Project Overview

Qiddiya City, also known as the Qiddiya Project, is located in southwest Riyadh and is being developed by the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC). Being the cornerstone of the Saudi Vision 2030, it personifies joy, creativity, and connection. 

The total cost for the construction of the Qiddiya project is USD 40 billion. The project will render international sports arenas, concerts, entertainment venues, racetracks, and outdoor and adventure activities. It will also offer friendly theme parks, including a Six Flags theme park and a water theme park. These parks are specially designed to give unrivaled rides and experiences. 

Qiddiya City aims to house over 500,000 people. It will also support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in economic growth, create jobs, raise the quality of life, and make Saudi Arabia a top tourism destination.

Project Background

The Qiddiya Project was announced on 7 April 2017, and the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 28 April 2018. The construction for the project began in 2019, and its first phase was expected to open in 2023. But, due to the delays in the project, themes like Six Flags Qiddiya City, the Aquarabia waterpark, and the Formula One racetrack remain under construction and incomplete. So, the first phase is to open in 2027.

The project is being developed by Qiddiya Investment Company and will create multiple jobs during the project. By the end of 2030, Qiddiya City expects to bring 48 million visitors annually. The project's primary purpose was to reduce economic reliance on oil, improve quality of life, and make Saudi Arabia a top tourist destination. 

Project Scope

The Qiddiya Project will build the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) into a growing economy and an enterprising nation. The Qiddiya Project aims to improve the quality of life of both visitors and residents by offering a World-class tourism destination in Saudi Arabia. By the end of the project, the people of Saudi Arabia will have the best destination spot to spend their spare time and holidays. A detailed description of the project scope is given below.

• GDP growth: The Qiddiya Project, on its completion, will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by SAR 135 billion (USD 36 billion) annually. 

• Employment generation: The project is expected to create 325,000 jobs during the project in different sectors. 

• Annual visitors: The Qiddiya Project will attract 48 million visitors annually. Out of the 48 million, 1.8 million visitors will be football fans.

• International Airport: Riyadh will build a new mega airport called King Salman International. It will be the World’s biggest airport, surrounding an area of around 57 square km. It features six parallel runways. 

• Transportation facilities: The development plans include constructing road facilities, pedestrian overcrossing, sewage treatment plants, and solid waste facilities.

• Outdoor adventures: The project will provide experiences of outdoor adventures, including hiking, mountain biking, ziplining, and eco lodges. 

• Golf courses: Qiddiya City will have Jack Nicklaus golf courses, residential villas, and equestrian facilities.

Qiddiya Project Location

Qiddiya City is located 45 kilometers southwest of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is situated in the Tuwaiq mountain. It is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Spanning over 300 square kilometers, the city is promoted as a future hub of tourism, sports, and leisure.

Qiddiya will be divided into several zones based on its natural topography, including the Resorts Core, Motion Zone, City Centre, Eco Zone, Golf Community, Aerodrome and Airfield Future Development, and Green Buffer development zones.

Qiddiya Project Cost

The total cost of developing the Qiddiya project is expected to be USD 40 billion. The Saudi government is the primary funding source for the project. The project will be completed in three phases. The first phase of the project costs USD 9.8 billion. 

Qiddiya Project Assets

The Qiddiya project will offer a variety of tourist attractions and entertainment facilities that make the city the World’s first city built for play. Let's explore the assets or the attractions the project offers. 

These are divided into three segments: (A) Entertainment, (B) Sports, and (C) Culture.

Six Flags Qiddiya City 

The Six Flags Qiddiya City is an amusement and entertainment hub in Qiddiya City. It is the largest theme park in the Middle East, spanning over 79 acres. The park will offer 28 rides and attractions, 27 international dining experiences, and 25 shopping vents. From the Palpitation roller coaster to family rides, each ride will provide unforgettable and never-seen-before experiences.

It is home to five record-breaking rides. It includes: (A) Siroco Tower, the World’s tallest free-standing shot tower ride. (B) Gyrospin is the tallest pendulum ride. (C) Spitfire is the tallest triple-launch coaster. (D) Iron Rattler is the tallest titled coaster. (E) The Falcons Flight - the World’s tallest, fastest, and longest rollercoaster.

Aquarabia Water Theme Park

The Aquarabia water park is designed to be a World-class water park destination. It will offer a thrilling experience with 22 rides, sweeping slides, a lazy river, shimmering pools, and exciting aquatic sports. It will also provide 22 dining venues and 7 retail stores. 

