Riyadh is stepping into the spotlight as a global destination for creative strategy following the announcement of LIONS Riyadh, a new regional festival.
Announced today by Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary, the landmark event is organised by Tahaluf — a joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Events Investment Fund (EIF) — in partnership with the Ministry of Media and the global LIONS network.
LIONS Riyadh - The Details So Far
Scheduled to take place from December 6 to 8, 2027, at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), the event will gather chief marketing officers, creative leaders, agencies, brands, and emerging talent from across the region and around the world. Designed to celebrate creative excellence, effectiveness, culture, and the future of the sector, the festival will provide Middle Eastern talent and storytelling a dedicated platform to shape the global narrative while supporting the localisation of creative industries and high-quality job creation under Saudi's Vision 2030.
"Creativity and storytelling have deep roots in Saudi Arabia and in Middle Eastern culture, and today a new generation is building on that legacy with confidence, capability, and the ambition to shape the future of this story," Al-Dossary said. "LIONS Riyadh embodies the progress in our creative industries and Saudi Arabia's commitment to nurturing the talent and the ideas behind them. This is an opportunity to celebrate what distinguishes our region's creativity, strengthen its contribution to our economy and our culture, and enable our creative voices to play a greater role in the future."
Supporting Vision 2030
The initiative highlights the Kingdom's rapid trajectory as an international hub for major global gatherings across sport, entertainment, and commerce.
Co-Chairman of the Board of Tahaluf and Chairman of SAFCSP Faisal bin Saud Al-Khamisi said: "Since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has rapidly established itself as one of the world's leading destinations for major international events — from the largest global sporting platforms, including Formula 1 races and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, to major entertainment platforms such as Riyadh Season and MDLBEAST, and leading global business and government gatherings including Expo 2030 Riyadh, LEAP, and the Future Investment Initiative. The Kingdom has repeatedly demonstrated its readiness to bring the world together and deliver events to the highest standards."
He added: "The decision by the LIONS network to launch LIONS Riyadh is another important milestone on that path. It reflects the Kingdom's growing international standing and the exceptional creative potential of the Arab world, and we at Tahaluf are proud to contribute to bringing this global brand to Riyadh."
A Strategic Addition to the Global LIONS
LIONS Riyadh joins a strategic portfolio of regional platforms designed to complement Cannes Lions by providing year-round access to industry benchmarks, insights, and learning. While Cannes Lions remains the ultimate international benchmark for creative excellence, and Dubai Lynx continues as the established regional awards platform, LIONS Riyadh will focus on uniting the Kingdom's broader marketing ecosystem, developing national capabilities, and opening new investment avenues.
LIONS Chair Philip Thomas said: "The Middle East is entering a remarkable new creative era. From film, fashion, gaming, design, and entertainment to brand storytelling, we are seeing a wave of ambition and authenticity driven by a young, fast-growing population. The creative sectors are expanding rapidly, with new platforms, talent, and work emerging, while creativity and marketing play an increasingly important role in how countries, brands, and communities express themselves on the global stage."
He added: "LIONS has long been a global platform for the world's best creative thinking and marketing effectiveness. Through LIONS Riyadh, we are opening access to global benchmarks, insight, and learning, and connecting regional talent and ambition with global expertise and opportunity, supporting the next stage of growth for brands, businesses, and the wider creative economy."
Further details regarding the program schedule, keynote speakers, participating brands, and creative leaders will be revealed in the coming months.
LIONS Riyadh, from December 6 to 8, 2027 in King Abdullah Financial District
Exact location is yet to be confirmed
lionsriyadh.com
