As UFC announces its first Saudi event, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spearheads a transformative agenda, pushing the boundaries of entertainment and economic diversification.
Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in the world of sports, particularly through the introduction of UFC events as a part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader efforts to transform the country. The inaugural UFC event in Saudi Arabia is set to take place in March as part of the Riyadh Season festival. This event marks a significant moment in Saudi Arabia’s increasing influence in global combat sports and aligns with the Crown Prince’s vision to enhance the kingdom’s soft power and attract international tourism.
The Crown Prince’s efforts go beyond just sports, as part of the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce its dependence on oil. This vision encompasses various sectors, including technology, tourism, and entertainment, with the goal of transforming Saudi Arabia into a hub for knowledge and innovation.
These moves are part of a broader strategy by the Crown Prince to modernize the kingdom and shift the societal and economic landscape towards a more diversified and progressive future.
Saudi Arabia must transform itself, and fast.
Mohammed Bin Salman
Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, has expressed his enthusiasm for expanding UFC events in the Kingdom following the success of the first event. In a post-event interview, Alalshikh voiced his desire for the next UFC event in Saudi Arabia to accommodate 30,000 attendees and include women fighters, marking a significant departure from traditional sporting events in the country. He emphasized the importance of this change, noting the positive reception and high attendance at the initial event. Alalshikh is also looking forward to a future event in Las Vegas, underlining his commitment to strengthening the relationship with UFC.