Over 80% of the operational waste will be recycled, along with 100% of the water used for irrigation and cooling being recycled water. The park features five World attractions: the Aquaticar, Junoon Drop, Slithereel, Speedy Jamezales, and Jamal Joom.

Dragon Ball Theme Park

At the park, guests are catapulted into the heart of anime action, where they can experience the rich history of Dragon Ball from the first series up to Dragon Ball Super. The park features seven themed lands based on the iconic Dragon Ball, over 30 attractions, including five state-of-the-art rides, and a 70-meter-tall Shenron Statue with a roller coaster inside. It also comprises hotels and restaurants.

Speed Park Track

The Speed Park Track in Qiddiya City is designed to become a World-class motorsport venue capable of hosting Formula 1 and MotoGP races. It features open and street circuit configurations with 21 corners, 80 garages, and a top speed exceeding 325km/hr. It will have remarkable advancement changes, comprising the World’s first cantilevered track section called “The Blade”. 

There will also be open track days and racing events at the track for racing enthusiasts. The track is designed to merge attractions like a music venue, Falcon’s Flight, and a water theme park. The track attributes a large grandstand and observation terraces for panoramic views of the action and surroundings.

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium

It is the stadium where live sports, entertainment, and cutting-edge broadcasting meet. Located atop the 200-meter-high Tuwaiq Mountains cliff, the stadium offers a retractable roof, pitch, and LED wall, allowing it to host different events, including sports, concerts, and esports. It will be a prime venue for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and the home ground for Saudi Pro League clubs AI-Hilal and AI-Nassr. 

Overall, the stadium is set to host over 60 football matches yearly. It utilizes cutting-edge technologies to provide fans real-time data, live reporting, and beautiful experiences. Designed to be eco-friendly, it includes an underground cooling lake powered by rainwater capture.

Mercedes-AMG World of Performance

Mercedes-AMG World of Performance is a state-of-the-art experience center designed to engage visitors in the World of Mercedes-AMG. It consists of 9 floors and covers an area of 45,000 square meters. The hub is home to more than 20 attractions and shows suitable for all age groups. 

The center spotlights over 60 state-of-the-art simulators and a Motion 4D Simulator Theatre. Also, young fans can enjoy opportunities for interactive learning, including creating their dream race car and practicing teamwork in the pit garage.

Performing Arts Centre

The Performing Arts Centre is evidence of the city’s commitment to advancing creativity and innovation. The center expects to host more than 200 events each year, both indoor and outdoor. Two thousand seats are available in three venues, each offering a 360° experience combining physical and digital elements. 

The Performing Arts Centre will bring massive and eye-catching shows worldwide, including theatres and music shows. It uses advanced tools that are guaranteed to boost the WOW factor, thus pushing entertainment boundaries and challenging the confines of reality as we know it through immersive technology, including VR, AR, and AI.

Qiddiya Contractors List

Qiddiya Investors

Project Timelines

Benefits

As part of the Saudi Vision 2030, the project aims to improve the quality of life of visitors and provide them with a World-class entertainment experience. Not only this, but the project will boost KSA’s GDP and generate economic activities. The following are the benefits the project will provide. 

• Income generation: The project will increase income generated from the tourism sector. It is possible, as it will provide a World-class entertainment experience. Qiddiya City aims to attract visitors internationally, which will boost tourism income. Along with this, it will also reduce the spending of the Saudi people on foreign trips.

• Entertainment facilities: Qiddiya City will bring World-class entertainment by opening different theme parks, sports arenas, cultural venues, and residential areas. It will promote a thriving community. 

• Cultural appreciation: By including museums, performance spaces, and cultural festivals within Qiddiya, the city aims to preserve and promote Saudi heritage. 

• International concert: The city will host international sports and cultural events, resulting in the Saudis' global presence and promoting international events and collaborations. 

Conclusion

The Qiddiya Project, located in the southwest of Riyadh, is a part of Saudi Vision 2030 and is Saudi Arabia’s emerging capital for entertainment, sports, and culture. It aims to build a World-class tourism destination, generate over 325,000 job opportunities, and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s GDP.

The project will bring entertainment, sports, and cultural attractions. Some famous attractions include the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium, Speed Park Track, Dragon Ball Theme Park, and Six Flags Qiddiya City. In line with Saudi Arabia's broader goals of economic diversification and cultural enrichment, Qiddiya will become a landmark destination.

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