Riyadh Season 2024 has achieved a new milestone, with the number of visitors increasing to 13 million, said Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh.
This milestone serves as a clear testament to the significant success and remarkable public turnout enjoyed by this global event. It also reflects the distinctive diversity of the season’s events which kicked off last October
New areas and events launched
Riyadh Season 2024 recently saw the opening of several popular areas, including The Groves and Souq Al-Awaleen. The Courchevel area was also recently inaugurated within Boulevard World, offering visitors an exceptional snowy experience.
Moreover, the historic rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, titled Usyk vs Fury Reignited in Riyadh, attracted a massive crowd from both Saudi Arabia and the world.
Additionally, the opening of the new BLVD Runway area added another dimension to the success. Created in collaboration with the Saudia Group, the area offers visitors an innovative journey blending aviation and entertainment.
Season features five main areas
Riyadh Season 2024 started off strong, drawing an impressive two million visitors within just one week of its launch. The season features five main areas: Boulevard World, Kingdom Arena, Boulevard City, The Venue and Al-Suwaidi Park.
Boulevard World has undergone a significant 30 percent expansion to accommodate the surge in visitors, introducing new events and attractions. The area now boasts five new sections representing Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran, Africa and Courchevel. This brings the total to 22 diverse countries from around the world. The area also includes 300 restaurants and cafés and more than 890 shops.
In a landmark event, Kingdom Arena hosted a historic boxing match in which Artur Beterbiev championed the light heavyweight division after defeating Dmitry Bivol by majority decision. This intense match showcased fierce competition in the boxing world and marked a milestone in the sport.
Moreover, Riyadh Season 2024’s Boulevard City is captivating visitors with innovative entertainment experiences, including the PUBG Mobile game and the Conan experience. The area also features a variety of dining options and a picturesque atmosphere surrounding its dancing fountain.
In addition, Riyadh Season 2024’s ‘The Venue’ area launched the season with the prestigious Six Kings Slam Championship, the world’s most expensive tennis tournament. This event attracted six of the top tennis stars, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune.
Meanwhile, Al-Suwaidi Park hosted a vibrant array of Indian cultural events. These festivities feature popular shows, traditional cuisine and artistic concerts. The events are drawing large crowds from the Indian community, residents and culture enthusiasts.
Read: DCT Abu Dhabi sets new global standard in culture, tourism management
Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector grows
With its impressive lineup of events and attractions, Riyadh Season 2024 will solidify its status as a global entertainment destination, seamlessly blending diverse entertainment elements in the heart of the Kingdom.
According to a recent report from the Ministry of Investment, the sector is expected to create 450,000 jobs by 2030 and contribute 4.2 percent of the gross domestic product. The entertainment sector has reported several record highs in the last five years including attracting over SAR1 billion in total revenues and over 75 million event attendees.
In line with Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to diversify its economy and enhance the quality of life by promoting tourism and Saudi culture internationally to attract visitors. The entertainment sector is a crucial pillar in achieving these ambitious goals, focusing on enhancing the quality of life through a variety of cultural and entertainment activities.
