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Turki Alalshikh Announces Details of Riyadh Season 2025

Alalshikh revealed that the estimated brand value of Riyadh Season has reached $3.2 billion. (SPA)
Alalshikh revealed that the estimated brand value of Riyadh Season has reached $3.2 billion. (SPA)
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Turki Alalshikh Announces Details of Riyadh Season 2025

Alalshikh revealed that the estimated brand value of Riyadh Season has reached $3.2 billion. (SPA)
Alalshikh revealed that the estimated brand value of Riyadh Season has reached $3.2 billion. (SPA)

Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Alalshikh announced the details of Riyadh Season 2025 on Sunday. The new edition will kick off on Friday with a massive parade showcasing the season's new elements.

This year's season represents a major leap forward in the entertainment industry in the Kingdom, continuing the success of previous editions that have established Riyadh as a global entertainment destination.

He extended his highest gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their great support to the entertainment sector, enabling it to become a key economic driver and a pillar of quality of life within Saudi Vision 2030.

The latest edition of Riyadh Season marked a new stage of growth in the entertainment sector, attracting more than 20 million visitors from over 135 countries, recording over 3,300 international media visits, and achieving more than 110 billion media impressions across global platforms.

Alalshikh revealed that the estimated brand value of Riyadh Season has reached $3.2 billion (SAR12 billion), highlighting the remarkable global growth of its reputation and affirming its position as one of the leading entertainment brands in the Middle East and the world.

This year's edition features 11 major entertainment zones across Riyadh, hosting 15 global championships and 34 exhibitions and festivals, with participation from more than 2,100 companies—95% of which are local—through 4,200 contracts signed with the private sector. This reflects the empowerment of national talent, the strengthening of the private sector's role, and its contribution to the local economy.

Riyadh Season 2025 reinforces the Kingdom's leadership in the entertainment industry by hosting major global events, making Riyadh the entertainment capital of the region, Alalshikh stressed.

This year's edition is set to capture worldwide attention through its large-scale activities and conferences, including the Joy Forum, which will be held on October 16-17 at Boulevard City. The forum will feature some of the most prominent global entertainment figures, including American content creator MrBeast, UFC President Dana White, sports legend Jon Jones, basketball icon Shaquille O'Neal, TV host and investor Daymond John, and Indian actor and director Aamir Khan, among other global entertainment leaders.

The new season introduces unprecedented international partnerships, most notably the collaboration with MrBeast to launch "Beast Land," a 200,000-square-meter zone featuring over 27 rides and experiences, 40 restaurants and stores, and interactive games and prizes, marking a world-first experience in entertainment design.

As part of its global reach, Alalshikh announced that Riyadh Season will host the Royal Rumble, a major WWE event being held for the first time outside North America.

He also revealed that Boulevard World will feature enhanced content this year, including 1,600 shops, 350 restaurants and cafés, 40 rides and experiences, and 24 subzones, three of which are new: Kuwait, South Korea, and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Boulevard City will offer a rich array of entertainment, including eight sports tournaments such as Power Slap 17, The Ring V, Riyadh Season P1 Padel Championship, Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, Saudi Masters Darts, and Kings Cup MENA. It will also host 19 entertainment experiences, including six new ones such as Minecraft and Poppy Playtime, along with 20 Arabic concerts and 14 new theatrical productions.

He added: "The Flying Over Saudi Arabia experience, which promotes tourism across various regions of the Kingdom, will also debut this season. This project, developed over three years, allows up to 90 people simultaneously to experience an interactive aerial journey across Saudi destinations."

He further noted that Sneaker Con will return to Boulevard City for its second year, following its great success, while Auto Show Riyadh will be held at Kingdom Arena, featuring 50 cars as prizes for attendees.

At Via Riyadh, the successful Ana Arabia exhibition will continue, showcasing a wide range of premium products across multiple pavilions representing several Arab countries.

He also noted that The Groves remains one of the most upscale destinations of the season, bringing together seven fine-dining restaurants and 16 high-end stores, offering visitors an exceptional luxury shopping and dining experience.

