Sports Boulevard

The Sports Boulevard is a large-scale linear park located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with world-leading sporting, cultural and entertainment facilities. The project aims to transform the capital into one of the world’s most livable cities by creating the world’s largest linear green park.¹
Its objectives include promoting a healthy lifestyle among residents and visitors, encouraging physical exercise and active participation in various sports activities, and enhancing the quality of the built environment through a wide range of green spaces and accessible public areas in the city.^{2 3} The Sports Boulevard is one of the development projects within Saudi Vision 2030,^{i 4} which aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy. It is also a key component of the ‘Quality of Life’ Programme⁵ outlined in this Vision.⁶

To implement the project’s objectives, a master plan was proposed that extends over 135 kilometers⁷ with a total area of 4.4 square kilometers,⁸ passing through the city and linking Hanifah Valley in the West to Al Sulai Valley in the East.⁹ The boulevard includes 0.17 square kilometers dedicated to arts and cultural venues, 2.3 square kilometers of private development, and over 13 square kilometers for conservation and recreation park space.¹⁰ It also features nearly 4.2 square kilometers of new public open space integrated throughout the project, specifically 220 kilometers of cycling tracks, 134 kilometers of horse trails, and 135 kilometers of walking paths,¹¹ fostering healthy connections and facilitating movement across Riyadh.¹²

In specific, the master plan of the boulevard comprises eight districts, each offering distinct experiences linked through public spaces, pathways, and landmarks as follows:¹³

• Hanifah Valley Zone: spans 30 kilometers from Al Olab Dam in historical Diyriah to Al Madina Al Monawara Road, featuring dedicated routes for cyclists, pedestrians, and horse riders. This zone includes the natural reserve, seven stops along the valley, a bike maintenance center, and various leisure and retail shops.¹⁴
• Arts District: extends 3 kilometers from King Khalid Road (West) and features cultural, art, and recreational facilities, including museums, libraries, and conference halls. This district also incorporates pedestrian, cycling, horse-riding paths and spaces designated for investment opportunities.¹⁵
• Urban Wadi Zone: spans 3.5 kilometers along Al Aysen Valley, from Suwaid bin Harthah Road to King Fahad Road, featuring a water canal and connecting to King Abdullah Financial District via an elevated road. This zone incorporates green spaces, pedestrian and bike paths, and potential investment spaces.¹⁶
• Entertainment District: spans 4 kilometers between King Fahad Road and Othman bin Affan Road, features a 40 km viaduct for professional cyclists, an at-grade track for amateurs, and various entertainment venues, including theaters, cinemas, and event sites. This zone also incorporates parks and gardens with cooling systems alongside business, residential, and commercial areas for potential investors.¹⁷
• Athletics District: Extending from Othman bin Affan Road to Airport Road in the east, covering a distance of 5 kilometers. The Sports Zone encompasses 60 sports facilities, including 16 football pitches, 18 covered courts for basketball and tennis, 12 courts for volleyball, and a venue for skiing.¹⁸
• Environmental Zone: Stretching 14 kilometers along Al Sulai Valley, it features cycling routes for professionals and amateurs, as well as pedestrian and jogging tracks connecting to nearby neighborhoods. This area includes educational centers for environmental sustainability, residential complexes, retail outlets, and organic food production and seed development facilities.¹⁹
• Al Sulai Valley Zone: It spans 53 kilometers from King Fahad Stadium to Binban Park, offering routes for professional cycling, horse riding, and pedestrian pathways. This zone includes 15 stations with amenities such as coffee shops, retail outlets, a bike maintenance center, picnicking and camping areas.²⁰
• Red Sand Park: It covers over 20,000 square kilometers and features a rural resort, a 5 square kilometer zoo, and a distinctive flower-shaped cycling track, along with professional cycling paths and an equestrian center. This expansive park offers diverse recreational facilities, including a visitor center and rest areas for cyclists.²¹

The boulevard incorporates virtual reality (VR) tools and researchers to help residents and promote lifestyle changes. In terms of accessibility, the Sports Boulevard is within walking distance of 16 percent of Riyadh’s population and connects directly to three major Metro stations. Environmentally, 170,000 trees will be planted, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.

King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud launched the project in March 2019²² with an estimated $533 million funded by Sports Boulevard Real Estate fund.²³ It is supervised and operated by the Sports Boulevard Foundation, established in 2020,²⁴ with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as its Chairman.²⁵ The master plan was designed by Coen and Partners.²⁶

The project has been under implementation since 2021,²⁷ with a series of phased openings planned from 2024 to 2028.²⁸ The first publicly accessible features of the development, the Cycling Bridge and Promenade, are scheduled for completion early next year.²⁹
The Global Sports Tower will be constructed, providing residents with opportunities to participate in various sports such as cycling, running, hiking, skateboarding, sand volleyball, and horse riding.³⁰ Additionally, advancements are occurring in developing various districts within the project, such as the King Khalid Road Underpass, King Abdulaziz Road Underpass, the Urban Wadi, and the Sands Sports Park.³¹ It is worth noting that in December 2023, the Sports Boulevard initiated a strategic collaboration with Ajdan Real Estate Development and Al Bilad Investment Fund to support a mixed-use project within the Art District financially.³²