Riyadh Season: Kingdom’s global entertainment gateway

The Riyadh Season, Saudi Arabia’s flagship cultural and entertainment festival, returns on Oct. 10.

Launched under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, the event, valued at $3.2 billion, is a cornerstone of the kingdom’s drive to diversify its economy through entertainment and tourism.

Last year’s edition drew 20 million visitors from 135 countries. This year is expected to create 25,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs, reinforcing the capital’s rise as a global leisure hub.

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First held in 2019 under the theme Imagine, Riyadh Season was part of the wider Saudi Seasons program promoting cities such as Diriyah and Jeddah.

Its early editions gained attention for fostering cultural unity.

In one notable 2019 concert, Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan performed before 20,000 Pakistani and Indian fans, marking a milestone in regional cultural diplomacy.

Atif Aslam singing at a concert in Riyadhscreengrab/Youtube

Now in its sixth edition, Riyadh Season expands to 11 main zones and hosts 15 global championships.

The opening parade at Boulevard City (Riyadh) will feature 3,000 performers and introduce Macy’s world-famous balloons outside New York for the first time.

New highlights include Beast Land, created with MrBeast, offering 12 challenges and 40 restaurants.

Boulevard World introduces 24 themed areas, welcoming newcomers Kuwait, South Korea, and Indonesia, alongside returning countries like India, China, and Morocco.

The free zone, Suwaidi Park, will feature 13 global cultures, including Pakistan, celebrating traditional food, music, and handicrafts.

Meanwhile, BLVD Flowers, a reimagined park, will display 180 million blooms and three Boeing 777 jets turned into floral sculptures.

For sports fans, the Riyadh Season offers a world-class lineup across several major events.

The season concludes in January 2026 with WWE’s Royal Rumble and SmackDownRiyadh Season

The Six Kings Slam Tennis Championship, will take place at ANB Arena from October 15–18, 2025, featuring tennis superstars Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Jack Draper.

On Nov. 22, the same arena will host The Ring IV: Night of the Champions, bringing together top boxers including David Benavidez, Anthony Yarde, Devin Haney, and Brian Norman Jr. for an explosive evening of world-class bouts.

The season concludes in January 2026 with WWE’s Royal Rumble and SmackDown, staged for the first time outside North America, promising a spectacle of global wrestling entertainment.