Qiddiya City is a major new destination under development near Riyadh, designed around entertainment, sports and culture. Positioned as the world’s first city built for play, it is planned as a place to live, work, shop and explore, bringing together leisure attractions, sports venues, cultural assets and residential neighbourhoods in one large-scale destination.
Location & Access
Qiddiya City is located approximately 45 km from downtown Riyadh and around 70 km from King Khalid International Airport. The destination is being connected to the capital through Riyadh’s public transport network and a major highway, with 8 metro stations planned within Qiddiya City. The site is also described by Qiddiya as being set against the Tuwaiq Mountains, adding to its distinctive natural setting.
Scale of the Destination
Qiddiya City spans more than 360 sq km and will include over 20 neighbourhoods. According to Qiddiya, it is planned to accommodate more than 500,000 residents at scale while also welcoming millions of visits annually. The city’s masterplan places a strong emphasis on accessibility, wellbeing and public realm, with the destination designed to be 100% walkable and 20% of the total area devoted to public spaces.
Attractions & Experiences
Qiddiya’s future tourism offer is extensive. The official site highlights 400 attractions, 275 rides, 12 theme parks, 2,000 art installations, 43 sports facilities and 73,000 seats across multiple sports venues for esports events. The destination is structured around three main pillars: entertainment, sports and culture.
Key Attractions
Featured attractions on the Qiddiya site include Six Flags Qiddiya City, with 28 rides and attractions including record-breaking coaster Falcon’s Flight; Aquarabia Qiddiya City, described as Saudi Arabia’s first-of-its-kind water theme park with 22 rides and experiences across 8 themed zones and 81 private cabanas; the Gaming & Esports District; Speed Park Track; Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium; Qiddiya City Golf Course; Mercedes-AMG World of Performance; Horse Racing Venue; Performing Arts Centre Qiddiya City; and PlayMaker Studios, a purpose-built film production hub.
Living, Education & Healthcare
Beyond visitor experiences, Qiddiya City is planned as a full mixed-use city. Residential options will range from apartments and townhouses to villas and branded residences. The city is also set to include more than 30 educational institutions, schools and nurseries, along with healthcare infrastructure including 3 general hospitals and 4 specialised clinics. Retail, dining and entertainment are intended to extend across every neighbourhood.
Sustainability
Qiddiya states that sustainability and wellbeing are integral to the city’s urban plan. Its official messaging also highlights renewable energy initiatives, conservation efforts and ecotourism opportunities as part of its longer-term vision.
