Saudi Arabia’s sports boom has drawn 2.5 million tourists over the past four years, underscoring the Kingdom’s push to diversify its economy and expand its tourism sector, Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said. The influx is fueled by 80 international sporting events, which are reshaping the nation and advancing its Vision 2030 ambitions.

In a LinkedIn post, Al-Khateeb highlighted the transformative power of sports tourism, pointing to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah as a standout example. The Formula One event alone attracted spectators from 160 countries, generated $240 million in economic impact, and created 20,000 jobs.

Al-Khateeb called the 2034 FIFA World Cup the “natural next step” in Saudi Arabia’s transformation. The Kingdom is positioning to host one of the most accessible tournaments in history, with 60% of the world’s population within an eight-hour flight.

To support its growing status as a global sports hub, Saudi Arabia is investing in 15 new stadiums, ensuring long-term infrastructure development and accommodating an increasing influx of international fans.

With direct flights from 250 destinations and a commitment to positioning itself as a global hub, Saudi Arabia sees sports tourism as a powerful driver of transformation. “The road ahead is an unprecedented opportunity — for players, for fans, and for nations harnessing the power of sport as a driver for transformation,” he said.