Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of the Middle East’s rise as a global sports hub, driven by massive investments, landmark events, and digital innovation, according to a new report from global consultancy Kearney.
Titled From Passion to Profit: Unlocking Value in Sports, the report forecasts that the global sports industry will surpass $600 billion by 2030. The Middle East is expected to play a defining role in shaping that future, with policy reforms, infrastructure development, and a fast-growing esports ecosystem acting as key enablers.
Under its Vision 2030 transformation plan, Saudi Arabia has earmarked $38 billion to position itself as a global leader in gaming and esports. At the same time, the Kingdom is accelerating investment in stadiums, training centers, and event management infrastructure.
“The region is innovating at scale,” said Mohamed Hashem, Partner and Sports Lead for the Middle East and Africa at Kearney. “Rather than mimicking Western models, it is forging new paths aligned with broader economic and societal ambitions.”
Regional Momentum Building Across the Gulf
The report highlights the contributions of the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, each actively investing in elite athlete development, digital fan engagement, and the hosting of international competitions. From Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup and Bahrain’s Grand Prix to Dubai’s Tennis Championships and Saudi Arabia’s upcoming Olympic Esports Games, the region is rapidly cementing its place on the global sports calendar.
This surge is part of a broader strategy to integrate sports into economic diversification plans, attract tourism, and elevate international visibility.
Infrastructure and Inclusion Driving Growth
Middle Eastern governments are investing heavily in future-ready infrastructure, including next-generation stadiums, performance academies, and connected digital ecosystems. In the UAE, for instance, Dubai will host the inaugural World Sports Summit in December 2025, signaling the region’s growing influence in global sports discourse.
Esports remains a central pillar of this expansion. Saudi Arabia’s record-breaking investment underscores a broader regional pivot toward youth-centric, digital-first sports experiences. Streaming, gamification, and interactive platforms are now central to fan engagement strategies.
The report also underscores progress in gender inclusion. Women’s sports participation has grown by 150% in Saudi Arabia since the launch of Vision 2030. New professional women’s football leagues have been established in the Kingdom, the UAE, and Qatar, with grassroots initiatives further enhancing accessibility and inclusion.
Unlocking Value in the New Sports Economy
Kearney identifies five key growth levers for stakeholders in the evolving sports economy:
Commercial Excellence – including media rights, sponsorships, and merchandise
Fan Engagement & Analytics – leveraging data to personalize experiences
Platform Expansion – building integrated physical and digital ecosystems
Tech-Driven Innovation – from immersive media to AI and blockchain
Operational Efficiency – streamlining costs while improving performance
“Free from legacy systems,” Hashem notes, “the Middle East is uniquely positioned to create sports models tailored to its economic and social priorities.”
In conclusion, Kearney’s report frames the Middle East’s emergence not merely as a regional transformation—but as a catalyst for global change in the structure, monetization, and experience of sport. Backed by strategic vision and substantial resources, the Gulf is set to play an increasingly central role in the global sports economy.
Source: Arabian Business