He confirmed that Riyadh Season 2025 places particular emphasis on theater, featuring a diverse selection of plays from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Syria. This reflects the diversity of Gulf and Arab culture, aiming to empower creators to present their work in a high-quality, competitive environment.

This year's concerts will be exceptional in scale and artistic depth, with major performances by leading Saudi and Gulf artists accompanied by Saudi musicians, showcasing the Kingdom's vibrant and evolving artistic scene.

On the artistic front, Riyadh Season will continue to host the prestigious Joy Awards 2026, one of the most significant entertainment awards in the region, celebrating excellence in drama, music, and the arts.

Among the season's major returning events are world-renowned tournaments such as the Six Kings Slam tennis championship, the Ring IV boxing event, and the WBC Grand Prix, whose qualifiers were held in Riyadh with participants from more than 40 countries. The season will also feature Snooker 167, the Kings Cup MENA, and the Saudi Masters Darts, along with the Fantastic Flag Football Classic, featuring NFL legend Tom Brady and global stars, scheduled for March 21, 2026, at the Kingdom Arena.

Alalshikh further announced the launch of new zones, including Boulevard Flowers, spanning 215,000 square meters and featuring over 200 million flowers, 200 floral sculptures, and three Boeing 777 aircraft, alongside 40 restaurants and cafés, forming a breathtaking artistic landscape that merges natural beauty with creativity. He also revealed that Anb Arena will host the Jewelry Salon Exhibition, an international showcase of luxury jewelry.

For the first time in its history, Riyadh Season will feature a floating entertainment zone named "Auria Cruise," offering a unique experience on the Red Sea. The cruise features 14 destinations, 29 restaurants and cafés, 10 spa and fitness facilities, and 20 entertainment areas, offering a fully integrated luxury leisure experience.

The season also aims to reach all segments of society through enhanced family-oriented content. Riyadh Zoo has been redeveloped to house over 1,600 animals from 170 species across six themed zones, providing educational and interactive experiences for families and children. Meanwhile, Al-Suwaidi Park will continue to showcase 13 diverse cultures, hosting countries such as Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India through 49 concerts, 84 theater performances, and 100 cultural carnivals.

Alalshikh explained that the sixth edition of Riyadh Season continues to support the national economy by creating extensive job opportunities, exceeding 25,000 direct jobs and 100,000 indirect jobs across various fields, including operations, production, and services.

This reflects the season's commitment to empowering national talents, strengthening local supply chains, supporting Saudi companies, and fostering collaboration with government entities, all of which contribute to sectoral growth and sustainability, and elevating the quality of experiences offered to visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom.

In terms of social responsibility, Alalshikh said Riyadh Season pays special attention to community initiatives. The "Laylat Al-Omr" (Night of a Lifetime) initiative, held in collaboration with community service sponsors last year, achieved a significant humanitarian impact. He added that this year, the initiative will be reviewed and further developed for a future launch, with its details and timing to be announced later, in coordination with sponsors to ensure its enhanced success.

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Entertainment

Celine Dion is Back in Paris, but Her First Song Remains 'a Big Secret'

Grammy-winning star Celine Dion - File photo/Reuters
Grammy-winning star Celine Dion - File photo/Reuters
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Celine Dion is Back in Paris, but Her First Song Remains 'a Big Secret'

Grammy-winning star Celine Dion - File photo/Reuters
Grammy-winning star Celine Dion - File photo/Reuters

Celine Dion blew kisses and made a love-heart shape with her hands as she swept into Paris on Friday for her first series of concerts since revealing her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome.

Fans yelling “We're so happy to see you” and “We love you” crowded with journalists outside a Paris hotel as the Grammy-winning star settled in to prepare her residency of 16 shows in September and October at the Plenitude Arena in the French capital's western suburbs. The first show opens on Sept. 12.

“I am ready and I’m a bit uptight of course because it’s been a long time,” she told French broadcaster BFMTV, wearing a beige trench coat, high heels and dark shades, The AP news reported.

“I have always felt supported from the first day and because it’s a story that continues. It’s true that this is my second home,” the Quebec-born singer said.

