Saudi Community Sports Push Lifts Activity to 59%

Saudi Arabia's community sports drive is showing clear results, with adult physical-activity participation reaching 59.1% in 2025, up from just 13% in 2018. The Saudi Sports for All Federation, which leads non-professional community sports under the Ministry of Sports and the Quality of Life Program, says its nationwide grassroots model is behind the rise.

The federation runs programs across schools, universities, workplaces, communities, policy, media, digital technology, and research. Its flagship initiatives include Nashati, Tennis for All, Sports for All Centers, Move with Us, Move Your Summer, 10B Steps, and the Riyadh Marathon.

The figures are measured against international benchmarks: 150 minutes of weekly activity for adults and 60 minutes daily for children and adolescents aged 5 to 17. Participation among young people reached 19% in 2025. The federation is working toward a national target of 40% physical-activity participation by 2030.

Why it matters

The growth is visible in flagship events. The Riyadh Marathon expanded from 10,000 runners in 2022 to more than 50,000 expected in 2026. Through the Sports for All application, more than 650 sports groups were launched in a single reported year, bringing together over 22,000 participants.

For residents, the model lowers barriers to staying active. There is no general registration fee, visa fee, government-service fee, or single official application covering all programs. A reported daily-pass entry at a Sports for All facility is SAR 25, though program-specific fees and operating hours vary by facility and event. Those interested should check details directly with each venue, as current venue lists and schedules vary.

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