Saudi Arabia is gearing up to become the next big luxury tourist destination, but it’s also developing its sporting scene with equal enthusiasm. From world-class stadiums and esports districts to race tracks and year-round ski villages, anything that sparks their imagination is swiftly transformed into an expensive reality. With such rapid development on the sporting front, it’s no surprise that Saudi Arabia is considering a bid to host the Olympics. Their ambitions are as grand as their stadiums, and they might be eyeing the 2036 Olympic Games, just two years after potentially hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup. It would be an ultra-expensive affair, but clearly, a couple of billion dollars won’t deter the visionary Crown Prince MBS’s plans.
According to NY TImes, the 2028 LA Olympics is estimated to cost $7 billion. If the kingdom gets the chance to host the iconic games in 2036, it would undoubtedly be an even more lavish and noteworthy event. “We as a country are setting up for doing more and more, and I think the Olympics is a logical step,” said Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation. “But, when we are ready.” This plan was unveiled after the successful inaugural Esports World Cup in Riyadh. Believed to be the sole bidder for the FIFA 2034 World Cup, Saudi Arabia is already overseeing the construction of 15 modern stadiums. Add another two years, and the country could indeed be the most infrastructure-ready nation for the 2036 Olympic Games.
While that may still be a decade away, Saudi Arabia is also set to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029 at the stunning Trojena, located in the $1.5 trillion Neom City. According to Arabian Business, a large Saudi delegation attended the Paris Olympics this year to observe how a mega-event is conducted, ahead of the FIFA World Cup. However, securing the 2036 Olympics won’t be easy, as other Middle Eastern countries like Qatar, India, and Turkey have already announced their intention to bid for hosting rights. Qatar, with its equally impressive array of stadiums and infrastructure, makes for a formidable contender in this race for the historic event.
