Saudi Gazette report

PHILADELPHIA — Universal Studios is in the early planning stages of developing a new theme park in Saudi Arabia, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The project, being explored by Universal Studios parent company Comcast, is currently in the initial concept phase and has not yet been approved for construction.

The proposed park is expected to be part of Qiddiya, the large-scale entertainment, sports and tourism destination located southwest of Riyadh. No official timeline has been announced, though completion would likely be targeted for the 2030s.

Comcast Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts recently visited Saudi Arabia to attend an investment conference and toured Qiddiya, which is widely seen as a potential location for the project.

“Universal Studios is in the early planning stages of building a new theme park in Saudi Arabia,” Roberts was quoted as saying.

“The project is currently in initial concept work, not yet finalized or under construction… Qiddiya could be the location for such a park.”

At this stage, it remains unclear which Universal franchises, attractions or rides would be included, as the project has not advanced beyond conceptual development.

The potential entry of Universal Studios reflects rising interest from major global entertainment brands in Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom accelerates investment in leisure, tourism and cultural infrastructure under Vision 2030, its national strategy to diversify the economy away from oil.

Saudi Arabia is already developing several large-scale entertainment destinations, including Six Flags Qiddiya City, the Kingdom’s first theme park, which is scheduled to open in Riyadh on December 31, 2025.

Tourism in Saudi Arabia has surged in recent years, with more than 100 million visitors recorded in 2024, including around 30 million international tourists. Preliminary figures for 2025 indicate continued growth, with approximately 60.9 million visitors in the first half of the year alone.