Asked which song she'd sing first, Dion replied: “I can't say, it's a big secret!”

The Paris concerts, to be followed by 10 more next May, mark a major milestone for 58-year-old Dion after years away from touring due to the rare neurological disorder she disclosed in 2022.

With nearly 260 million albums sold worldwide, Dion remains one of the bestselling and most decorated artists in pop music history, known for hits including “My Heart Will Go On” and “Because You Loved Me.”

The concert series, titled “Celine Dion Paris 2026-2027,” will feature her catalog of hits in English and French.

Dion has largely stepped back from performing since canceling her Courage World Tour as her condition progressed. She wowed with a brief but widely watched return at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in 2024, singing “Hymne à l’amour” (Hymn to love) atop the Eiffel Tower in the rain.

The Plenitude Arena has a capacity of 40,000 spectators and was one of the venues used for the Paris Games.

Entertainment

Detective in Tupac Case Says He Could Not Verify That Defendant Participated in Rapper’s Shooting

Former Las Vegas Metro Police detective Dan Long testifies in court during the Duane Davis trial, related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, in Clark County District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP, Pool)
Former Las Vegas Metro Police detective Dan Long testifies in court during the Duane Davis trial, related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, in Clark County District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP, Pool)
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Detective in Tupac Case Says He Could Not Verify That Defendant Participated in Rapper’s Shooting

Former Las Vegas Metro Police detective Dan Long testifies in court during the Duane Davis trial, related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, in Clark County District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP, Pool)
Former Las Vegas Metro Police detective Dan Long testifies in court during the Duane Davis trial, related to the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, in Clark County District Court at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP, Pool)

A former Las Vegas police detective told jurors on Thursday he could not corroborate the story of an ex-gang leader who said he was involved in the drive-by killing of Tupac Shakur but now denies being responsible for the shooting.

Duane "Keffe D" Davis, 63, is charged in Nevada's Clark County with a single count of murder using a deadly weapon. He has pleaded not guilty. Davis is accused of leading a group of men to kill Shakur, 25, who was one of rap's most commercially successful and influential artists, in ‌a drive-by shooting ‌near the Las Vegas Strip.

The case rests almost entirely on ‌Davis' ⁠public and private statements ⁠that he was in the car with Shakur's killer and passed him the gun. Davis' lawyer, Michael Sanft, told jurors during opening statements these statements were mere bravado and could not be backed up with evidence.

On Thursday, Sanft called to the stand a former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department homicide detective who interviewed Davis in 2009. Dan Long said he believed what Davis said but conceded he could not verify his statements.

"I ⁠wasn't able to verify any of that," Long said.

Sanft rested ‌his case on Thursday and Davis did ‌not testify. Closing arguments are set for Monday.

The defense’s strategy rests on impugning Davis’ credibility while ‌convincing jurors that his stories were mere bravado. It is a risky strategy, ‌but Davis’ self-incrimination leaves him little choice.

Over the past two weeks, prosecutors from the Clark County District Attorney’s Office played hours of recordings for jurors, including public interviews and secret meetings with investigators, where Davis said he was enraged after Shakur and his entourage beat up Davis’ nephew ‌at a Las Vegas casino on September 7, 1996.

Davis and three other men including his nephew went looking for Shakur and ⁠his record producer ⁠Marion “Suge” Knight in a white Cadillac on the night of the beating, he said. Davis said he passed a gun to the backseat, and when they found Knight and Shakur’s car, one of the two men in the back opened fire.

Prosecutors have not named the shooter, and the three other men in the car have since died. Under Nevada law, Davis can be charged with murder even though he did not pull the trigger.

Davis was a leader of the Southside Compton Crips, a Los Angeles-area street gang that feuded with rival gang Mob Piru, which was associated with Shakur and his record label Death Row Records.

Shakur's killing in 1996 became a seminal moment in rap history and heightened hip-hop culture's violent image during “gangsta” rap’s heyday, an era defined by feuding between East and West Coast artists.

