Riyadh Season 2025-26: What’s new this year in Saudi Arabia’s biggest cultural and entertainment festival | World News – The Times of India – Delhi News Daily

Riyadh Season 2025-26 introduces major new highlights, including WWE Royal Rumble, Six Kings Slam, and the first-ever Riyadh Comedy Festival.

Riyadh Season 2025-26 is poised to become the most ambitious and expansive cultural festival Saudi Arabia has ever hosted. Opening this October and continuing through the winter months into early 2026, the sixth edition of the season promises a meticulously curated lineup of mega-events, from the world’s largest comedy festival and elite tennis tournaments to major music festivals, boxing showdowns, and the Kingdom’s first-ever WrestleMania announcement. Rooted in Saudi Vision 2030, the season combines global talent, regional artistry, immersive entertainment zones, and record-breaking spectacles, reaffirming Riyadh’s rise as a global hub for culture, sport, and celebration.

Since its inception in 2019 as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, Riyadh Season has rapidly transformed from a domestic entertainment initiative into a globally recognised cultural phenomenon. The aim was clear: diversify the economy, promote tourism, and position Riyadh as a vibrant, forward-looking city.In just six years, Riyadh Season has become a global spectacle. The 2024 edition attracted 20 million visitors with 14 themed zones, 11 sports championships including UFC Fight Night, and a dozen of festivals. In 2025, highlights include the debut Six Kings Slam tennis event, Riyadh Comedy Festival, MDLBEAST Soundstorm, WWE Royal Rumble, and a strong focus on Arabic cultural performances. HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), has reiterated that Riyadh Season 2025-26 will place special focus on Arab talent, with a particular emphasis on Saudi, Khaleeji, and Syrian music and theatre. Local creativity and storytelling will share the stage with international icons, making for a culturally inclusive program.Riyadh’s major event hubs for the 2025 season will once again include Boulevard City, Al Suwaidi Park, Boulevard World, and the Kingdom Arena, each hosting a diverse range of concerts, sports, and cultural activities. Returning permanent attractions like The Groves, an elegant European-style district known for luxury dining and retail, will continue to offer visitors an upscale experience. Connecting these vibrant zones is the innovative cable car system, providing easy access and stunning views while linking key areas to enhance visitor flow and convenience throughout the festival.

What’s new in Riyadh Season 2025-26

From October through early 2026, Riyadh will once again become a global hub for entertainment, sport, and cultural engagement. At the centre of this effort is HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), who has confirmed that Riyadh Season 2025-26 will place a renewed emphasis on Arabic content, with a particular focus on Syrian theatrical performances and musical concerts, alongside shows from the Gulf region and local Saudi talent. Cultural productions will be supported under the supervision of the GEA, and venues such as Boulevard City and Al Suwaidi Park are expected to attract significant footfall due to their expanded programming. Alongside these traditional elements, Riyadh Season 2025 will introduce major new collaborations and entertainment firsts.One of the most talked-about developments for Riyadh Season 2025-26 is the new partnership with MrBeast, the global YouTube sensation. This marks his first-ever collaboration in Saudi Arabia, promising exclusive content and immersive fan experiences tailored specifically for the festival.The campaign is still underway, with more global events, celebrity appearances, and concert lineups expected to be announced soon, keeping anticipation high among fans worldwide.Among the major confirmed events are:

Set across Boulevard City and ANB Arena, this inaugural event is being touted as the biggest comedy festival in the world. It will host 50 of the world’s top comedians, with confirmed appearances by Aziz Ansari, Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart, Russell Peters, Tom Segura, and Dave Chappelle. The festival will merge global comedy cultures with local hospitality, creating a space where humour becomes a cross-cultural dialogue.

Returning after a spectacular debut in 2024, the Six Kings Slam will again feature six of the ATP’s top-ranked players in a high-stakes, knockout-format tournament. The confirmed lineup includes Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Jack Draper, and Taylor Fritz, all listed as per the PIF ATP Ranking. The winner will take home an eye-watering $6 million, reinforcing the event’s status as one of the most lucrative and prestigious exhibition tournaments outside of the official Grand Slams.

