Popular traditional sports
Horse Racing. Horse racing has been popular in Saudi Arabia for centuries, and today the Audi Cup attracts thousands of spectators to the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
Camel racing. These races are also extremely popular and many festivals featuring hundreds of races (Crown Prince Dromedary Festival, King Abdulaziz) are held in the country.
Falconry. The art of falconry is a tradition deeply rooted in the local culture for thousands of years and for the wealthy classes owning a falcon is a real pride.
Major sports events
Formula 1. Like its Qatari neighbor, Saudi Arabia has taken up the challenge of organizing major sporting events. Since 2021, the Jeddah urban motor racing circuit has hosted one of the stages of the Formula 1 World Championship. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix takes place at night on the corniche and saw Max Verstappen win in 2024 ahead of Sergio Perez, thus taking his revenge on 2023. By 2027, the circuit is due to be replaced by a more conventional one in the new town of Qiddiya.
Dakar. Still on the subject of motor sport, the Kingdom has been hosting the legendary Dakar Rally since 2020. In 2025, for its sixth edition in Saudi Arabia, the rally will start from Busha, cross the country, before crossing the finish line in Shubaytah.
Tennis. In tennis, Saudi Arabia has launched the Diriyah Tennis Cup in 2019, a richly endowed tournament. This exhibition tournament now brings together the top 10 stars of the little yellow ball, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Hubert Hurkacz, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Grigor Dimitrov.
Golf. In golf, Saudi Arabia launched the LIV Golf Invitational Series in summer 2022, a breakaway league from the PGA Tour that has attracted such legends of the sport as Joaquin Niemann, Dean Burmester, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Louis Oosthuizen, Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, Abraham Ancer, Sergio Garcia and Paul Casey.
Cycling. Since 2020, the country has also hosted a category 2.1 race on the UCI Asia Tour calendar.
Boxing. Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian boxer, became the new undisputed heavyweight champion in Riyadh in May 2024, thanks to his victory over Tyson Fury, in front of 564 million television viewers, the fight having been broadcast in 137 countries. By adding his opponent's WBC title to his WBA, WBO and IBF trophies, the Ukrainian, who won by split decision, unified the four heavyweight belts in Saudi Arabia. A first in 25 years. Usyk is the first undisputed champion of the category since Lennox Lewis, who reached the Grail in 1999 in Las Vegas. At that time, only three belts existed. Usyk's feat is unprecedented. The all-round champion has granted his challenger a rematch. The next fight between today's top two boxers in all categories will again take place in Riyadh. It is scheduled for December 21, 2024, during the Riyadh season, Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, recently made official.
UFC. In 2024, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) makes its way to the Kingdom, marking a major milestone in the country's sporting history. Indeed, on June 22, 2024, Saudi Arabia hosted its very first UFC event in Riyadh at the Kingdom Arena. The first of many, no doubt. The flagship event featured a clash between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.
Asian Winter Games. Also of note, Saudi Arabia will be staging the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Neom, in the mountainous desert northwest of the country. Located 50 km from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, Trojena, due for completion in 2026, will feature year-round ski slopes at altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 2,600 m.
Soccer. Finally, the Kingdom will host the FIFA Football World Cup in 2034. It has also recently established itself in European soccer. Through a consortium, it has acquired the legendary English club Newcastle United in 2021. He is determined to invest the necessary financial resources to restore the reputation of a club that was languishing at the bottom of the Premier League. As for local soccer, the Saudi national team qualified for the World Cup 6 times between 1998 and 2022. Although they never made it past the group stages, they did make a splash at the 2022 edition in Qatar, beating eventual winners Argentina in their opening match. This historic feat prompted the King to declare the day after the match a public holiday. Then, on December 30, 2022, superstar Cristiano Ronaldo announced his arrival at Saudi club Al-Nassr. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has thus chosen Riyadh to take on the latest challenge of his immense career. Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kanté have joined Al Ittihad in Jeddah.
A paradise for scuba diving
With its openness to the Red Sea (and almost 2,000 km of coastline!), Saudi Arabia offers some great spots for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Particularly in Yanbu, with its wealth of underwater treasures and unspoiled coral reefs. The Seven Sisters coral reef is home to numerous hammerhead sharks and a number of shipwrecks. Around Jeddah, you can try your hand at spotting black marlin or endangered napoleon fish, among the 1,200 species (20% of which are endemic) that inhabit the waters of the Red Sea. At Sharm Obhur, you can take your flippers for a walk in the company of turtles, and enjoy the thrill of diving with sharks in the shelter of a cage. Towards Abu Tair Island, you can descend to explore the famous cable wreck with rays and white-tip sharks, while experienced divers can venture into the Ann, a vertical wreck resting at 32 meters towards Abu Faramish. For a glimpse of the mythical whale shark, head for the crystal-clear waters of Jabal Al-Lith island. Last but not least, there's Farasan Island and its islands, a small coral archipelago some 40 kilometers off the Saudi coast that offers a wealth of opportunities. But the list is by no means exhaustive, and hundreds of spots have yet to be discovered on these shores... and can be accessed via the excellent Divexcape.com website.
Between desert and mountains, a huge playground
Quad - Buggy. Thrill-seekers and motorbike enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy in the Saudi desert. Particularly in the vicinity of the AlUla oasis, where you can tackle the sandstone mountains and slalom between the dunes. It's also possible to make your engine roar in the vicinity of Riyadh, in the Thumamah National Park or around the town of Al-Muzahmiya, in the red sand dunes, for example.
MOUNTAIN BIKING. For less noisy but just as sporty rides, there's a first 14 km trail in AlUla, pending the opening of other trails, as well as a bike park suitable for all levels. There are also good possibilities around Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca and Dammam.
Hiking. Once again, the canyons and mountains of AlUla offer a superb setting for walkers (or horse riders for that matter), whether beginners or experienced. Not to be missed is the Al Madakhil hiking trail, which winds its way through rugged landscapes of varied volcanic rocks and ancient basaltic flows. Near Riyadh, the Camel Trail hikes along a cliff, offering splendid views worthy of Monument Valley in the USA. For horse-riding, Yanbu offers numerous possibilities.
From the air. What better way to discover AlUla, its mountains, archaeological sites and oasis, than by helicopter or hot-air balloon? Breathtaking and unforgettable! If you can't afford it, there's a via ferrata to enjoy the splendid scenery from high up, and a zip line for a 120 km/h peak in the Harrat massif.
