Saudi Sports Investment Forum Secures Over 60 Deals as Kingdom Expands Global Sports Footprint

Saudi Arabia’s Sports Investment Forum concluded with the announcement of more than 60 investment deals spanning football, esports, motorsport, and sports infrastructure, solidifying the Kingdom’s position as one of the fastest-growing sports economies globally. Hosted in Riyadh and led by the Ministry of Sports and the newly established Sports Investment Company (SIC), the forum attracted stakeholders from across the international sports, tech, and finance sectors.

Among the high-profile deals, Saudi Esports Federation signed a $150 million partnership with an international gaming infrastructure provider to expand esports training facilities and host regional tournaments. Meanwhile, a joint venture between Aramco and a European motorsport promoter will fund the construction of a $500 million racing complex, positioning Saudi Arabia as a hub for regional motorsport. In football, a $75 million agreement was reached with an Italian sports media firm to develop and distribute original content focused on the Saudi Pro League.

The Sports Investment Company, launched in early 2025, is designed to streamline and manage the Kingdom’s sports investments. Operating under the Ministry of Sports, SIC focuses on facilitating public-private partnerships, attracting international capital, and overseeing the commercialisation of government-backed sports initiatives. Its structure includes advisory boards from global sport-tech firms and investment banks, ensuring governance aligned with international standards.

Notable international participants at the forum included representatives from DAZN, IMG, Eleven Sports, and Riot Games, signalling deepening global interest in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving sports sector. Deals struck during the event are expected to drive growth in content creation, event delivery, fan engagement technology, and infrastructure development.

Market response to the forum has been largely positive, with analysts viewing the breadth of deals as a sign of transition from vision to implementation. “This is a strong signal that Saudi Arabia is moving into the operational phase of its sports strategy,” said Leila Haddad, a Middle East sports industry analyst. “The level of international interest and capital commitment is notable.”

As Saudi Arabia continues to diversify its economy under Vision 2030, the sports sector is emerging as both a cultural soft power asset and a vehicle for commercial growth. The scale and diversity of deals announced at the Sports Investment Forum reflect a maturing investment environment—and a clear strategic intent to position the Kingdom as a global player in sport, media, and technology.