Something extraordinary is taking shape in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s desert and we can’t wait for its completion! Set against the backdrop of the Tuwaiq Mountains, Qiddiya City is fast becoming a new global hub for entertainment, sports, and creativity, a place where ambition meets imagination. From hydrogen-fuelled motorsport and record-breaking theme park rides to esports arenas and immersive art, Qiddiya is redefining what leisure and culture can look like in the Kingdom.
A new era of motorsport
The world got an early glimpse of Qiddiya’s energy with the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup, the first-ever hydrogen-powered motorsport event sanctioned by the FIA. Held at the soon-to-be motorsport capital, the competition brought together eight international teams in a three-day showdown.
Driving for Saudi Arabia’s Jameel Motorsport, Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor clinched victory in this historic debut. Their win marked a milestone not just for the team, but for the sport itself showcasing how zero-emission racing can deliver world-class performance.
Record-breaking thrills on the horizon
Later this year, visitors can expect another first when Six Flags Qiddiya City opens its gates. Its headline attraction, the Falcon’s Flight roller coaster, is being hailed as the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest ride. The coaster will reach speeds of up to 155 mph, is over 600ft high and will plunge over a 519ft drop.
Construction is nearing completion, and test runs are already underway. Once open, Falcon’s Flight is set to redefine the thrill ride experience, a symbol of Qiddiya’s larger ambition to push boundaries in entertainment and engineering alike.
The next level of play
Beyond motorsport and theme parks, Qiddiya is also positioning itself as the global capital of gaming and esports. Following the Public Investment Fund’s $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA), Qiddiya hosted the world’s first Esports and Gaming District, a dedicated hub for competitive gaming, development studios, and digital innovation, as well as the 2025 Olympic Esports Games.
This move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which aims to develop 250 homegrown games, create 38,000 jobs, and generate $13 billion for the economy by 2030. Qiddiya’s role in this landscape is to inspire creativity and provide world-class facilities for both local talent and international visitors.
A destination of imagination
Qiddiya is also set to nurture culture and the arts, with plans for immersive installations, live performances, and creative experiences that blend technology, design, and Saudi heritage. The city’s vision is to become a space where innovation and culture intersect, a destination built not just for entertainment, but for inspiration.
As Qiddiya moves closer to its public debut, it sure is exciting for all of us to get a glimpse into the Kingdom’s future that’s bold, innovative, and ready to play.
