Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, is preparing to host the first International Conference and Exhibition on Sports Culture, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and continue until January 29. This pioneering event is organized by the Saudi Federation for Sports Culture, in academic collaboration with Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, which will host the conference.
Strategic context within the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This conference is not taking place in a vacuum; rather, it represents a pivotal step within the comprehensive national transformation underway in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030. As the Kingdom strives to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil, the sports, tourism, and entertainment sector has emerged as a key driver of development. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has solidified its position on the global sports map by hosting major events such as Formula 1 races and world boxing championships, and by attracting international football stars. This has created tremendous momentum, necessitating the development of a sustainable sports culture within society and the economy—a goal the conference aims to solidify.
The importance of the conference and its expected impact
The inaugural conference is being held under the theme “The Culture of Sports Tourism and Recreation,” a title that reflects ambitious goals. The conference aims to highlight the growing role of sports culture as a bridge between major sporting events and tourism development, thereby enhancing the quality of life for citizens and residents. The conference is expected to have a multifaceted impact; locally, it will contribute to stimulating investment in sports and recreation infrastructure and encouraging community participation in physical activities. Regionally and internationally, the conference will work to solidify the Kingdom’s image as a leading center for thought and development in the sports field, not merely as an event organizer.
In a statement, Professor Dr. Sulaiman bin Omar Al-Jaloud, President of the Saudi Federation for Sports Culture and Chairman of the Conference's Higher Committee, affirmed that the patronage of His Royal Highness the Minister of Sports for this event reflects the significant government support for the sector. He added, "The conference represents a national and international platform for solidifying the concept of sports culture as a cornerstone of comprehensive development and human capacity building. It will provide a scientific and practical environment that brings together sports leaders, experts, and decision-makers to develop the sports tourism and entertainment system and enhance the Kingdom's civilized image.".
A rich program and a platform for global communication
The conference features a rich scientific and practical program including panel discussions, specialized workshops, and training courses, in addition to an accompanying exhibition showcasing the latest innovations and opportunities in the sports and tourism sectors. A distinguished group of experts, academics, and specialists from within the Kingdom and abroad are scheduled to participate, making it an ideal platform for exchanging experiences and building strategic partnerships that will contribute to achieving the conference's objectives and supporting the goals of Vision 2030.
