SR1bn Private Sports City Deal Signed for Dammam

A private-sector sports development worth SR1 billion (about $267 million) has been agreed for Dammam Sports City in the Eastern Province, in a deal signed during the Sports Investment Forum 2026 held in الرياض.

The agreement was signed by Sharqia Development Authority CEO Talal bin Nabeel Al-Maghlouth, Sports Investment Forum CEO Ibrahim Al-Bakri, and Dammam Valley Co. CEO Abdulaziz Al-Mutlaq, alongside a representative of وزارة الاستثمار, Basim Ibrahim.

The project is described as a private sector–led development rather than a government-funded one. It is planned as a mixed-use sports development in the Dammam area, with a total planned investment of SR1 billion.

Why it matters

The deal reflects a wider push toward privatization and public-private partnerships in the Saudi sports sector, an area increasingly opened to private capital under national development goals. Long-term Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) contracts of 20 to 30 years have become common for major sports cities, though no specific term has yet been publicly attached to Dammam Sports City.

For residents and visitors in the Eastern Province, the development could expand local sports and leisure options over the coming years. As of mid-2026, however, no ticket prices, membership fees, or venue charges have been announced, and details on land-lease payments, concession fees, or revenue-share arrangements have not been made public.

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