Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has announced investment and development agreements worth over $1.07 billion (4 billion SAR) for new entertainment projects and events to launch in 2026.
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The announcement was made at the Joy Forum 2025, a major entertainment industry event held in Riyadh as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy and enhance quality of life.
The two-day forum, held at Boulevard City in Riyadh, was inaugurated by Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, who highlighted the Kingdom’s rapid transformation under Saudi Vision 2030 and its rise as a global hub for tourism, culture, and live events.
The deals, exceeding SAR 4 billion (approximately $1.07 billion USD), will fund new entertainment projects and events planned for 2026.
Announced at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, these investments align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal to establish itself as a global hub for tourism, culture, and live events.
Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the GEA, also noted the upcoming opening of the first phase of the Qiddiya project, including the Six Flags Qiddiya theme park, later in 2025.
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The entertainment sector is expected to contribute substantially to the GDP and job creation as part of Vision 2030.
The Joy Forum 2025 gathered international leaders, investors, and innovators from across the entertainment industry to discuss growth opportunities, partnerships, and the Kingdom’s emerging role as a global center for live experiences and mega-events.
The forum builds on the GEA’s goal to make Saudi Arabia one of the world’s leading destinations for entertainment, tourism, and cultural exchange, aligned with the long-term objectives of Vision 2030.
