of Riyadh's dynamic transformation, the park merges modern vision with cultural authenticity, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the SPA reported. By expanding access to safe, inclusive, and sustainable recreation, the park plays a key role in shaping a more vibrant, livable capital and encouraging a deeper connection between people and nature.
Gulf Insider
08-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Drives Middle East Push Into $600B
Saudi Arabia is spearheading the Middle East's emergence as a global sports powerhouse, backed by large-scale investment, major event hosting and rapid growth in digital sectors, according to a new report by global consultancy Kearney. The report, titled From Passion to Profit: Unlocking Value in Sports , projects the global sports market will exceed $600 billion by 2030. It identifies the Middle East as playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry, citing policy reforms, infrastructure spending and a strong push into esports as core drivers of the region's influence. Saudi Arabia has allocated $38 billion to become a global centre for gaming and esports, while also advancing broader development of sports infrastructure and event management under its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. 'The region is innovating at scale: from Riyadh's Sports Boulevard and Qatar's integrated World Cup infrastructure to the UAE's growing ecosystem of digital fan platforms,' said Mohamed Hashem, Partner and Sports Lead for the Middle East and Africa at Kearney. 'Rather than replicating Western models, countries across the region are testing new frameworks that align sport with broader economic and societal ambitions.' The report highlights the transformation taking place across the region, with the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain also playing significant roles through investment in elite talent development, digital platforms, and hosting of global sporting events. The Middle East has strengthened its position on the global sports calendar in recent years by hosting a range of high-profile competitions. These include the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Dubai Tennis Championships, and the upcoming Olympic Esports Games set to take place in Saudi Arabia. According to Kearney, these events reflect more than just regional ambition. They are part of a coordinated strategy to integrate sports into long-term economic planning, drive tourism, and increase international visibility. Infrastructure development is accelerating in parallel. Governments across the Middle East are investing in next-generation stadiums, high-performance training academies and integrated digital ecosystems to support long-term growth in the sector. In the UAE, the sports ecosystem continues to expand, with Dubai recently confirmed as the host of the inaugural World Sports Summit in December 2025. The event was announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and is expected to further elevate the region's standing in global sports discourse. Kearney's report also highlighted the role of digital-native sectors, with esports identified as a major area of opportunity. Saudi Arabia's $38 billion commitment to developing a world-leading gaming sector is seen as emblematic of the broader shift toward younger audiences, digital engagement, and immersive experiences. This youth-centric focus is being echoed in fan engagement strategies across the region, with a growing emphasis on streaming, personalised content and interactive platforms. Women's participation in sports is also growing. New professional women's football leagues have launched in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, while community-level initiatives are expanding access and inclusion. In Saudi Arabia alone, female sports participation has increased by 150 per cent since the introduction of Vision 2030. Kearney's report identifies five key growth levers for organisations aiming to capture greater value in the sports sector. These include commercial excellence—across media rights, sponsorship, matchday revenue, merchandise, and talent monetisation—alongside fan engagement and insights, platform expansion, technology-driven innovation, and operational efficiency. 'Free from legacy constraints,' Hashem said, 'the Middle East is well positioned to develop sports models that align with its economic and social priorities.' The report concludes that the region's blend of financial commitment, strategic planning, and openness to innovation is allowing it to play an increasingly central role in global sports. The shift is not only contributing to economic diversification in Gulf countries but also reshaping how sports are structured, monetised, and experienced read: Game On for $70M Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia
