The Sports Investment Forum 2026 opened in Riyadh, bringing together senior officials, investors, and industry leaders for a three-day program examining sport’s role as a driver of economic growth and diversification.

The event, which features keynote discussions, an exhibition, and a series of deal signings, began with a session on the economic impact of sports investment, alongside the launch of a business platform to facilitate partnerships between public and private sector stakeholders.

Speakers highlighted the sector’s rapid expansion under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy. Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Esports Federation, said gaming and esports have emerged as a strategic pillar, with investments reaching $13.3 billion, and stressed the importance of private-sector participation in sustaining growth.

Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman, Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Arabian Water Sports and Diving Federation, described sports investment as a key economic lever, supported by government backing, that enables significant transformation across the sector.

Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Nasser, Chairman of the Saudi Table Tennis Federation, noted that investment is expanding beyond football into a broader range of disciplines, citing growth in participation, including more than 6,000 professional table tennis players in the Kingdom.

He also announced plans to launch the country’s first professional table tennis league in partnership with the private sector, alongside expanded broadcasting to increase audience reach. Meanwhile, Prince Salman bin Abdullah bin Salman, Chief Executive Officer of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said investment is enhancing infrastructure, improving competition standards, and strengthening the spectator experience, positioning the sector as a contributor to economic diversification.

On the sidelines of the forum, a $267 million agreement was signed to develop a sports city in Dammam, led by private sector partners in collaboration with the Sharqia Development Authority and the Ministry of Investment.

Additional initiatives include a pipeline of sports events in the Eastern Province valued at around $4 million, as well as agreements covering human rights cooperation and the development of shooting sports with the Events Investment Fund and the Saudi Shooting Federation.

The forum’s agenda also explores the intersection of sports with tourism, media, and technology, with dedicated sessions on investment structures, artificial intelligence, urban innovation, and women’s participation in the sector.