Why Saudi Arabia is attracting global sports icons like Tom Brady and Cristiano Ronaldo with massive investments | International Sports News
Saudi Arabia is fast becoming a top place for the world’s biggest sports stars. Big names are going there for big events and big pay. Tom Brady is set to play in a flag football tournament in Riyadh in March 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr in 2023 and that helped pull more soccer stars to the Saudi Pro League. The country now hosts major boxing nights, WWE shows, and Formula 1 races in Jeddah. Fans and stars see Saudi Arabia as a place for new events and big nights.
Saudi Arabia’s big sports investments and vision 2030 plan
Saudi leaders are using sport to change the country. Vision 2030 makes sport part of the plan for jobs, tourists and daily life. The Public Investment Fund and SURJ Sports Investment back big deals and many new projects. They are paying to build new stadiums, upgrade old ones, and bring big shows to Saudi cities. Experts say the Saudi sports market could grow from about $8 billion now to nearly $22.4 billion by 2030. That money and clear planning make it easier to sign top players and host world events.
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Why athletes and fans choose Saudi Arabia
Players and promoters see clear reasons to go. Athletes get large paychecks, modern venues and new fans across the Middle East. Promoters find strong local support and fast funding for big cards and shows. Fans get a chance to see top stars live, plus concerts and festivals around the sport. Events also help local business and tourism, with visitors coming for races, fights, and shows. Some groups raise concerns about rights and ethics and those concerns keep being discussed by rights groups and the media. Still, many fans and athletes say these events bring jobs, more sport at home, and new chances for local players. For now, Saudi Arabia keeps drawing big names and putting itself on the world sports map.
