Goodbye Paris, hello desert: Saudi wants to host Summer Olympics

Saudi Arabia has signalled it could make a bid for the Olympic Games, which would likely be held shortly after it is set to host the World Cup.

Prince Faisal Bandar Sultan Al-Saud, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, told reporters at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh that the kingdom could be ready to host the real-life Summer Olympics in the coming years.

Riyadh has not only boosted its international profile via hosting Egames championships but also other top sporting events such as the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the 2029 Asian Winter Games, and most spectacularly the 2034 World Cup.

“We as a country are setting up for doing more and more, and I think the Olympics is a logical step,” said Prince Faisal Bandar Sultan Al Saud, according to Bloomberg. “But, when we are ready.”

Although he did not mention which Summer Olympics Riyadh might bid for, the process for hosting the 2034 Olympics has started.

Among the countries who have confirmed bids for the games are Turkey, Indonesia, India and Chile, while Egypt is also expected to put its name forward.

Qatar is another Arab country linked to these games, although Doha is still to confirm a formal bid.

Saudi Arabia has been accused of using high-profile events, such as the Summer Olympics, to 'sports wash' its human rights record, but the kingdom is keen to boost its global image to attract tourists and investment, divest its economy away from oil and gas toward the service sector, and encourage its population to get active or provide entertainment to the youth.

Egames has been a key target of the Saudi authorities making the kingdom one of the global epicentres of online gaming.

The $60 million prize pot for the first-ever Esports World Cup Riyadh is hosting this week is a testament to the strength and scale of this industry, with gaming hugely popular among the Saudi youth.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman has unveiled a host of ambitious new plans for the kingdom, centred around Vision 2030, mostly aimed at diversifying the economy away from fossil fuels with entertainment and a key part of this project.

Saudi Arabia is almost certain to be the venue of the 2032 World Cup, following the successful hosting of the 2022 football championship by neighbouring Qatar.