In a significant move for the global entertainment industry, Universal Studios is considering the development of a massive, multi-billion dollar theme park in Saudi Arabia. This ambitious project signals a major leap forward for the Kingdom's rapidly expanding leisure and tourism sector under its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.
Early-Stage Plans for a Mega Park
Comcast, the parent company of Universal Studios, is in the early conceptual phase of exploring the possibility of establishing a theme park in the Kingdom. According to reports, the plans are still preliminary, and no formal approvals for construction have been granted yet. The proposed location for this potential entertainment giant is the Qiddiya area, a sprawling new hub for leisure and tourism situated southwest of the capital, Riyadh.
Brian Roberts, the Chief Executive Officer of Comcast, recently visited Saudi Arabia. During his trip, which included attendance at an investment conference, he toured the Qiddiya site, widely tipped as the future home for the park. Roberts confirmed the project is in its initial planning stages and stressed that nothing has been finalised. It remains unclear which popular Universal franchises, rides, or attractions would be featured if the project moves forward.
Part of Saudi Arabia's Broader Entertainment Push
This potential investment by Universal Studios aligns with a larger regional trend of developing world-class theme parks in the Gulf. Earlier this year, the Walt Disney Company announced a partnership with Abu Dhabi's Miral to build a theme park in the UAE capital. Within Saudi Arabia itself, several major entertainment projects are underway.
Notably, Six Flags Qiddiya City, the Kingdom's first dedicated theme park, is scheduled to open in Riyadh on 31 December 2025. These initiatives are core components of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a national strategy designed to reduce economic dependence on oil by boosting sectors like tourism, leisure, and culture.
Qiddiya: The Heart of the Kingdom's Entertainment Ambitions
The scale of the Qiddiya development is monumental. Encompassing 334 square kilometres, it is approximately two and a half times the size of the famous Disney World resort in Florida, USA. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is backing the project, has set ambitious targets for Qiddiya. The aim is to eventually attract up to 48 million visitors every year and contribute a substantial SAR 17 billion (approximately $4.5 billion) to the nation's GDP.
Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is already on a strong growth trajectory. In 2024, the Kingdom welcomed over 100 million visitors, which included around 30 million international tourists. Preliminary data for 2025 shows this momentum continuing, with about 60.9 million visitors recorded in just the first half of the year.
The interest from a global brand like Universal Studios underscores the rising appeal of the Saudi market. If realised, the park would significantly enhance the country's leisure offerings and directly support the Vision 2030 goal of reaching 150 million annual visitors by the end of the decade.
Looking to the Future
While still a concept, the potential Universal Studios park could become a landmark attraction within the Qiddiya ecosystem. It would complement other major developments in the region and serve as a powerful symbol of Saudi Arabia's strategic shift. By leveraging large-scale cultural and entertainment investments, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a premier global destination for tourism and leisure, driving economic growth for the future.
