Riyadh Season 2025-26: What’s New & How to Experience Saudi Arabia’s Ultimate Cultural Extravaganza

Saudi Arabia has made global headlines again with the latest edition of Riyadh Season 2025-26, positioning its capital as a booming cultural, sports, and entertainment hub. Aligned with the Vision 2030 plan, this edition promises larger, more ambitious events, new collaborations, and immersive experiences.

Whether you’re a sports fan, music lover, foodie, family traveller or simply curious—this season has something for everyone. Here’s what’s new, and how to get the best out of it.

What’s New for 2025-26

1.Bigger & More Diverse Event Lineup

Riyadh Comedy Festival (26 Sept – 9 Oct 2025): The first‐ever dedicated comedy festival under the Riyadh Season banner. Over 50 world-renowned comedians are expected to attend, bringing stand-up, sketch, improv, satire etc., to Boulevard City and ANB Arena
WWE Royal Rumble (Jan 2026): For the first time, the Royal Rumble will be held outside the United States. Wrestling fans will have a chance to see the action live at Kingdom Arena.
MDLBEAST Soundstorm (11–13 Dec 2025) returns, likely with an even stronger roster and production scale.
Six Kings Slam: A high-profile tennis event featuring six top stars competing across several days.
International and regional sports, shows, film productions, and gaming also figure prominently. The entertainment authority has teased collaborations with global creators (e.g. MrBeast), major film and TV projects, and more cultural content from the Gulf and wider Arab world.

2. New Zones, Upgraded Venues & Immersive Spaces

ANB Arena: The repurposed “Venue” now renamed ANB Arena, is a major centre for large performances and major show events. It’s going to be one of the main stages in Boulevard City and will host several headline events.
Zones & Installations: Immersive and themed zones continue to expand—Boulevard City, Boulevard World, Winter Wonderland, Groves, ANB Arena etc. Each offers different flavours: family-friendly rides, food festivals, art installations, cultural showcases.
Cultural & Culinary Expansion: Expect more global cuisine, more street food + fine dining mashups, art & installations (including in zones like AlMurabaa), and collaborative projects that blend international and Saudi/Gulf heritage.

3. Royal Rumble outside USA.

Partnerships with celebrities/content creators like MrBeast.
Film & TV productions in English and international scale (epics, dramas, etc.).
The season is being used as a platform to showcase Saudi artists and regional talent too. More Arabic / Gulf content is being given prominence.

4. How to Experience Riyadh Season to the Fullest

If you plan to attend (or are thinking of traveling to Riyadh for this), here’s a guide to make your trip smooth, enjoyable, and memorable.

Plan Ahead: Dates, Tickets & Travel

The Season typically runs from late September through to early 2026—check event-specific dates. Major events like the Comedy Festival start in late September.
Buy tickets in advance for big shows (royal rumble, concerts, sports). Popular events will sell out. Keep an eye on official Riyadh Season / General Entertainment Authority announcements.
If coming from abroad: book accommodation early especially around major events. Riyadh gets busy. Visa requirements: depending on your nationality check Saudi’s tourist e-visa rules.

Choose Your Zones & Themes

Decide your interests: comedy & theatre? sports? music? food? zones are themed, so you’ll want to cluster your schedule by zone to minimize transit.
Key zones to not miss:

Boulevard City: hub for concerts, large installations, celebrity appearances.
ANB Arena: major shows & sports.
Boulevard World or The World-type zones: offer mini cultural tours, themed food, crafts.
Cultural Zones / AlMurabaa: for art, installations, local cuisine and deeper Saudi heritage.
Winter Wonderland (or similar seasonal amusement zones) if visiting with kids or want leisure rides.

Cultural Sensitivity & Local Norms

Respect local dress norms: while many places are more relaxed now, conservative clothing is still recommended in many public/shared spaces.

Ramadan & religious days: check calendar—timing of events or hours of operation may change.
Behaviour in public: public displays, alcohol, etc., have restrictions. Stay informed.

Getting Around & Staying Comfortable

Transportation: Taxis, ride-hares (Uber, Careem), possibly public transit where available. Traffic will be heavy during big events.
Weather & Best Time: Season is timed with cooler weather (autumn through winter), so evenings are pleasant. Days can still be warm depending on month. Dress in layers, carry sun protection.

Stay hydrated, especially outdoors.

More Than Events: Make It a Cultural Immersion
Try local food: street food stalls, local markets, themed food zones. Don’t just stick to global chains.
Visit historic sites in Riyadh like Al-Murabba, Diriyah, local museums. These give context to the many modern shows.
Engage with local art & music: forums, workshops, smaller exhibitions—these give richer, more authentic experiences.
Shop local: arts & crafts, fashion made in Saudi / Gulf designers. Many zones include booths with local artisans.

Why It Matters: More Than Entertainment

Riyadh Season is not just a festival—it’s an expression of larger socio-economic transformation. Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in diversifying its economy, promoting tourism, boosting cultural industries, opening up socially, and positioning itself as a global hub for entertainment, sport, and culture. Vision 2030 frames many of these initiatives.

For visitors, this means you’re seeing more than just concerts. You’re seeing a nation in flux: how it balances modernity and tradition, how it tells new narratives, and how world cultures mingle in its public spaces.

Challenges & Tips

Crowds & Tickets: Big events will be crowded and expensive. Watch out for resale scams.
Cost: Accommodation, transport, food in premium zones may be pricey. Budget accordingly.
Language & Navigation: While many places have English signage and staff, knowing basic Arabic phrases or having translation apps helps.
<Cultural differences: Be mindful of local customs, especially during religious periods. Research ahead.