Skip to content

SURJ Sports Investment publishes distinctive overview report of Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing sports sector 

  • Deep-dive examination shows impact of local & global sports investment at ground level.
  • A remarkable 50% of Saudis now engage in weekly physical activity.
  • SURJ Sports Investment at the forefront of driving the growth of sport in Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 18 December 2024: SURJ Sports Investment, Saudi Arabia’s leading sports investment powerhouse, has launched today a game-changing new report on Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing sports sector, providing an unprecedented overview of the nation’s transformative growth under Vision 2030. 

Titled “Beyond the Game: The Rise of Saudi Sports,” the report highlights Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global sports leader, illustrating the impact that growing investment into sport both domestically and internationally has had on-ground. It provides a comprehensive view of the nation’s rapidly growing sports landscape, showcasing the sector’s evolution, major achievements, investments, opportunities, and SURJ’s pivotal contributions – including a more active nation than ever before. 

Building an innovative, and inclusive sporting future 

“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,” said Danny Townsend, CEO of SURJ Sports Investment.  

“That investment under the ambition of Vision 2030, fueled by the raw Saudi passion for sport, is what has transformed the country’s standing in sport, and earned it the right to host the biggest event in world sport. As participation numbers among men, women and children continue to rise across all sports— and as on-ground investment and resultant success stories continue to come, we expect the trajectory and impact of sport in Saudi Arabia to maintain its already steep rise. The next ten years promise to be incredibly exciting from a growth perspective,” he added. 

Saudi Arabia is rapidly diversifying its sports portfolio to include established sports like football and golf, alongside emerging areas such as esports, MMA, and adventure sports. SURJ plays a dual role in this transformation—not only through investments that align with Vision 2030’s ambition to position the country as a global sports hub, but also through thought leadership that propels the sector’s growth. This report reflects that commitment, showcasing the strides made in building a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive sporting future—fueled by investment, passion, and vision. 

A young nation more active in sport than ever – with investment driving that forward 

The report reveals remarkable progress in Saudi Arabia’s sports sector, showcasing how investment and participation have reached unprecedented levels. Nearly 50% of Saudis now engage in weekly physical activity, a significant leap from just 13% in 2015. The number of multi-sport clubs has surged to 126 in 2024, up from only 9 in 2019, while sports federations have grown by 200% to reach 98. 

Women’s sports have seen extraordinary momentum, with 149% growth in female participation since 2015 and over 330,000 registered female athletes, supported by coaches, referees, and mentors. Looking ahead, the market value of the sports industry is projected to grow from $8 billion to $22.4 billion by 2030. Sports investments are expected to contribute $16.5 billion annually to GDP by 2030, creating over 100,000 jobs and further solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a global sports hub. 

A comprehensive overview of Saudi sports growth 

The report also spotlights transformative sporting investments within Saudi Arabia, such as the PFL MENA League, which creates pathways for regional talent to compete on the global stage. 

Saudi’s own rising star of PFL MENA Hattan Alsaif features in the report, highlighting the pivotal role of investment into sport in giving the region’s most talented up-and-coming athletes routes to the top that did not exist before. 

She said: “I’m really proud and happy to have SURJ helping us, giving us opportunities to showcase our sport and our love for it. 2024 has been a year full of surprises – it changed my life. 2025 is going to be a huge year for the sport – Saudi Arabia will become the capital of MMA.” 

Full report insights can be accessed through this link.