18 unmissable sporting events in Saudi this year
18 unmissable sporting events in Saudi this year
The Kingdom continues to emerge as a hub for international sporting events, and this year's calendar of events will see the arrival of even more sporting enthusiasts from around the world
09 February 24
Riyadh Season 2023 Sporting Events
From adrenaline-fuelled motorsport spectacles streamed around the world to thrilling boxing showdowns with international names on the bill and golf tournaments that have garnered world-wide attention, the Kingdom is fast becoming the go-to Middle Eastern destination for all premier sports events.
Supporting Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is set to host an array of prestigious and exciting events that will redefine the landscape of sports, offering sports enthusiasts a diverse array of events in world-class facilities, the Kingdom has firmly secured its position in the calendars of enthusiasts from around the world.
Let's take a look at some of the more exciting events coming to the Kingdom this year:
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Endurance Cup 2024
Type: Horse Racing - Endurance
When: February 10 & 11
Where: AlUla
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Endurance Cup returns to the AlUla desert for a fifth year: taking place over two days, almost 200 jockeys and their steads will race against each other through 120 kilometres of desert sands and intense terrain of the AlUla region. Considered one of the toughest and most intense horse races both in the region and around the world, this is set to be an international gathering of the best of the best in endurance riding.
@experiencealula @alulamoments
The Saudi Cup 2024
Type: Horse Racing
When: February 23 & 24
Where: King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Riyadh
Over the course of two days, international thoroughbreds and the world-class jockeys will race against each other to win glory. The Saudi Cup 2024 has a total prize pot of USD$35 million on the line, but the real anticipation is for The World's Most Valuable Horse Race or what is often referred to as the World's Richest Race - where the winner will bag a prize of USD$20 million. As always the race series will culminate with exciting line up of musicians and djs taking to the stage.
Tough Mudder Infinity Challenge
Type: Endurance and Agility Obstacle Course
When: February 24
Where: AlUla Farms, AlUla
Described as the most intense Tough Mudder Challenge on the planet, the Infinity Challenge will see the most elite and fit competitors complete as many loops of the course as possible in an 8 hour time frame. Once the eight hour time cap has been reached, just one winner will be announced as the ultimate champion. If this isn't your thing, you can also complete the 5km loop or 10km loop with pals or for New Year's fitness challenge for yourself.
LIV Golf
Type: Golf
When: March 1 - 3
Where: Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah
Revitalising and reinvigorating the game of golf, LIV Golf takes on a fresh and innovative approach to the sport. With a number of competitions taking place throughout the year, this year's Saudi leg will take place in Jeddah, with big names such as John Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Bubba Watson all taking part.
Rally Jameel 2024
Type: Motor Sports - Off-roading
When: March 4 - 8
Where: Dakar, Hail and AlUla
Finishing on International Women's Day 2024, Rally Jameel is an all-female race is a thrilling exhibition of off-roading and navigation. Passing through five cities over five days, the route will vary anywhere from 300km to 400km per day and see teams of two accrue points to become the winners on the final day. Not just a race determined by speed, Rally Jameel a race that pivots on strategic thinking, precision navigation and team work.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
Type: Motor Sports - Formula 1
When: March 7 - 9
Where: Jeddah Corniche
The Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is gearing up for its third edition at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. One of just a handful of street tracks, the Saudi leg of the Grand Prix is a highlight on the Formula 1 calendar. Nothing short of high-octane, this event sees drivers tackle a thrilling 6.175-kilometre circuit featuring 27 bends and turns, at triple digit speeds, demanding intense precision throughout the 50 laps.
@saudiarabiangp
saudiarabiangp.com
Knock Out Chaos
Type: Boxing
When: March 8
Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh
Two-time heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua returns to the Kingdom Arena ring this March for a hotly anticipated clash with MMA champ, Francis Ngannou. Both Joshua and Ngannou have headlined fight titles in the 2023 calendar, including Riyadh Season's Day of Reckoning and Battle of the Baddest, respectively. Boxing fanatics are gearing up for ten powerful rounds of top-tier boxing.
