Qiddiya

Qiddiya is a Saudi city for entertainment, sports and culture located west of the capital Riyadh, and the first city in the world built on the concept of play.[1]

It is developed by Qiddiya Investment Company, one of the companies of the Public Investment Fund, which was established in 2018, and the city extends over an area of more than 360 square kilometres to be a world city for living, playing, working, shopping and exploring.[1]

Qiddiya Investment Company was established in 2018 as one of the companies of the Public Investment Fund, and it made Qiddiya City its most prominent project, the first city in the world built on the concept of play, setting a new standard for the entertainment, sports and culture sectors.[1]

Qiddiya City extends over an area of more than 360 square kilometres and is designed to combine living, playing, working, shopping and exploring in a single destination.[1]

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the Qiddiya project, the new entertainment, sports and cultural destination west of the Saudi capital Riyadh, and the foundation stone was laid on 7 Sha'ban 1439 AH, corresponding to 23 April 2018.[2]

The first-phase master plan for Qiddiya City was unveiled on 20 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1440 AH, corresponding to 2020; it comprises more than 45 projects and 300 activities in various sectors distributed across five zones.[5]

The Public Investment Fund signed an agreement with Six Flags on 18 Rajab 1439 AH, corresponding to 4 April 2018, to develop and design a park carrying its brand in Qiddiya, which was expected to open in 2022.[3]

The design of the Six Flags Qiddiya park was unveiled on 25 Dhu al-Hijjah 1440 AH, corresponding to 26 August 2019; it spans 32 hectares and comprises 28 rides and attractions across six zones: the City of Thrills, the Mysterious Springs, Steam City, Twilight Gardens, the Valley of Treasures and the Grand Gallery, and it was expected to provide more than 17,000 jobs.[4]

A construction contract worth SAR 3.75 billion was awarded on 8 Jumada al-Awwal 1443 AH, corresponding to 2022, to build the Six Flags Qiddiya park.[6]

The opening of Six Flags Qiddiya City was announced on 24 Jumada al-Awwal 1447 AH, corresponding to 15 November 2025, as the first asset of Qiddiya City and the first park in the Kingdom to carry the Six Flags brand; it comprises 28 rides and experiences, among them Falcon's Flight, the fastest, longest and tallest roller coaster in the world.[10]

The launch of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium was announced on 3 Rajab 1445 AH, corresponding to 15 January 2024, at the heart of the city on one of the peaks of the Tuwaiq Mountains at a height of 200 metres and 40 minutes from Riyadh; it is to be the stadium hosting the matches of Al Nassr and Al Hilal clubs and one of the proposed venues for the 2034 World Cup.[7]

The Speed Park was announced on 24 Sha'ban 1445 AH, corresponding to 5 March 2024, as Qiddiya's third main destination for motorsport, featuring 21 corners that overlook the city from a height of 108 metres on every lap, designed by former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz and circuit designer Hermann Tilke, and including "The Blade" corner, whose height is equivalent to more than 20 storeys.[8]

Qiddiya Investment Company announced on 22 Sha'ban 1447 AH, corresponding to 10 February 2026, its plans to develop a world-class horse racing course to be the permanent home of the Saudi Cup, the race with the richest prize money in the world, featuring the first straight turf mile track in the region.[14]

The Performing Arts Centre was launched on 18 Dhu al-Hijjah 1445 AH, corresponding to 24 June 2024, as the first cultural landmark in Qiddiya City, on the edge of the Tuwaiq Mountains' cliffs; it is expected to receive more than 800,000 visits annually and to host more than 260 performances and events.[9]

A strategic partnership between Qiddiya Investment Company, Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team was announced on 20 Sha'ban 1446 AH, corresponding to 19 February 2025, to build a "Mercedes-AMG World" centre on an area of 45,000 square metres.[11]

The Ministry of Culture and Qiddiya Investment Company signed a memorandum of understanding on 24 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1446 AH, corresponding to 22 May 2025, to cooperate on the cultural projects hosted by Qiddiya City, including cultural infrastructure, heritage sites, museums and the performing arts.[12]

The opening of Playmaker Studios in Qiddiya City was announced on 15 Jumada al-Akhirah 1447 AH, corresponding to 6 December 2025, as the newest film production centre in the Kingdom, with construction beginning on two additional sound stages that will not be completed before 2026.[13]

Q: Where is Qiddiya located? A: It is located west of the capital Riyadh, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium is being built at its heart on one of the peaks of the Tuwaiq Mountains, 40 minutes from the city.[1][7]

Q: What is the area of Qiddiya? A: More than 360 square kilometres.[1]

Q: Who is developing Qiddiya City? A: Qiddiya Investment Company, one of the companies of the Public Investment Fund, established in 2018.[1]

Q: What are the most prominent landmarks of the city? A: Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, the Speed Park, the horse racing course, the Six Flags Qiddiya City park, the Performing Arts Centre and Mercedes-AMG World.[7][8][14][10][9][11]

Q: When did the first park in the city open? A: Six Flags Qiddiya City opened on 15 November 2025 as the first asset of the city.[10]

Qiddiya City includes Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, the Speed Park, the horse racing course, the Performing Arts Centre and Playmaker Studios, alongside the Six Flags Qiddiya City park, which opened on 15 November 2025 as the first of its assets.[7][8][14][9][13][10]

Related topics on the platform include Saudi Vision 2030, Diriyah Gate, The Red Sea Project and NEOM.