In a move that reflects the success of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives, the sports sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continued its accelerated journey towards globalization during the first half of 2025. These achievements were not just field victories, but rather the culmination of huge institutional work and unlimited support from the wise leadership - may God protect it - with the aim of transforming sports into an industry that supports the national economy and a soft power that enhances the Kingdom’s international standing.
April: Jeddah, the capital of speed and the future of sports investment
The Kingdom kicked off the second quarter of the year with a captivating global event, drawing the attention of motorsport enthusiasts to Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit its status as one of the fastest and most challenging street circuits in the world for Formula 1 racing, and the 2025 edition saw a new champion crowned: Australian driver Oscar Piastri of the McLaren team. This race underscored the ability of Saudi personnel to organize major international events with exceptional efficiency.
Alongside the excitement on the track, April witnessed significant economic activity represented by the Sports Investment Forum (SIF) . This event, sponsored by the Ministries of Sports and Investment, was not merely a gathering, but a strategic platform to enhance the contribution of the sports sector to non-oil GDP, opening new horizons for international partnerships.
In terms of building the future, the Saudi youth national team (under 17 years old) achieved a qualitative accomplishment by qualifying for the 2025 World Cup finals, reflecting the success of age group programs and talent discovery, coinciding with the launch of the "Dictionary of Sports Terms" to enhance Arabic sports content.
May: Gold adorns the coffers of Saudi clubs with the support of the leadership
May witnessed the peak of local and continental competitions, culminating in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' patronage of the "most prestigious cup" final. Al- Ittihad , claiming the coveted title after defeating Al-Qadisiyah. This victory adds to Al-Ittihad's trophy cabinet, alongside their 2024-2025 Roshan Professional League , reaffirming their strong return to the podium.
On the continental level, Saudi football regained its Asian dominance, with Al-Ahli winning the 2025 AFC Champions League . This achievement was crowned by a historic reception from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the "inspirational leader," who also received Paralympic champion Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi, gold medalist in Paris, in a clear message affirming the comprehensive support for all athletes.
In the context of strengthening the infrastructure, the Ministry of Sports has presented huge investment opportunities for the private sector to operate and maintain major sports cities in Jeddah and Makkah, paving the way for a more professional and sustainable sports environment.
June: A quantum leap in players' rights and school sports
The first half of the year concluded with landmark decisions affecting the core of professional sports, as the Ministry of Sports, in cooperation with the General Organization for Social Insurance, announced the implementation of a social security system for Saudi players and coaches. This step represents a qualitative leap forward, guaranteeing job and social security for athletes and treating sports as a genuine profession with its own rights and responsibilities.
The Ministry also emphasized the fundamental principle of sports, with His Highness the Minister of Sport crowning the champions of the Schools League, underscoring the integration between the Ministries of Sports and Education in developing future champions. This coincided with the accelerated pace of work on infrastructure projects, including the new Aramco stadium and the signing of hotel contracts at King Abdullah Sports City, in preparation for the Kingdom's upcoming events.
