Saudis want private venue operators

Article posted by Coliseum, March 19^th, 2026

Image: Ministry of Sport

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport is on the hunt for qualified private sector companies to operate and manage several key sports facilities as part of its Sports Facilities Investment Initiative.

This initiative, aligned with Vision 2030, seeks to enhance venue efficiency, improve user experience, and increase commercial investment, often through three-year or five-year renewable contracts.

The Ministry is looking for partners to manage, operate, and maintain major venues, including:

Alinma Stadium at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.
King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Mecca.
Indoor Sports Hall at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

The contracts cover facility management, maintenance, naming rights, and leasing for non-match days.

The Ministry is also preparing for the 2027 Asian Cup and 2034 FIFA World Cup, with recent calls for prequalification to build and upgrade 68 training sites.

By November 18, 2026, private-sector sports centers and gyms with four or more employees must ensure 15% of staff in 12 key roles (coaches, trainers, supervisors) are Saudi nationals.

The Ministry of Sports is offering an investment opportunity for the management and operation of several sports facilities for a period of three years.

This initiative aims to enhance private sector participation in the operation of sports facilities and improve their operational efficiency.

Francesca Petriccione, an international sports lawyer and professor at the University of Milan, said the initiative reflects a broader strategy to transform stadiums into long-term economic assets rather than facilities used only for sporting competitions.

Petriccione told Arab News, “These stadiums are being developed as long-term economic assets rather than simply event venues.

“The infrastructure strategy is not only about match-day capacity but also about commercial activation outside football.”

The ministry said the investment initiative aims to create a scalable operating model that could later be applied to additional sports facilities across the Kingdom, while increasing financial efficiency, enhancing commercial rights activation and generating new revenue streams for the sports sector.

Saudi Arabia’s sports industry is currently valued at $8 billion and is projected to grow to $22.4 billion by 2030 fueled by investments in sports clubs, academies, facilities, and equipment.

The Government has already identified 20 high-priority investment opportunities within the sector with a combined potential value of up to $20 billion.

Interested companies must submit proposals through the “Furas” portal (https://furas.momah.gov.sa/ar).

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