Hosted at the King Saud University Indoor Arena, the WTA Finals return to Riyadh following successful previous runs. This edition will once again bring together the top eight singles players and top eight doubles teams on the women’s circuit. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, despite missing out on a Wimbledon title earlier this year, has already secured her spot — making this her fifth consecutive appearance at the prestigious year-end event.

MDLBEAST will once again orchestrate one of the region’s most electrifying music festivals. Soundstorm 25 will take place over three days in December and is expected to build on the immense success of last year’s edition, which featured global acts like Eminem, ASAP Rocky, Linkin Park, Argy, and Armin Van Buuren, alongside top regional talent including Bayou, Dish Dash, and Narkbeat. This year, organisers have promised an even more powerful lineup, bolstered by cutting-edge production and a continuously expanding music scene in the Kingdom.

In a historic first, the WWE Royal Rumble’s 39th edition will be held in Riyadh — the first time the event is being hosted outside the United States. Scheduled to take place at the Kingdom Arena, it will feature both men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches, with the winners earning the coveted opportunity to compete at WrestleMania. This builds on the growing relationship between WWE and Saudi Arabia, and on September 12, 2025, WWE® and TKO Group Holdings officially announced that WrestleMania 43 will also be hosted in Riyadh in 2027, making Saudi Arabia the first country outside North America to host the flagship wrestling event.

The Infrastructure of Experience: Zones, installations, and family attractions

One of Riyadh Season’s defining strengths is its immersive and diverse entertainment zones, which transform Riyadh’s urban landscape into a vast festival ground. Last season featured 14 major zones, with Boulevard City and Boulevard World serving as the primary hubs of activity. These key venues are seamlessly connected by an innovative cable car system, allowing visitors to easily explore a wide range of experiences across the city. Alongside these flagship zones, there are many other specialized venues, such as Al Suwaidi Park, Kingdom Arena, ANB Arena, The Groves, and Winter Wonderland, each offering unique entertainment, cultural showcases, and family-friendly attractions that together create a rich, multi-dimensional festival atmosphere. Boulevard City is a dynamic entertainment district offering an exciting mix of shopping, restaurants, and live concerts. It features year-round performances and vibrant social spaces, making it the lively core of Riyadh Season where culture, leisure, and music seamlessly blend.Boulevard World hosts globally themed pavilions showcasing traditional crafts, performances, and cultural exhibits from participating countries. Visitors can immerse themselves in interactive displays and authentic experiences that celebrate the diversity and heritage of nations around the world.The Groves is a luxury European-style enclave featuring upscale dining, premium retail stores, and beautifully landscaped outdoor areas. It provides a refined and elegant atmosphere, perfect for visitors seeking a sophisticated retreat within Riyadh Season’s bustling festivities.Winter Wonderland is a family-friendly zone filled with carnival rides, interactive games, and engaging entertainment for all ages. It offers a festive, magical atmosphere where children and adults alike can enjoy thrilling adventures and joyful moments during the season. A popular outdoor venue known for family-friendly activities and cultural events, Al Suwaidi Park serves as a key gathering spot during Riyadh Season, hosting concerts and performances in a relaxed, green environment. Kingdom Arena is a premier indoor stadium that hosts major sporting events, concerts, and large-scale entertainment shows, providing state-of-the-art facilities and a central location for high-profile Riyadh Season happenings. The ANB Arena is a cutting-edge sports venue designed for elite competitions. It will be the stage for the debut Six Kings Slam tennis tournament in 2025, featuring top ATP players in a thrilling knockout format.

Riyadh Season 2025 places strong emphasis on Arabic-language content, spotlighting Syrian and Gulf theatrical productions alongside concerts. Under the General Entertainment Authority’s supervision, the lineup includes acclaimed regional plays and musical performances, with notable participation from prominent Saudi and Khaleeji artists, ensuring authentic cultural representation and celebrating the rich heritage of the Arab world throughout the season.

Riyadh Season is transforming Saudi Arabia from an arid desert into a fertile land of culture, creativity, and global entertainment. As a strategic pillar of Vision 2030, it aims to diversify the economy beyond oil and significantly boost international tourism. By positioning Riyadh as a leading global entertainment capital, the season showcases the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage and fosters local and regional talent. From spectacular concerts and landmark sporting events to immersive themed zones and world-class dining experiences, Riyadh Season plays a vital role in redefining Saudi Arabia’s identity and opening it up to the world.