New Las Vegas? Saudi Arabia’s Mega Entertainment Project

Saudi Arabia is progressing with its ambitious Qiddiya City project, a major development poised to transform the realms of motorsports, entertainment, and cultural experiences.

Located 45 kilometers (Approximately 28 miles) west of Riyadh, this city represents a pivotal component of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and position the kingdom as a premier global destination.

A new home for Formula 1 and motorsports

Speed Park, a world-class motorsports venue set to host Formula 1 races beginning in 2027, will be the center of Qiddiya’s sports offerings.

Designed by former F1 driver Alex Wurz and circuit architect Hermann Tilke, the track will feature 21 turns and a dramatic elevation gain of over 108 meters per lap.

One of the circuit’s defining elements is The Blade, a towering 70-meter turn (over 229 feet) designed to push the limits of racing. The track’s length could exceed seven kilometers, or over 4 miles, making it the longest circuit in Formula 1.

Speed Park will integrate with surrounding attractions, passing near Six Flags Qiddiya City and Falcon’s Flight, set to be the world’s tallest, longest, and fastest roller coaster, reaching speeds of 250 km/h or over 155 MPH.

An expanding entertainment sector

Qiddiya is expected to become a major entertainment hub with 400 planned attractions across various sectors. Six Flags Qiddiya City, the brand’s first theme park outside North America, will include 28 rides and six themed zones. Aquarabia Water Theme Park, the region’s largest, will feature eight themed areas and over 20 rides.

The latest work on the Six Flags theme park and water park project in the world’s largest entertainment city “Qiddiya” pic.twitter.com/tPr39FtLVZ

— My Beautiful Saudi (@MybeautifulKSA) March 18, 2023

A  theme park based on the iconic Japanese franchise Dragon Ball is also under development. It will feature seven themed zones, more than 30 attractions, and a 70-meter statue of Shenron, the mythical dragon from the series.

Sports, e-sports, and cultural investments

In addition to motorsports, Qiddiya is positioning itself as a global sports and esports hub. The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, a futuristic venue 200 meters above the ground, will feature a retractable roof and LED walls.

Work on Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium on one of the peaks of Tuwaiq Mountain, 200 meters high, as part of the #Qiddiya City project.

Its capacity is more than 40,000 seats and it will be one of the stadiums that will host the 2034 World Cup matches. It is expected… pic.twitter.com/XAq6x3rubF

— Saudi-Expatriates.com (@saudiexpat) January 19, 2025

The stadium, expected to open before the 2034 FIFA World Cup, will accommodate up to 60,000 spectators for major events.

The city will also include a 50-hectare esports district, designed to host four esports arenas and accommodate 73,000 people at any time. The district will feature 25 professional esports teams and be a hub for 30 gaming industry companies.

Economic and urban development

Qiddiya City is projected to house 500,000 residents and create 300,000 jobs. As of May 2024, 32% of the project is completed, with major attractions expected to open by 2025. Saudi Arabia aims to increase annual tourism to 70 million visitors by 2030, up from 23 million in 2023.

The Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is leading the project, with costs estimated between $20 billion and $42 billion.

Sustainability and infrastructure challenges

While Qiddiya emphasizes environmental sustainability, concerns remain over the energy demands of its large-scale attractions. To accommodate residents, the city plans to include 20% green spaces, hospitals, and schools.

The stadium’s cooling system will rely on rainwater collection, but experts question whether this will be sufficient in Saudi Arabia’s arid climate.

Despite these challenges, Qiddiya City remains a centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s long-term strategy to position itself as a sports, tourism, and entertainment leader. The city’s development is closely monitored as construction progresses toward its ambitious goals.