Saudi Arabia & the beautiful game
A football
nation on the rise
Empowering Future Generations
Growing the game at every level
Saudi Arabia is a country with a deep-rooted passion for football . As male and female participation increases at a rapid pace, the Kingdom continues to invest and grow the game, empowering future generations to compete on the biggest international stages.
Developing Sports for Everyone
Opening up new opportunities
Sport is a key pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and a driver of the Kingdom’s transformation – enabling positive societal change, with more girls, boys, men, and women participating in sports than ever before.
$5.76bn
sports industry value, with aim
to reach $22bn by 2030
300%
increase in active population since
2015
3x
increase in number of sports federations,
from 32 back in 2015
100+
international sports events hosted since 2018 across 40 different sports
98
sports federations, featuring almost 40
women’s national teams
22,000
Current direct jobs in sports, with aims to reach 165k+ by 2030
#Saudi2034BID
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
The Saudi Pro League (SPL) stands as the pinnacle of Saudi football and is a symbol of the country’s dynamic growth in the sport.
Established in 1976, it is one of the strongest leagues in Asia and is home to more than 156 players from 54 different countries, including some of football’s biggest global stars. Competed between 18 clubs across Saudi Arabia, it is undergoing massive development across all areas of the game – both off and on the pitch.
Match attendances grew by 180% since 2018, coupled by a 650% increase in broadcast revenue with matches being broadcast across over 160 countries over the world.
Youth investment also lies at the heart of the SPL, with new opportunities being created for players to develop their talent. From 2025-26, all clubs must include at least 10 U-21 players in their squad list.
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is driving major societal transformation and has a strong track record of hosting mega sports events, including Formula 1, Formula E, the Spanish and Italian Super Cups, world heavyweight boxing championships, and the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023™.
Backed by proven hosting credentials and significant investment in its sports ecosystem, Saudi Arabia is set to host a comprehensive lineup of international sporting events, such as the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and 2034 Asian Games.
Saudi Arabia is a three-time AFC Asian Cup champion and the first Asian nation to reach the final of a senior FIFA competition. The Green Falcons have participated in the FIFA World Cup™ on six occasions – most recently in 2022 when the team secured a historic victory over eventual champions Argentina.
The commitment of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) to invest and grow the game at every level across the men’s and women’s game has been highlighted by recent achievements, including winning the men’s U-23 AFC Asian Cup, opening 17 youth training centers and 19 talent discovery programs to nurture young Saudi talent, and increasing licensed coaches from 2,300 in 2021 to over 6,200 today, 1,000 of whom are women.
Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a global center of football and hub for sports, entertainment, and leisure – ready to welcome fans from across the region and around the world.
Fans visiting Saudi Arabia will witness the Kingdom’s development, experience its welcoming society, culture, and heritage, and become part of its history. The region’s common love for football will shine for the world to see, bringing fans and players together for an unforgettable edition of this iconic tournament.
With connections to more than 250 destinations and a 330m annual airline passenger capacity by 2030, Saudi Arabia will host all matches in the Kingdom - streamlining travel and optimizing match scheduling.
