The desert offers ample space and a dramatic backdrop for a new entertainment metropolis, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, is planning just that. Officials have announced a major development intended to create a city focused on gaming, luxury accommodation and large-scale leisure attractions—an entertainment hub inspired in part by Las Vegas.
Planners have allocated roughly 129 square miles for the development, with construction set to begin in early 2018 and the first phase targeted for completion by 2022. The master plan envisions an integrated destination featuring casinos and high-end hotels alongside family attractions such as a Six Flags theme park and a safari park, creating a varied entertainment mix to appeal to both domestic and international visitors.
The initiative forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader economic strategy to reduce dependence on oil revenues by expanding other sectors, particularly tourism and entertainment, as outlined in the country’s Vision 2030 goals. By building large-scale attractions and hospitality capacity, the project aims to generate thousands of jobs and stimulate growth in related industries including retail, dining, transportation and services.
Beyond direct employment, the development is expected to support downstream benefits: increased visitor spending, new investment opportunities and a more diversified economic base. The inclusion of family-oriented venues like theme parks and wildlife attractions signals an effort to create a destination that caters to a wide range of visitors rather than focusing solely on gaming.
As with any major urban and leisure project, success will depend on careful planning, regulatory clarity and effective integration with infrastructure such as roads, airports and public services. If realized on schedule, the new entertainment city could become a prominent regional destination and a notable element of the kingdom’s long-term economic transformation.