Your complete guide to Qiddiya: everything to look forward to
All the things we cannot wait for
Qiddiya, one of the many many entertainment mega-projects planned for the Kingdom, has been ramping up its announcements lately A major cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, the project aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, creating thousands of job opportunities for the ambitious Saudi youth.
Located on the outskirts of Riyadh, nearly 40 minutes away, the new destination promises endless enjoyment for its residents and visitors through unparalleled offerings in entertainment, sports, culture, and urban living. Here’s your complete guide to Qiddiya.
Aquarabia
Whether you’re four or 40, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of zipping down a waterslide on a hot summer day, feeling the rush of adrenaline that comes with every twist, turn, and drop, and then plummeting into a shallow pool, climbing out, and doing it all over again. And soon, you’ll be able to make your family outing a huge splash at Aquarabia, Saudi Arabia’s first homegrown water theme park in Qiddiya City.
Aquarabia will be touted as the first water theme park of its kind in Saudi Arabia, and the largest in the region, offering immersive and narrative-based design elements and attractions seldom seen in water parks.
Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre
Qiddiya City is one of the most ambitious developments coming to the Kingdom, complete with a glorious water park which just so happens to be the biggest in the region, a massive stadium, and now a stunning Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre has also been revealed.
Promising to be a cultural experience like no other for residents and tourists, the new venue can accommodate up to 3,000 seats across three theatres and is all set to host over 260 indoor and outdoor performances and events every year.
The first-of-its-kind Qiddiya Gaming District
The megaproject will be home to the world’s first mixed-use gaming and esports district that is set to attract gamers from all over the world. The Qiddiya Gaming District will boast four dedicated esports venues and host a year-round calendar of some of the biggest esports events, with a combined peak esports tournament seating capacity of 73,000 across the destination.
The new venues will boast the largest indoor LED screen in any esports arena and feature 5,300 seats each, making them two of the three largest esports venues in the world. The brand-new Gaming and Esports District will cover an area of over 500,000 square meters, which will not just be limited to gaming areas. It will also include 100,000 square metres of retail, dining, and entertainment venues.
World’s first Dragon Ball theme park
The beloved Japanese manga series Dragon Ball is set to come to life in Saudi Arabia as a super-sized theme park. Announced this week via the brand’s official website, the 500,000 square metre entertainment destination will be the world’s first Dragon Ball theme park, and will add seven curated zones to the Kingdom’s thrilling Qiddiya gigaproject.
Each of the seven different areas at the Dragon Ball theme park will recreate iconic scenes from the original anime series. The first three – Kame House, Capsule Corporation, and Beerus’s Planet – have already been confirmed, with a further four still to be revealed. At the Qiddya theme park, fans will be able to journey around some 30 attractions, discovering adventures with Goku and pals as they go.
Mercedes-AMG World of Performance experience centre
The mega-development has now announced that a Mercedes-AMG World of Performance experience centre will be joining the list. Opening in collaboration with Mercedes‑AMG and the Mercedes‑AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the experience centre will span approximately 45,000 square metres and will be among the largest attractions of its kind in the region.
Featuring numerous highly immersive attractions and exhibits focused on Mercedes‑AMG and its eight‑time World Constructors’ Champion F1 Team, it’s set to welcome visitors within this decade. Across nine floors of adrenaline-fuelled experiences, visitors can dive right into the excitement and thrill of the performance car brand like never before.
Six Flags Qiddiya City
Located in the shadow of the breathtaking Tuwaiq Mountains, Six Flags Qiddiya City is a thrill park that will push the boundaries of the possible with five world record-breaking rides, including the Falcons Flight, the world’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster, which will run parallel to the F1 track. The good news? Six Flags Qiddiya City is preparing to open by Q4 2025, alongside the newly announced Aquarabia, the first water theme park of its kind in Saudi Arabia and the largest in the region.
Mega golf course in Qiddiya
The megaproject has just revealed plans for an 18-hole golf course designed by English golfer Sir Nick Faldo. So, dust off the clubs, we’ve got a brand-new mega golf course in Qiddiya to check out (soon). Set alongside the 200-metre-high cliffs of the Tuwaiq Mountains, the course is a part of Qiddiya’s broader vision and goal to strengthen golf infrastructure in the Kingdom. The larger golf destination will include a clubhouse, extensive training grounds, and an advanced academy developed by Patterson Design.
Prince Mohammad bin Salman Stadium
Prince Mohammad bin Salman Stadium
The iconic new multi-use venue is anticipated to host some of Saudi Arabia’s biggest sports, entertainment, and cultural events. The Prince Mohammad bin Salman Stadium will be located in Qiddiya City at the top of the breathtaking 200-meter-high Tuwaiq Cliff, and just 40 minutes from Riyadh, this futuristic venue is anticipated to become a must-visit destination.
The stadium will be created by renowned international architectural firm Populous, and it will be the first fully integrated venue in the world with a retractable roof, pitch, and LED wall, which will allow the space to transform into different ‘event modes” in a matter of minutes.
Speed Track
Designed to stage the biggest international motorsport championships, the Qiddiya speed track will be located in the heart of Qiddiya City. The track will sit at the centre of an area dedicated to motorsports and will feature the sport’s most recognisable track design features.
Designed by Austrian former Formula One driver Alex Wurz and German circuit designer Hermann Tilke, the fast-flowing track has been designed by race drivers, for race drivers, and features 21 corners utilising Qiddiya City’s dramatic landscape to create over 108 metres of elevation gain per lap.
Visit: qiddiya.com
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