Arab News
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
‘The Arts Tower' brings new meaning and color to Riyadh's Sports Boulevard
RIYADH: As you venture down the promenade of the capital's latest attraction, Sports Boulevard, a new landmark is sure to catch your eye. A tower at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road bursts with color and character. The mind behind this work, named 'The Arts Tower,' is renowned Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem, who has centered the mundane within the architectural landscape early on in his career with works like 'Siraat' (The Path) and 'Road to Makkah.' Gharem told Arab News: 'This piece is a witness to the transformation that's happening here. It's a symbol of investment into the cultural infrastructure as proof of how important that is to any society or community. I think the tower represents this transformation, especially that it, in itself, transforms one of the symbols of energy into a beacon for creative expression.' Previously one of numerous 83.5-meter electricity pylons, the tower was meant to be removed for the sake of the Sports Boulevard project. 'I asked if I could have one,' Gharem said, explaining that, as one of the nominated artists to propose a work to beautify the boulevard, he was keen to use the existing structure. • The selected proposal features a total of 691 colored panels that were installed to bring the tower's vibrant facade to life. • The pieces used are all related to the grand narrative of the Kingdom, including economic diversity, cultural transformations, and social changes. Author and curator Nato Thompson said about the work in a statement: 'By repurposing a symbol of energy infrastructure and turning it into a beacon of artistic expression, Gharem highlights the evolving role of culture and art in Saudi Arabia's development journey. 'It stands as living proof of the Kingdom's commitment to nurturing its cultural landscape, making arts and creativity an inseparable part of its identity just as oil and energy were in the past.' The selected proposal features a total of 691 colored panels that were installed to bring the tower's vibrant facade to life. It utilizes elements from Saudi architecture and patterns we recognize from our old homes, primarily the triangular shape. 'I was lucky that the tower was made up of triangles, which is a geometrical shape that brings together the different regions of the Kingdom and the historical features of our beginnings, so it's a symbol of unity,' Gharem said. The pieces used are all related to the grand narrative of the Kingdom, including economic diversity, cultural transformations, and social changes. This piece is a witness to the transformation that's happening here. It's a symbol of investment into the cultural infrastructure as proof of how important that is to any society or community. Abdulnasser Gharem, Saudi artist 'The colors are alluding to the connection between our history and heritage and the concepts of cheerfulness and mental hospitality. A tower always forces you to look up.' For Gharem, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, like 'The Arts Tower,' constantly lifts eyes upward, motivating people to leap from the familiar into the unexpected, pushing them to embrace the future with imagination. 'The piece is based on sunlight,' he said. 'The daylight gives a completely, completely different dimension to the work compared to its urban illumination during the night. 'The colors do not just appear; they shift, transform, and come alive in different ways throughout the day. Here, nature becomes a crucial element to the structure.' Even the wind has played a part in determining the number and placement of the colored pieces used. 'It taught me that there needs to be some gaps in order to allow the piece to breathe and I was forced to humble myself upon the power of nature. 'The wind became my partner in design,' he said. 'The Arts Tower' is designed to make people feel represented and connected. While the Sports Boulevard promotes physical activity, the creative landmark serves a deeper purpose: it is a thoughtful space meant to inspire human interaction and community — and more importantly, invite them to slow down, engage, and ponder the future. 'Culture is one of the key factors for our country's development path. At the end of the day, culture is just as important as energy. It's worth investing in, and it's a certificate that the Kingdom is committed to nurturing its cultural scene,' Gharem said.
