Saudi Arabia could well be looking at hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, just two years after possibly hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Prince Faisal Bandar Sultan Al Saud, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying: “We as a country are setting up for doing more and more, and I think the Olympics is a logical step. But, when we are ready.”
The Prince was speaking during the closing ceremony for the inaugural Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia has bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and is the sole bidder so far when the submission closed on 31 July, 2024.
With the Kingdom planning to host the World Cup across five cities and building 15 modern stadiums for the occasion, experts believe they will be the most infrastructure-ready country for the 2036 Olympic Games.
And Prince Faisal has close ties with the International Olympic Council (IOC), with Saudi Arabia winning the right to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025. Riyadh clinched a 12-year deal with the IOC in July to host that event. The Saudis are also due to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029.
A large Saudi official delegation was present at the Paris Olympics earlier this year to observe the conduct of a mega event ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
While the 2034 FIFA World Cup is as good as decided in Saudi Arabia’s favour without any opposition, securing the 2036 Olympics will not be easy. Countries like Qatar, India and Turkiye have already announced their intention to bid for the hosting rights.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 includes sports, entertainment and tourism as major pillars in diversifying the nation’s economy, which depends heavily on oil.
Saudi Arabia’s Olympic Committee did not immediately respond to Bloomsberg’s request for comment.
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