@riyadhseason @francisngannou @anthonyjoshua
FEI Equestrian World Cup Finals
Type: Dressage and Show Jumping
When: April 16 - 20
Where: Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh
An Olympic qualifying final for show jumping and dressage, 35 riders from around the world will compete in the show jumping competition whilst 17 riders competing in the dressage. Of course, alongside Olympic qualifications, winners will be in with a chance to win a portion of the €2.6 million or $2.7 million prize pot that is up for grabs.
AlUla Camel Cup 2024
Type: Camel Racing
When: April 24 - 27
Where: Mughayra Heritage Sports Village, AlUla
Taking place over the course of four days, the AlUla Camel Cup will see jockeys and camels taking on various distances, challenges and courses, from 5km and 8km races to the intense marathon-length events. Both male and female jockeys are set to compete in these races. Discover more here.
World Table Tennis Championship 'Saudi Smash' 2024
Type: Table Tennis
When: May 1- 11
Where: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
Elite, international table tennis stars will go head-to-head at the international championship, organised by the Saudi Table Tennis Federation, supervised by the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the World Table Tennis Organisation. With a four phased approach to elimination rounds, players (once they advance to the finals) will vie for titles in the five tournaments: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles.
Undisputed 'Ring of Fire'
Type: Boxing
When: May 18
Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh
Ring of Fire (originally scheduled for February 17) will now take place on May 18 under the title of Undisputed. Undisputed will see the undefeated WBC Heavyweight Champion of the world, Tyson Fury clash against Unified Champion, Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk. Click here for everything you need to know about the new rescheduled date, and to see the belt created for the occasion.
@riyadhseason @tysonfury @usykaa
Four Crown Showdown
Type: Boxing
When: June 1
Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh
Set to be a fight-night to remember, the Four Crown Showdown will see Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol go head-to-head in a battle to see who will be the undisputed World Light Heavyweight Champion. Four championship belts are up for grabs, but there can be only one ultimate champ.
UFC Fight Night
Type: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
When: June 22
Where: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh
Mark your diaries for June 22, as the first-ever UFC Fight Night to take place in the Kingdom will take over the Kingdom Arena. Originally slated to take place on March 2, the fight-night was postponed to ensure the top international talent would be available to take part - however, the fight card remains unknown.
Riyadh Season Card
Type: Boxing
When: August 3
Where: BMO Stadium, Los Angeles
Okay, so not quite an event happening in the Kingdom, but this boxing bout is worthy of a place on this list as it will be the first international debut for a Riyadh Season event. Riyadh Season Card will be a title bout between Undisputed Welterweight Champion, American Terence 'Bud' Crawford and WBA Super-Welterweight Champion, Israil Madrimov from Uzbekistan, where both men will fight for the coveted double title of WBA and WBO World Super-Welterweight Champion.
6 Kings Slam
Type: Tennis - Singles
When: October 2024
Where: Riyadh
As part of Riyadh Season, six internationally renowned tennis champions will go head-to-head in this one-off tennis exhibition, including Rafael Nadal, 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic and 2-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz. The exact date and location of the event is yet to be confirmed.
Saudi Games 2024
Type: Multi-Disciplinary Sports
When: October 7 - 17
Where: Various locations including Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Olympic Complex, Riyadh
The largest sporting event in the Kingdom, the Saudi Games returns for its third edition this October. Saudi's very own Olympics sees athletes from various regions of Saudi Arabia participate in a wide array of more than 50 individual and team sports, ranging from archery, athletics, and e-sports to golf and more.
WTA Finals 2024
Type: Tennis - Singles & Doubles
When: November 2 - 9
Where: Riyadh
The first of three editions taking places in Riyadh, the 2024 edition of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals will take place this November. The competition will feature the top 8 singles players and doubles teams, but who will be crowned the winner? To support WTA Finals, the Saudi Tennis Federation will offer record prize money of $15.25 million, which is only set to increase over the three year partnership.
Next Gen ATP Finals 2024
Type: Tennis - Singles
When: December 18 - 22
Where: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
Over five days, the world’s top 20-and-under singles players of the ATP Tour season will battle it out to be declared the champion.
Events to Look Forward to in 2025
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Jeddah 2025: April 18 - 20, 2025
Dakar Rally 2025: May 18, 2025
FIBA Asia Basketball Cup 2025: August 5 - 17, 2025
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