Mid East Info
14-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Mega Contracts and World Records Take Centre Stage at Day Two of MEED's Saudi Giga Projects Summit - Middle East Business News and Information
Major announcements from Diriyah Company, Sports Boulevard and AlUla Development Company signal Vision 2030 in full acceleration Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 2025:From $20bn in upcoming fit-out contracts to the world's tallest indoor climbing wall, Day Two of MEED's Saudi Giga Projects Summit 2025 spotlighted the ambition and scale of Saudi Arabia's transformation, delivering real progress in sustainable urban development, innovation, and private investment. Taking place at The Venue by ROSHN group, the three-day summit (12–14 May) features more than 70 expert speakers and project leaders driving forward the Kingdom's development priorities under Vision 2030. Opening the day, conference chairman Lucien Zeigler, Managing Partner at RedSalt Advisory Company, underlined the collective responsibility behind Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030: 'From ministers to citizens, we are all stakeholders.' The Summit included key updates from the country's biggest projects. A standout update came from Diriyah Company, where Executive Director of Retail Design and Delivery Sharat Kumar revealed that the company is preparing to offer fit-out works worth approximately SR20bn ($5.3bn) across a wide portfolio that includes retail, commercial, and educational assets. Kumar added that since the project's inception, Diriyah has awarded over $20bn in construction contracts from a total budget of $63bn, covering three masterplans: Diriyah, Wadi Safar and Wadi Hanifa. The Sports Boulevard Foundation also made headlines, confirming that the design phase for its 130-metre-tall Global Sports Tower is now complete, with construction to begin next year. The 84,000sqm facility will host more than 30 sports disciplines, including the world's tallest indoor climbing wall (98m) and a 250m running track. The broader Sports Boulevard will become the world's longest linear park, stretching over 135 kilometres across Riyadh. A headline panel on 'Innovation and Urban Design for Smart Infrastructure' brought together leaders from ROSHN, King Salman Park Foundation, Jacobs, Kirkland & Ellis and Sustainability Professionals of Saudi Arabia to explore how smart cities can deliver quality of life through mobility, sustainability, and human-centric design. Robbie McBratney of ROSHN Group noted that 'For ROSHN, smart cities are not about retrofitting – sustainability is in the DNA of the project.' Building on the day's focus on digital innovation, a dedicated workshop hosted by Nemetschek Group turned the spotlight on AI-driven design, digital twins, and smarter collaboration across architecture and construction. With a €14 billion market cap and 7.5 million users worldwide, Nemetschek is actively partnering with Saudi stakeholders to reshape how cities are designed and built. Private sector involvement in giga projects was also a focus, with insight on easing budget pressure and boosting investment. Khaled Alrubaian of the National Center for Privatization (NCP) revealed that upcoming partnership opportunities are valued at around $150 billion. As the summit concludes tomorrow, discussions will look ahead to Saudi Arabia's next chapter, with an agenda tackling infrastructure challenges, scaling water delivery, and preparing for globally significant events including the 2029 Asian Winter Games, Riyadh Expo 2030, and the FIFA World Cup 2034. About MEEDMEED is the Middle East's leading business intelligence and events platform. Since 1957, it has delivered essential news, analysis, and data on the region's biggest projects, economies, and business trends. MEED Events convene decision-makers, project leaders, and innovators to shape the future of the region through curated summits, awards, and insight-led
FACT
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Sand Dunes Festival promises fitness fun in Riyadh
This sporting event offers fun for fitness enthusiasts. Saudi Arabia is making big moves. And when it comes to entertainment and fitness, it's making sure that everyone within the Kingdom has access to world-class activities. One shining example of this is the newly opened Sports Boulevard in Riyadh. And now, to take things up a notch, it's hosting an exciting event called the Sand Dunes Festival. Taking place on 14 and 15 March, at Sands Sports Park in the red sand dunes located near King Khalid International Airport, the Sand Dunes Festival offers an adventurous experience. Here, it's all about movement and community spirit. Whether you're a fitness fanatic or just looking for a fun day out, this event is open to all. In the heart of the red sand dunes 🏜 The "Sand Dunes Festival" kicks off at Sands Sports Park, featuring running and cycling events, along with a variety of family-friendly activities suitable for all ages and abilities 🌟 Register now and be part of this exciting festival! — Sports Boulevard (@SportsBlvdEn) March 8, 2025 The Sand Dunes Festival promises cycling and racing for those looking to indulge. Cyclists will get courses ranging from 7km to 31.4km, plus a special 4km route for young riders. If running is more your style, the Running Challenge, with distances from 4km to 13km, plus a 2km run for children, is where you ought to be. And if you're not cycling or running, you can enjoy family-friendly activities like games, food stalls featuring local and international flavours, live entertainment and cultural performances, and dedicated spectator areas to cheer on the participants. As for the Sands Sports Park, it boasts mountainous and sandy bike trails, a resort, pedestrian pathways, horse-riding tracks, and even art attractions, making it the perfect setting for a festival that combines adventure, fitness and fun. Whether you're lacing up your running shoes, hopping on your bike, or simply looking for a night of fun under the stars, the Sand Dunes Festival promises an unforgettable experience for all. GO: Visit for more information.
