| Qiddiya | |
|---|---|
| القدية | |
 | |
 | |
| Products | Entertainment, tourism, smart city |
| Location | Riyadh Province,Saudi Arabia |
| Owner | Public Investment Fund |
| Founder | Salman bin Abdulaziz |
| Key people | Mohammed bin Salman (Chairman) Yasir Al-Rumayyan (Secretary General) |
| Established | 7 April 2017; 8 years ago (2017-04-07) |
| Launched | 2026 (proposed opening) |
| Budget | $9.8 billion[1] |
| Website | www |
Qiddiya (Arabic:القِدِّية,romanized: al-qiddiyya / al-giddiyya,pronounced[ə-alɡɪdːijːa]) is a planned entertainment and tourismmegaproject inRiyadh,Saudi Arabia.[2] Construction started at the beginning of 2019.[2] It was planned to open in 2023,[3] though as of 2024, major projects includingSix Flags Qiddiya City, the Aquarabia waterpark, and theFormula One racetrack are under construction and incomplete (with the racetrack now being scheduled to open in 2027).[4][5] It is part of theSaudi Vision 2030 program, which aims to diversify the Saudi economy.[6]
The project, which was announced in April 2017, is part of a goal to increase local spending and diversify the Saudi economy underSaudi Vision 2030.[7] The project is supported by thePublic Investment Fund.[8] According to the organizers, the total number of annual visitors will by 2030 reach 17 million, and be the "largest tourism destination worldwide".[9][7][10] It is expected to create 325,000 jobs.[11]
The first phase of the project was planned to be completed by 2023, though it was later pushed back to 2025. Upon the completion of this phase, 45 individual projects are to be completed.[3] There is a partnership agreement between Qiddiya and theUniversity of Central Florida to train young Saudis on hospitality, tourism and sports management.[3]
AnFIAGrade 1 motor racing circuit, Qiddiya Speed Park, is expected to hold aFormula One orMotoGP race, currently planned for 2027.[12][13]
Construction delays to the racing circuit have caused numerous issues. TheinauguralSaudi Arabian Grand Prix was scheduled to be held at the course in December 2021, but because construction was unfinished, the event took place at theJeddah Corniche Circuit. Because of theFormula One Group announcement in November 2020 that a Grand Prix would be held at the circuit in 2021,[14] the Saudi government allegedly paid tens of millions dollars to maintain hosting rights after completion of the project was delayed until 2027.[15][16] The announcement led to criticism against Saudi Arabia fromhuman rights organizations, who accused the country of attempting tosportswash its image.
Six Flags Qiddiya City, which is currently under construction, is planned to be the largest theme park in theMiddle East at 79 acres (0.32 km2),[17] and is expected to have multiple attractions. Notable attractions will includeFalcons Flight, theworld's fastest, tallest, and longest roller coaster (which will partly go over the Qiddiya circuit),[18][19] and the world's tallestdrop tower ride.[20] It is set to open on December 31st, 2025.
In March 2024, Qiddiya, in collaboration withToei Animation, announced the construction of aDragon Ball theme park. It is planned to include over 30 attractions, including a 70 meter-tallShenron statue that contains a roller coaster.[21] Upon the park's announcement, it was met with mixed reception from some internationalDragon Ball fans on social media; while some expressed excitement, others criticized Saudi Arabia's poor record on human rights, women's rights, andLGBT rights.[22]
