Saudi Arabia Names 11 Priority Sports for 2034

Saudi Arabia has identified 11 priority sports as the core focus of its elite performance planning on the road to hosting the Riyadh 2034 Olympic Games. The designation is part of the national Olympic and Paralympic program, which classifies these disciplines as "podium sports."

The 11 sports are athletics, judo, taekwondo, karate, jiu-jitsu, swimming, weightlifting, shooting, equestrian, fencing, and wrestling. These disciplines will receive concentrated attention across upcoming international cycles, including Nagoya 2026, Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032, and finally Riyadh 2034.

The prioritization is a technical and strategic decision aimed at raising the Kingdom's competitiveness at major multi-sport events. It focuses resources and long-term planning on disciplines where Saudi athletes are seen as having the strongest potential to reach the podium.

For residents and families interested in these sports, access continues to run through existing structures: national federations under the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, sports clubs, training centers, school and university programs, and corporate sports initiatives. Any fees for coaching, club membership, or competition entry are set by individual clubs, academies, or event organizers and vary by city, venue, and level.

As of early September 2026, no unified national price list in SAR has been officially published for participation in these 11 sports, and no new mandatory government e-service step has been introduced specifically for them. The move signals where the Kingdom's sporting investment is heading over the next several years — useful context for young athletes and parents weighing where to focus their training.

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