Entertainment

‘End of an Era’: Players Lament Decline of the Disc at Gamescom

Trade fair visitors are seen at the Gamescom gaming convention in Cologne, Germany, 27 August 2026. (EPA)
Trade fair visitors are seen at the Gamescom gaming convention in Cologne, Germany, 27 August 2026. (EPA)
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‘End of an Era’: Players Lament Decline of the Disc at Gamescom

Trade fair visitors are seen at the Gamescom gaming convention in Cologne, Germany, 27 August 2026. (EPA)
Trade fair visitors are seen at the Gamescom gaming convention in Cologne, Germany, 27 August 2026. (EPA)

Some video game fans are flabbergasted at Sony's decision to discontinue disc sales from 2028 at Germany's Gamescom trade show -- leading to calls for a boycott.

"It's a bad decision," British developer Chris Bastin, 34, told AFP. "It's the end of an era. I wish it wasn't."

While Sony's announcement in early July to stop releasing games on discs came as a bombshell for gamers, the economics of the industry meant the decision was long in the making, Joost van Dreunen, a professor at New York University's Stern School of Business, told AFP.

"Digital distribution has been a replacement very much of physical carriers for the last 10 years," he said, with online stores replacing the discs once associated with the Xbox and PlayStation or the cartridges for some of Nintendo's consoles.

"Retail usually historically costs 20 to 30 percent of total margin on the sale of a single disc," Dreunen said, as stores take a cut of any sale. "By distributing it digitally through their own network and their own servers, they save a huge amount of margin."

Digital downloads accounted for nearly 82 percent of game sales on the PS4 and PS5 at the start of 2026, Sony said in late July.

The Japanese giant helped popularize console discs in the 1990s after launching its first PlayStation.

- 'Sentimental value' -

The shift has caused uproar among some who fear that losing access to a physical copy makes gamers dependent on the goodwill of service providers, who may or may not maintain players' digital accounts into the future.

"They don't go digital to pass on savings to the consumer," Clemens Istel, a spokesman calling for the boycott, told AFP.

"They go digital to make more profit. And there is zero indication that the customer will benefit from this."

In its 2025 report, French industry gaming group SELL found that while physical sales had fallen to 11 percent of the country's market, big titles like "EA Sports FC 26" and "Assassin's Creed Shadows" nevertheless sold hundreds of thousands of physical copies.

Thomas Bachellerie, who used to manage a games shop in Lyon, warned that second-hand sales sometimes made up almost a third of stores' turnover -- a problem since digital games "cannot be resold or lent".

For some, simple nostalgia plays a role.

"I have the 'Oblivion Collector's Edition' that I bought when I was a teenager, early teenager," Australian civil servant Scott Whiting told AFP at the fair, referring to the critically acclaimed fourth instalment in the best-selling "The Elder Scrolls" role-playing franchise.

"I still, I've moved 10 times since I bought it and I still carry that case around," he said.

"It still means something to me," he added. "There's emotional value in it, sentimental value, and I still look at games that I bought 20 years ago."

- Monopoly? -

Due for release on November 19, the highly anticipated "Grand Theft Auto VI" has also drawn criticism because its physical game box contains only a download code.

"That's a very bad sign," Bachellerie said. "GTA is a game that is supposed to keep us going for 10 years. For a shop, there is almost no point in selling it anymore."

But whatever some gamers might think, Geoffray Brunaux, a lawyer specializing in digital law, told AFP that holders of a physical game did not own it any more than those with a digital copy.

"Whether it is physical or digital, you never actually own the game," he said.

Gamers buy licenses to play the game -- licenses that can be withdrawn.

Consumer movements have sought to stop publishers pulling the plug on games they decide are no longer worth keeping online.

In January, the European Commission took receipt of the "Stop Destroying Videogames" petition, signed by almost 1.3 million people, after high-profile instances of games being switched off.

But anti-trust law can come in handy for gamers, Brunaux said.

The Dutch Stichting Massaschade & Consument consumer group is suing Sony for forcing PlayStation owners to buy from the PlayStation Store, alleging monopolistic practices that drive up the price of digital goods.