Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has signed two historic strategic partnerships with Riyadh-based sports clubs, Al-Nassr Football Club (FC) and Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club (SFC). The 20-year strategic partnership is valued at SAR 100 million per club per year making it the largest in the history of both clubs and one of the largest in the region. The partnership will run from 2022-2042 and will be subject to review every five years.
The strategic partnership includes several benefits for both clubs as well as Qiddiya and will open new horizons in sports investment in Asia, specifically the Middle East, further establishing Qiddiya as the future Capital of Entertainment, Sports & Culture.
Qiddiya’s planned cliff-top 40,000+ seat stadium, once complete, will eventually become the new venue for home games for both teams and the full range of sporting facilities being developed will be made available for both clubs.
The Stadium is a flagship element of Qiddiya’s strategy to become a global center of sporting excellence and its complex will include corporate hospitality lounges and VIP and VVIPs seats. Sports fans will be able to enjoy and savor the amazing view of Qiddiya’s Resort Core from every seat to complement the quality on field action.
The pioneering agreements were formally signed between Qiddiya’s Managing Director, Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood and Al-Nassr FC’s Chairman, Musalli AlMuammar and Al-Hilal SFC’s Chairman, Fahad bin Nafal at a ceremony held at the Qiddiya Experience Center. Senior officials from these two giants of Saudi football also attended the ceremony.
Commenting on the partnership, Aldawood said: “This strategic partnership is in line with Qiddiya’s strategy to contribute to the development of the wider sports industry in Saudi Arabia and is another important step towards our aim of building and developing Qiddiya as a formidable sports hub that is the home of local, regional and international competitions. There will be numerous benefits for the club including the use of our state-of-the-art facilities to train and become world champions across a wide range of sports in addition to football.
“Both Al-Nassr and Al Hilal are set to play their home games at Qiddiya’s world-class venues, including the incredible new cliff-top Stadium, once construction is complete. The clubs’ fans will gain an entirely new experience as they will have access to the entertainment and sports facilities and venues around the Stadium. They will be inspired to pursue their own sporting dreams which will ultimately boost the sports industry’s contribution to the country’s GDP.”
Qiddiya’s offering will be based on five cornerstones: Parks & Attractions, Sports & Wellness, Arts & Culture, Motion & Mobility and Nature & Environment, along with a variety of real estate options and community services. The Stadium will be a key attraction of the Sports & Wellness cornerstone.
COMMENTS