A significant development in Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry is Universal Studios’ plans to construct a multibillion-dollar theme park there. The park, which is still in its early design stage, might be built in Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia’s expansive new tourist and leisure destination.
Saudi Arabia Welcomes Universal Studios’ Multibillion-Dollar Entertainment Park
Early preparation
The Wall Street Journal reports that Comcast, the parent company of Universal Studios, is considering building a theme park in Saudi Arabia. As of right now, no construction approvals have been issued, and the ideas are only conceptual. Qiddiya, a popular tourist, sports, and entertainment attraction southwest of Riyadh, is probably the intended location.
Brian Roberts, the CEO of Comcast, recently traveled to Saudi Arabia to attend an investment conference and took a tour of the Qiddiya site, which is thought to be a possible site for the park. Roberts emphasized that the project is not yet finalized and verified that it is in the early planning phases. Which Universal franchises, rides, or attractions would be included is still unknown.
As a component of a larger entertainment expansion
The proposed Universal Studios park is part of a larger initiative to build vast theme parks in the Gulf. The Walt Disney Company and Abu Dhabi developer Miral announced a collaboration earlier this year to construct a theme park in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The Kingdom’s first theme park, Six Flags Qiddiya City, is set to open in Riyadh on December 31, 2025. Saudi Arabia itself is working on a number of entertainment projects. These programs are a part of Saudi Arabia’s national policy, Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the country’s economy away from oil and increase tourism, leisure, and cultural infrastructure.
The massive amusement center of Saudi Arabia, Qiddiya, is roughly 2.5 times larger than Disney World in Florida, covering an area of 334 square kilometers. The project’s ultimate goal, according to the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), is to draw 48 million tourists a year and boost the nation’s GDP by SAR17 billion ($4.5 billion).
Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry has already expanded quickly. Over 100 million tourists visited the Kingdom in 2024, including about 30 million foreign visitors. With almost 60.9 million visitors in just the first half of 2025, preliminary numbers show sustained increase.
Global entertainment companies’ growing interest in Saudi Arabia is reflected in the proposed Universal Studios park. In addition to improving the Kingdom’s recreational options, it would help achieve the target of 150 million tourists by 2030.
Considering the future
The Universal Studios project, which is still in the conceptual stage, has the potential to become a landmark attraction in Qiddiya, enhancing other significant projects in the area. If implemented, it would demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s approach of leveraging expenditures in culture and entertainment to propel economic expansion and establish the Kingdom as a popular travel and leisure destination worldwide.
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FAQs: Universal Studios Theme Park in Saudi Arabia
1. Is Universal Studios planning to build a theme park in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, Universal Studios’ parent company Comcast is reportedly planning a multibillion-dollar theme park project in Saudi Arabia, currently in the early conceptual stage.
2. Where will the Universal Studios theme park be located in Saudi Arabia?
The proposed location is Qiddiya, a massive entertainment and tourism destination near Riyadh.
3. Has Universal Studios officially confirmed the Saudi theme park?
No official construction confirmation has been made yet. The project is still in the early planning and design phase.
4. Who owns Universal Studios?
Universal Studios is owned by Comcast Corporation, a major U.S. media and entertainment conglomerate.
5. Why is Saudi Arabia attracting major theme park investments?
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in entertainment and tourism under its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy beyond oil.
6. What is Qiddiya City?
Qiddiya is a large-scale entertainment, sports, and tourism development southwest of Riyadh, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
7. How big is Qiddiya compared to Disney World?
Qiddiya spans around 334 square kilometers, making it approximately 2.5 times larger than Walt Disney World in Florida.
8. What stage is the Universal Studios Saudi project in?
The project is currently at a conceptual and early planning stage, with no construction approvals issued yet.
9. Did Comcast CEO Brian Roberts visit Saudi Arabia?
Yes, Brian Roberts recently visited Saudi Arabia and toured the Qiddiya site during an investment conference.
10. What did Brian Roberts say about the project?
He confirmed that the project is not finalized and remains in the early planning phase.
11. Which Universal franchises might be included in the park?
At this stage, no specific franchises, rides, or attractions have been officially announced.
12. Will the park include Harry Potter or Jurassic World attractions?
There is no confirmation yet, but these popular Universal franchises are often included in Universal theme parks globally.
13. How much will the Universal Studios Saudi park cost?
While no official figure has been released, reports describe it as a multibillion-dollar project.
