London has hosted the UK-Saudi Sports Investment & Innovation Forum, bringing together officials from both countries’ sports and investment ministries, along with 100 top industry leaders.
Organized by the Saudi Chambers of Commerce in collaboration with the Saudi British Business Council, the event coincided with the Saudi-British Sustainable Infrastructure Summit.
It showcased Saudi Arabia’s dynamic sports sector advancements driven by Vision 2030 initiatives, establishing it as a global destination for athletes, tournaments, and investments.
Turki Al-Fawzan, CEO of the Saudi Arabian Esports Federation, highlighted that 67% of Saudis have a keen interest in gaming and esports.
Basem Ibrahim, Director of Sports Sector Investment Development at the Ministry of Investment, projected the Kingdom’s sports market to grow from SAR30 billion to SAR84 billion by 2030.
Mohammed Al-Nemer, Deputy Chair of the Saudi British Joint Business Council, noted a 12% annual growth in Saudi Arabia’s sports and entertainment sector between 2018 and 2023, reflecting rising demand for recreational activities.
Participants at the forum explored investment opportunities, technological advancements in sports and esports, sports infrastructure development, and potential partnerships between Saudi Arabia and the UK.
Topics included hosting major sports events, international acquisitions, and enhancing quality of life through sports initiatives.
