Sports Boulevard

Sports Boulevard is an urban sports project in the city of Riyadh built around a continuous path for walking, cycling and horse riding. It was launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on 19 March 2019, and is among the most important projects of Saudi Vision 2030. [1][2]

The project runs across the capital between Wadi Hanifah in the west and Wadi Al-Sulai in the east along Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road, extending more than 135 km, and is classified as the largest sports track in the world. The Sports Boulevard Foundation oversees it, chaired by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. [1][2]

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud launched the project on 19 March 2019, making it one of Riyadh's major projects and one of the most important projects of Saudi Vision 2030, raising the city's standing among comparable cities of the world and encouraging residents to take up sport. [1][2]

The board of directors of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, the body responsible for the project, is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the Foundation's organising decree was issued in February 2020. [2]

The track runs alongside Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road, linking Wadi Hanifah in the west of the city of Riyadh with Wadi Al-Sulai in the east over a length exceeding 135 km. [1]

Wadi Hanifah, one of the project's destinations, extends 13.4 km from Al-Ulab Dam in the north to Jeddah Road in the south, while Wadi Al-Sulai extends 43 km from King Fahd Stadium in the south to King Salman Park in Banban in the north. [3][4]

The boulevard provides tracks for pedestrians, routes for professional and amateur cyclists, dedicated horse tracks, and other sports facilities. Its cycling tracks total 220 km, while the sports facilities number more than 50. [1]

Wadi Al-Sulai contains cycling tracks extending 75 km and horse tracks extending 35 km, alongside nine stations serving cyclists and visitors. [4]

Ten destinations and sub-projects make up the boulevard: Wadi Hanifah, the Promenade, Al-Wadi, the Entertainment Destination, the Sports Destination, Wadi Al-Sulai, the Arts Destination, the Environmental Destination, Al-Rimal Sports Park, and the internal cycling track at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. [1]

The boulevard's facades share a unified architectural style, defined by the features of the Sports Boulevard Urban Code, which is derived from the principles of Salmani architecture. [1]

The organising decree of the Sports Boulevard Foundation was issued in February 2020, and work on the first phase began in October 2021. [2]

In July 2022 the Urban Code of the boulevard was launched, and the designs of the Sports Tower were approved in July 2024. [2]

More than 170,000 trees and green areas exceeding 4 million square metres form part of the project. [1]

These elements fall within the project's aims of improving quality of life and enhancing the urban landscape of the city of Riyadh. [1]

Premium investment zones within the project cover more than 3 million square metres. [1]

The project also seeks to promote a healthy lifestyle that encourages physical activity, and to make Riyadh one of the most liveable cities in the world. [1]

Q: What is Sports Boulevard? A: An urban sports project in the city of Riyadh extending more than 135 km between Wadi Hanifah and Wadi Al-Sulai, with tracks for walking, cycling and horses, and sports facilities. [1]

Q: When was the project launched and who oversees it? A: It was launched on 19 March 2019, and is overseen by the Sports Boulevard Foundation, chaired by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. [2]

Q: How extensive are the cycling tracks and facilities of the project? A: 220 km of cycling tracks, more than 50 sports facilities, more than 170,000 trees, and green areas exceeding 4 million square metres. [1]

Q: What are the destinations of the project? A: Ten destinations comprising Wadi Hanifah, the Promenade, Al-Wadi, the Entertainment Destination, the Sports Destination, Wadi Al-Sulai, the Arts Destination, the Environmental Destination, Al-Rimal Sports Park, and the internal cycling track at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. [1]