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About Qiddiya City:
The Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the development of the National Tennis Centre, a premier facility designed to position Saudi Arabia as a pivotal force in international tennis. This venue will support elite training, encourage grassroots participation, and promote community engagement throughout the year.
Located in Qiddiya City, the country’s center for entertainment, sports, and culture, the National Tennis Centre will stand as the largest of its kind in the region. It is being constructed to meet ATP, WTA, and ITF standards, with the goal of attracting prestigious tennis tournaments. Renowned sports architecture firm Populous is currently spearheading the design and construction process.
For a preview of the centre’s design, a video is available here:https://youtu.be/F3scRGU1hro?si=qM5ja26THHNjQjAX.
This new addition is a critical step in Qiddiya City’s quest to become a leading global hub for sports and entertainment. It aims to motivate future generations to engage in sports actively. The development underscores a commitment to fostering an environment that promotes growth, creativity, and a high standard of living.
The announcement about the National Tennis Centre coincides with the ongoing developments in Qiddiya City, which has recently seen the launch of the Six Flags theme park, Aquarabia—the largest water park in the Middle East—and PlayMaker Studios, a new film production hub.
National Tennis Centre Details
As the premier tennis facility in the region, the National Tennis Centre will feature 30 courts, including 28 hard courts and two clay courts, all seamlessly integrated into the picturesque landscape of Qiddiya City, located just 45 kilometers west of Riyadh. The design incorporates layered green facades that blend harmoniously with the surrounding Tuwaiq Mountains.
This centre will provide state-of-the-art competition infrastructure, elite training and wellness facilities, a vibrant public area, and two multi-purpose arenas equipped with retractable roofs to host concerts and major events beyond tennis. It is also situated next to an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, set to open later this year, along with planned residential, retail, and office developments that will create a city three times the size of Paris.
The National Tennis Centre is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving the goals outlined by the Ministry of Sports, which aims to increase sports participation throughout the Kingdom. It will cater to all levels of tennis, from grassroots initiatives introducing children to the sport to programs designed to enhance the skills of elite Saudi athletes. With its world-class facilities and favorable winter climate, the centre is anticipated to become a top training destination for international players.
Key Facts and Figures of the National Tennis Centre
- 30 total tennis courts (28 hard courts, 2 clay courts)
- Centre Court: 15,000-seat capacity with a retractable roof, designed for international matches and other events.
- Court 1: 5,000 seats
- Court 2: 2,000 seats
- Court 3 (Arena): 8,000 seats, a versatile arena for sports, concerts, and major events, also featuring a retractable roof
- Outdoor match courts: 450 seats each
- 6 competition/match courts; 6 indoor courts; 14 practice courts, including clay surfaces
- Total seating capacity across the centre: 33,000
In this context,HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, highlighted that the establishment of the National Tennis Centre exemplifies the strong backing of the sports sector by the Kingdom’s leadership. He remarked that this facility is essential for promoting tennis in Saudi Arabia, a sport that has garnered considerable popularity among both players and fans.
HRH Prince Abdulaziz further stated: “The centre has the necessary capabilities to host major tournaments and elite players, having been built according to the highest international specifications and standards. This reflects the commitment to developing the tennis ecosystem in the Kingdom, as with other sports, by enhancing infrastructure and programs that support the scouting and development of Saudi talent. These efforts help guide players from the amateur stage to professionalism while contributing to the achievement of the sports objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Abdullah Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, added.
“At Qiddiya City, we believe in the Power of Play; the idea that play, in all its forms, has the ability to transform lives, build communities and inspire generations. The National Tennis Centre demonstrates this philosophy. We are building a world-class home for tennis at every level, where the world’s best players can compete, the next generation of Saudi talent can reach their potential, and families and communities across Saudi Arabia can experience this great sport. The National Tennis Centre is for Saudi Arabia, supporting Vision 2030 by driving sports participation and tourism, and it is open to the world.”
A Future Hub for International Tennis
The National Tennis Centre is meticulously crafted to comply with ATP, WTA, and ITF standards, positioning it among the most sophisticated tennis facilities worldwide. This initiative highlights Saudi Arabia’s ambition to create a lasting and significant footprint in the international tennis domain.
Ross Hutchins, CEO of the ITF, remarked.