14. How does this project align with Saudi Vision 2030?
It supports Vision 2030 by boosting tourism, entertainment infrastructure, and non-oil economic growth.
15. How many tourists does Saudi Arabia aim to attract by 2030?
Saudi Arabia aims to attract around 150 million tourists annually by 2030.
16. How many tourists visited Saudi Arabia in 2024?
Over 100 million tourists visited Saudi Arabia in 2024, including around 30 million international visitors.
17. What are Saudi Arabia’s tourism numbers in 2025 so far?
Preliminary data suggests around 60.9 million visitors in the first half of 2025.
18. What other theme parks are coming to Saudi Arabia?
Six Flags Qiddiya City is set to open in Riyadh on December 31, 2025.
19. Is Disney also planning a theme park in the Middle East?
Yes, Disney has announced a partnership with Miral to build a theme park in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
20. How does the Universal Studios project compare to Disney’s UAE park?
Both projects signal growing global entertainment investment in the Gulf region.
21. Who is funding Qiddiya City?
Qiddiya is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
22. What is the economic impact expected from Qiddiya?
Qiddiya aims to attract 48 million visitors annually and contribute SAR 17 billion ($4.5 billion) to GDP.
23. Will the Universal park create jobs in Saudi Arabia?
If approved, the project is expected to generate thousands of jobs across construction, operations, and tourism.
24. Is this Universal Studios’ first park in the Middle East?
Yes, if completed, it would be Universal Studios’ first theme park in the Middle East.
25. Why are U.S. entertainment companies investing in Saudi Arabia?
The Kingdom offers large-scale government backing, rapid infrastructure growth, and a rising tourism market.
26. Will the park follow Saudi cultural guidelines?
Yes, all entertainment projects in Saudi Arabia must comply with local regulations and cultural norms.
27. When could construction begin if approved?
No timeline has been announced, as approvals and final agreements are still pending.
28. Could the Universal Studios park open before 2030?
If approved soon, it could potentially open before 2030, but no official dates exist.
29. Will the park be family-friendly?
Universal Studios parks worldwide are family-oriented, and the Saudi version is expected to follow a similar model.
30. How will this impact Saudi Arabia’s global image?
It would strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global entertainment and tourism hub.
31. What makes Qiddiya attractive for theme parks?
Its vast land area, government backing, and integrated entertainment ecosystem make it ideal.
32. Are other global brands interested in Qiddiya?
Yes, several international entertainment and sports brands are already partnering with Qiddiya.
33. Will the park boost international tourism to Saudi Arabia?
Yes, a Universal Studios park would likely attract millions of international visitors.
34. How does this benefit local businesses?
It would boost hospitality, retail, transport, and service sectors.
35. Is the project politically supported in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, entertainment expansion is a key pillar of Vision 2030 backed by the government.
36. Will the park include hotels and resorts?
While unconfirmed, Universal parks typically include integrated hospitality offerings.
37. Could this become one of the largest Universal parks globally?
Given Qiddiya’s scale, it has the potential to be among the largest.
38. Are environmental concerns being considered?
Major projects in Saudi Arabia increasingly include sustainability and environmental planning.
39. How does this affect competition with Dubai and Abu Dhabi?
It positions Saudi Arabia as a strong competitor in the Gulf’s entertainment tourism market.
40. Is the project linked to Saudi Arabia’s giga-project strategy?
Yes, it aligns with giga-projects like NEOM, Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya.
41. What role does the Public Investment Fund play?
PIF supports large-scale developments that drive long-term economic diversification.
42. Will ticket prices be affordable for locals?
Pricing details are unknown, but regional accessibility is likely to be considered.
43. Can this project influence future Universal expansions?
Success in Saudi Arabia could encourage further expansion in emerging markets.
44. Is the project facing any opposition?
So far, no major opposition has been reported, as plans remain conceptual.
45. How long do theme park projects like this usually take?
From approval to opening, such projects can take 5–7 years.
46. Will the park focus on thrill rides or immersive experiences?
Universal parks are known for immersive, story-driven attractions.
47. Could this attract film and media production to Saudi Arabia?
Yes, it could support Saudi Arabia’s growing media and entertainment sector.
48. Is this part of Saudi Arabia’s soft power strategy?
Yes, cultural and entertainment investments play a role in global soft power.
49. Will Universal Studios partner with Saudi companies?
Local partnerships are likely, though none have been announced.
50. What does this mean for the future of entertainment in Saudi Arabia?
It signals a transformative shift, positioning the Kingdom as a global entertainment destination.
