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Saudi Arabia’s sports sector contributed USD 6.9 bn to the Kingdom’s GDP in 2023 and is expected to add USD 16.5 bn annually (1.5% of GDP) by 2030, according to a report (pdf) by Surj Sports Investment. By comparison, the sector contributed USD 2.4 bn to GDP in 2016, the report says.
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The value of the local sports market grew 12.5% y-o-y to USD 7.2 bn in 2023, with forecasts that the market will hit a value of between USD 8-22.4 bn between now and 2030. From 2018 to 2021, sports-related careers grew by 114%, according to the report.
The Kingdom invested USD 2 bn annually into the sports sector, expecting an economic impact of USD 22 bn and over 100k jobs within the next decade. In 2023, Saudi Arabia allocated USD 670 mn towards privatization and USD 320 mn in private sector sponsorships. Saudi Pro League clubs alone spent USD 957 mn on transfers over the same period, ranking Saudi Arabia second globally in net transfer spending behind the Premier League.
And it paid off: “The monumental vote to award Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup marks the culmination of nearly a decade of unrivaled sporting growth. Since 2019, Saudi Arabia has hosted more than 100 elite international events across 40 sports, firmly establishing itself as a leading destination for world-class competition, talent, and innovation,” CEO of SURJ Sports Investment Danny Townsend said.
Registered women athletes in Saudi Arabia rose 52% y-o-y to total 2k in 2023, while women’s participation in sports is up by 149% since 2015. Women now represent 45% of Neighbourhood Club members, which total 43k. In football, over 70k girls participated in the Saudi Schools League, and the number of registered women players increased by 86% since 2021 to exceed 1.1k. The SAFF Women’s Premier League features 200 players, including 15 international signings, with 90 matches scheduled for the 2024/25 season
Local multi-group sports clubs totaled 126 in 2024, compared to nine in 2019. Meanwhile, the number of sports federations has tripled since 2015, reaching 98 in 2024. The kingdom now has 177 tennis clubs, up 146% since 2019, and more than 13.5k participants in the Tennis for All program. Padel courts grew to 950 in 2023, with over 100k grassroots players. Padel also has the highest women’s participation rate among sports, with some clubs reporting up to 50% women participation.
On the virtual side: The e-sports sector is projected to contribute USD 13.3 bn to GDP and create 39k jobs by 2030. The sector saw USD 38 bn poured in by the PIF’s Savvy Games Group with acquisitions including the USD 4.9 bn purchase of game developer Scopely and a USD 1.5 bn buyout of ESL Faceit Group.