“The National Tennis Centre at Qiddiya City is precisely the kind of transformative investment that the ITF has long championed as essential to the sustainable growth of our sport around the world. Quality facilities are the cornerstone of every successful national tennis programme – they create pathways for players, empower coaches, and provide opportunities for people who might otherwise never pick up a racket. We look forward to seeing Qiddiya City working alongside the Saudi Tennis Federation to grow the game in Saudi Arabia.”
Eno Polo, CEO of ATP, expressed.
“The National Tennis Centre at Qiddiya City is a remarkable addition to the global tennis landscape. As the largest tennis facility of its kind in the region, it reflects a bold vision for the future of tennis and a commitment to creating more opportunities for people to engage with our sport, whether as players, fans or members of the wider community. “Facilities of this scale and quality play an important role in the continued growth of tennis. By providing a world-class stage for competition alongside opportunities for participation at all levels, the National Tennis Centre has the potential to make a lasting impact on the sport across the region for years to come.”
“The Saudi Tennis Federation welcomes the launch of the National Tennis Centre at Qiddiya City, which represents an important addition to the Kingdom’s sporting infrastructure and a positive step for the continued growth of tennis in Saudi Arabia. The Federation hopes that the Centre will contribute to increasing participation in the sport, supporting the development of local talent, and inspiring the next generation of Saudi tennis players.”
Mohammed Al Sarrah, President of the Saudi Tennis Federation, remarked.
“The Saudi Tennis Federation welcomes the launch of the National Tennis Centre at Qiddiya City, which represents an important addition to the Kingdom’s sporting infrastructure and a positive step for the continued growth of tennis in Saudi Arabia. The Federation hopes that the Centre will contribute to increasing participation in the sport, supporting the development of local talent, and inspiring the next generation of Saudi tennis players.”
Development of Talent and Community Engagement
High Performance Training Centre:The High Performance Training Centre will cultivate Saudi tennis athletes at the highest level. It will feature a state-of-the-art gym, hydrotherapy and physiotherapy suites, recovery and wellness areas, players’ lounges, changing facilities, and a fully integrated Media Centre with rooms for press conferences and interviews.
Community Tennis and Public Engagement:The National Tennis Centre will serve as a year-round destination for the Saudi public. Community tennis initiatives, open spaces for the public, activated fan zones, a Fan Plaza, and cultural events will ensure the venue is a vibrant part of daily life in Qiddiya City.
Multi-Purpose Use: Beyond Tennis:The Centre Court and 8,000-seat arena, both featuring retractable roofs, will host major concerts, e-sports events, and diverse cultural programming. This aligns with Qiddiya City’s strategy of providing year-round opportunities for sports, entertainment, and cultural experiences.
Qiddiya City: A New Cultural and Entertainment Hub
The National Tennis Centre is one of many landmark projects initiated by Qiddiya Investment Company in Qiddiya City. With a focus on the ‘Power of Play,’ Qiddiya City is already drawing visitors to the record-setting Six Flags theme park and Aquarabia, the largest water park in the Middle East.
Other major projects include PlayMaker Studios, the Speed Park Track, the innovative Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium, a championship golf course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, a dedicated horse racing venue, the world’s first Gaming & Esports District, and the Qiddiya Performing Arts Centre.
Qiddiya City will encompass residential areas, retail spaces, offices, hotels, schools, and healthcare facilities, creating a vibrant destination for living, working, and entertainment.
World-class public transportation will connect Qiddiya City, including a future high-speed rail line that will link it to King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in just 17 minutes and to the forthcoming King Salman International Airport in 30 minutes.
Qiddiya City is the flagship project of Qiddiya Investment Company, located in the Tuwaiq Mountains approximately 40 minutes from Riyadh. It is being developed as a global destination centered on the concept of the “Power of Play,” integrating entertainment, sports, and culture in a unique environment.
The city will offer a premium lifestyle and visitor experience through a wide range of events and activities. It will feature numerous world-class facilities, including a global Gaming & Esports District, a multi-purpose stadium, a championship golf course, and a dedicated motorsports venue with an innovative racetrack. The region’s largest water park, Aquarabia, and the world-record-breaking Six Flags Qiddiya City theme park will also form part of this ambitious development.
Qiddiya City aims to create an integrated ecosystem comprising residential units, retail spaces, offices, hospitality, healthcare, and educational facilities, all designed within a smart, sustainable urban framework that enhances quality of life and positions Qiddiya as a premier destination for living, working, and leisure.
