Sport in Saudi Arabia

Overview

Sport plays a prominent role in Saudi Arabia, and the Kingdom has invested heavily in the sector under Vision 2030. Football is the most popular sport, followed by motorsport, athletics and traditional sports.

Football

Football is the national passion. The Saudi Pro League is one of the strongest in Asia, and the national team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup on several occasions, most memorably defeating Argentina in 2022.

Motorsport and events

The Kingdom hosts the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Formula 1, the Dakar Rally and a range of other international sporting events, including boxing, tennis and golf.

Traditional sports

Traditional sports include camel racing, falconry and horse racing, which are celebrated at festivals such as the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival.

References

1. Sport in Saudi Arabia \u2014 Saudi Ministry of Sport (accessed 5 October 2026)
2. Saudi Arabia and world football \u2014 FIFA (accessed 5 October 2026)