Key Takeaways
- Universal Studios is exploring the possibility of building a multibillion-dollar theme park in Saudi Arabia
- The proposed site for the park is Qiddiya, a massive entertainment, sports, and tourism destination located southwest of Riyadh
- The project is still in its early concept stage, with no approvals granted for construction
- The potential park is part of a broader push to develop large-scale theme parks in the Gulf region
- Saudi Arabia aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030, with the Universal Studios park expected to contribute to this goal
Introduction to Universal Studios’ Plans
Universal Studios, a US entertainment giant, is exploring the possibility of building a multibillion-dollar theme park in Saudi Arabia, signalling a major step in the Kingdom’s entertainment sector. The plans are still in their early concept stage, with no approvals granted for construction. The proposed site for the park is likely to be Qiddiya, the massive entertainment, sports, and tourism destination located southwest of Riyadh. Comcast Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts recently visited Saudi Arabia to attend an investment conference and toured the Qiddiya site, which is widely seen as the potential location for the park. Roberts confirmed that the project is in early planning stages and emphasized that it is not yet finalized.
Early Planning and Conceptual Stage
According to The Wall Street Journal, Universal Studios’ parent company, Comcast, is exploring the possibility of establishing a theme park in Saudi Arabia. The plans are currently at the conceptual stage, with no concrete details available on which Universal franchises, rides, or attractions would be included. The proposed site, Qiddiya, spans 334 square kilometers, making it about two and a half times the size of Disney World in Florida. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) aims for the project to eventually attract 48 million visitors annually and contribute SAR17 billion ($4.5 billion) to the country’s GDP. The early planning stage of the project indicates that Universal Studios is taking a cautious approach, weighing the potential benefits and challenges of investing in a theme park in Saudi Arabia.
Part of a Wider Entertainment Expansion
The potential Universal Studios park comes amid a broader push to develop large-scale theme parks in the Gulf region. Earlier this year, Walt Disney Company announced a partnership with Abu Dhabi developer Miral to build a theme park in the UAE capital. Saudi Arabia itself is advancing several entertainment projects, including Six Flags Qiddiya City, the Kingdom’s first theme park, scheduled to open in Riyadh on 31 December 2025. These initiatives are part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national strategy to diversify its economy away from oil and boost leisure, tourism, and cultural infrastructure. The growth of the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia is expected to create new opportunities for investment, job creation, and economic growth.
Qiddiya: Saudi Arabia’s Mega Entertainment Hub
Qiddiya is a massive entertainment, sports, and tourism destination located southwest of Riyadh, spanning 334 square kilometers. The project is expected to attract 48 million visitors annually and contribute SAR17 billion ($4.5 billion) to the country’s GDP. Tourism in Saudi Arabia has already grown rapidly, with the Kingdom recording over 100 million visitors, including roughly 30 million international tourists, in 2024. Preliminary figures for 2025 indicate continued growth, with around 60.9 million visitors in the first half of the year alone. Qiddiya is expected to become a major tourist destination, offering a range of entertainment options, including theme parks, sports facilities, and cultural attractions.
Economic Growth and Tourism Development
The potential Universal Studios park reflects rising interest from global entertainment brands in Saudi Arabia. It would not only enhance the Kingdom’s leisure offerings but also support the goal of reaching 150 million visitors by 2030. While still in the conceptual phase, the Universal Studios project could become a landmark attraction within Qiddiya, complementing other major developments in the region. If realized, it would highlight Saudi Arabia’s strategy of using cultural and entertainment investments to drive economic growth and position the Kingdom as a global destination for tourism and leisure. The growth of the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s economy, creating new opportunities for investment, job creation, and economic growth.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
In conclusion, the potential Universal Studios park in Saudi Arabia is a significant development in the Kingdom’s entertainment sector. The project is still in its early concept stage, but it has the potential to become a major tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors and contributing to the country’s GDP. The growth of the entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia is expected to continue, with the Universal Studios park being a key part of this growth. As the project moves forward, it will be important to monitor its progress and assess its impact on the country’s economy and tourism development. With its rich cultural heritage and growing entertainment sector, Saudi Arabia is poised to become a major player in the global tourism industry, and the Universal Studios park could be a key factor in this growth.
