The Middle East is rapidly establishing itself as a dominant force in the global sports industry, fuelled by strategic investments, bold reforms, and a digital-first approach. According to a new report by global consultancy Kearney, the region is reshaping the global sports landscape as the industry heads toward a projected value of $600 billion by 2030.
Strategic Investments and Visionary Policies
Governments across the region are allocating billions to sports infrastructure, high-performance training centres, and elite digital platforms. These investments are designed not only to attract world-class talent and host global events but also to embed sport into national development agendas.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, for instance, places sport at the centre of its socio-economic transformation. The UAE and Qatar are also scaling their ecosystems to draw in global talent and enhance competitiveness. From the Bahrain Grand Prix to the Dubai Tennis Championships, the region is solidifying its position on the global sporting calendar.
According to Kearney, this shift is being powered by a clear strategy: aligning sports with economic diversification, tourism growth, and social development objectives.
Saudi Arabia Sets Global Benchmark in Sport
Saudi Arabia is now a global reference point for sports development, combining high-profile hosting with systemic reforms. The Kingdom has already hosted global tournaments and is preparing for new ventures like the Olympic Esports Games. It has also committed $38 billion to becoming a global gaming hub, targeting younger demographics and positioning itself at the frontier of digital fan engagement.
The Kingdom’s approach has resulted in a 150% increase in female participation in sport since the launch of Vision 2030. New professional women’s football leagues are also gaining traction in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.
Dubai is set to host the inaugural World Sports Summit in December 2025, following a directive by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. The summit will reinforce the emirate’s role as a central node in global sports innovation and policy dialogue.
Innovation, Inclusion and Digital Engagement Define Growth
From immersive content and fan streaming to esports and data-driven audience insights, the region is embracing cutting-edge technologies to elevate engagement and monetisation.
Kearney’s report outlines five key growth levers reshaping the industry:
- Commercial excellence, including new revenue from sponsorship, matchday, media rights and merchandise.
- Fan engagement, using behavioural data to personalise experiences and grow loyalty.
- Platform expansion, through strategic partnerships or proprietary digital platforms.
- Tech innovation, applied to advertising, ticketing, and athlete performance.
- Operational efficiency, aimed at modernising business models and streamlining costs.
“What distinguishes the Middle East is its forward-looking approach,” said Mohamed Hashem, Partner and Sports Lead for MEA at Kearney. “Rather than replicating Western models, countries across the region are testing new frameworks that align sport with broader economic and societal ambitions.”
Hashem pointed to flagship projects such as Riyadh’s Sports Boulevard, Qatar’s integrated World Cup infrastructure, and the UAE’s digital fan ecosystems as examples of this transformation in action.
