Middle East Investment Driving Sports Industry To $600bn Valuation By 2030

The Middle East is fast emerging as a global sporting powerhouse, driving growth through a range of strategic investments in an industry that is projected to top $600bn worldwide by 2030 according to new insights published by leading consultancy firm, Kearney. Central to the region’s strategy has been esports, with $38bn invested by Saudi Arabia alone, and women’s sports which have received a 150% increase in funding year-on-year across the region.

Saudi Arabia is leading the charge on esports. Through Savvy Games Group, backed by the Public Investment Fund, the Kingdom has committed to building an end-to-end gaming ecosystem that includes tournament hosting, game publishing, talent development and elite infrastructure. The $38 billion being deployed will fund key acquisitions, such as ESL, FACEIT and Scopely, while also launching new ventures like Steer Studios to solidify Saudi Arabia’s status as a global hub for competitive gaming.

This vision is already being realised through landmark events like the Esports World Cup, which debuted in Riyadh in 2024 and returns in 2025 with a record-breaking $70 million prize pool. Saudi Arabia’s ambition is not just to attract international attention, but to embed gaming into its broader Vision 2030 agenda, leveraging esports to drive youth engagement, digital innovation and economic diversification.

At the same time, the region is rapidly scaling investment in women’s sport, which has seen a 150% year-on-year increase in funding. This includes new professional women’s leagues in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, as well as expanded athlete development pathways and increased media coverage. The surge is driven by both social reforms, especially in gender inclusion and the commercial upside of capturing a previously underserved segment of fans and sponsors.

Kearney’s analysis identifies five key pillars behind the Middle East’s sports strategy: commercial excellence, fan engagement, platform expansion, technological innovation and operational efficiency. Notably, the region is not simply importing Western sports models, it is developing its hybrid structures, designed to align with local values while appealing to global audiences.

The UAE, Qatar and Bahrain are also contributing to this momentum, particularly through investments in mixed-gender events, regional competitions and next-generation digital platforms. As the Middle East seeks to redefine its global image through sports, esports and women’s sports stand out as high-growth, future-facing opportunities.