中东体育产业展望

ForewordThe Middle East's sports industry is in an exciting,transformative phase, reshaping the regional and globalsporting landscape. From Qatar's successful hosting of theMen's 2022 FIFA World Cup to Saudi Arabia's selection ashost of the 2034 tournament, the region continues to makebold strides in establishing itself as a premier destination formajor sporting events.This outlook report explores how the Middle East’s sportssector is evolving across seven key pillars, from governmentinitiatives and private investment to emerging opportunitiesin women's sports and technological innovation. Ouranalysis reveals a sports ecosystem that is rapidly maturing,driven by strategic national visions, substantial infrastructuredevelopment and innovative approaches to fanengagement.The region's sports market is projected to grow at animpressive rate of 8.7% over the next three to five years,outpacing the global average of 7.3%. This growth will befuelled by significant investments in premium sportsproperties and infrastructure, alongside ambitious initiativesto increase grassroots participation and develop localtalent.Looking ahead, the region's sports sector faces bothopportunities and challenges as it balances commercialgrowth with sustainable development. Through this report,we aim to provide stakeholders with strategic insights intothe trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the futureof sports in the region.1 State of thesports industry As part of their national agenda to achieve economic diversification,countries in the Middle East have increased their investments in thesports sector that has led to a rapidly maturing sports ecosystem. Thereis a growing emphasis on diversifying sporting offerings, embeddingsustainable development practices and leveraging technology toenhance global competitiveness. The sector is already a US $600billionindustry in the Middle East and it is set to grow by8.7% by2026.Saudi Arabia’s Vision2030, for example, reflects the region’s ambition toposition sports as a key driver of economic and social growth, withexpected growth from $8billion to $22.4billion by2030. This trajectoryis supported by comprehensive development across traditional andemerging sports domains, supported by grassroots and elite-levelprogrammes.Market overview and strategic developmentThe region's commitment to sports development is evident in itssubstantial infrastructure investments.Saudi Arabiais preparing for the2034 FIFA World Cup with plans to develop a total of 15 environmentallyfriendly stadiums. Of these,11will be newly built and4 renovated acrossmajor cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, and other key locations, as part ofits wider development initiatives.4Qatarcontinues to leverage itspost-World Cup momentum through strategically bidding for, andhosting, major sporting events such as the FIFA Arab Cup in2025,20292033, FIFA U17 World Cup in 2025 through 2029and the Web Summit for2024 through 2028.5TheUAEis creating the region's first indoorvelodrome and the world's largest wave pool.6These projects prioritise renewable energy, water conservation and smarttechnologies, setting new standards for sustainable sports developmentand underpinning the region’s capacity to host world-class events andattract international audiences.The region increasingly embraces digital innovation in sports, withinvestments in smart stadium technology, fan engagement platforms, andEsports infrastructure. Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and EsportsSector Strategy aims to develop the entire gaming and Esports valuechain, create 39,000 jobs, and contribute US$13.3billion to theKingdom's GDP by2030.7The integration of digital technologies extends beyond Esports,enhancing traditional sports experiences from match-day activities toyear-round fan engagement. This reflects the region’s intent to leveragetechnology as a cornerstone of its sports development strategy.Infrastructure and technology 23 Formula 1's expansion in the Middle East demonstrates the region'sgrowing prominence in global sports. The Bahrain Grand Prix has beenheld 20times and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix15times, with Saudi Arabiaand Qatar also successfully establishing their own races. Additionally,combat sports have gained traction, with the UAE hosting over five UFCevents since 2021and Saudi Arabia hosting more than seven majorboxing events. This diversification helps attract international audiencesand positions the region as a year-round sporting destination.Global sporting hubThese foundational efforts, from infrastructure development tostrategic diversification, not only position the Middle East as a globalsports hub but also create fertile ground for innovative technologiesand transformative investments. This sets the stage for the criticalrole governments play in shaping this growth.PwC perspectiveMushtaq Al Waeli,Senior Executive Advisor, PwC Middle EastThe sports industry in the Middle East istransforming, boosting economic growththrough strategic investments in