Qiddiya expands sports masterplan, the National Tennis Centre and Qiddiya City Golf Course
Both projects represent Qiddiya City’s approach to creating an integrated sports destination that serves elite competition and the wider community
Following the launch of its flagship entertainment assets, including Six Flags Qiddiya City and Aquarabia, Qiddiya City is progressing with the construction of its primary sports masterplan. Located 45km southwest of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s entertainment, sports, and cultural hub is said to be making strides in developing 2-key athletic destinations: the National Tennis Centre and the Qiddiya City Golf Course.
These adjacent projects are being designed to expand Saudi Arabia’s sports ecosystem, and will combine international venue standards, high-performance athlete training facilities, and integrated community amenities, said a statement.
Designed by the sports architecture firm Populous, the National Tennis Centre complex will boast a total of 30 tennis courts, comprising 28 hard courts and 2-clay courts. Th facility will offer seating capacity of 33,000 across the entire site. Each court is being constructed to meet the stringent requirements of the ATP, WTA, and ITF, ensuring a high standard of play. At the heart of this venue lies the Centre Court, a 15,000-seat equipped with a retractable roof. This court will serve as the primary venue for hosting major international tennis events, while also providing ample space for other sporting and entertainment activities.
The spectator infrastructure of the National Tennis Centre will feature a variety of courts and facilities. Court 1, with its 5,000 seats, and Court 2, with its 2,000 seats, cater to the needs of tennis enthusiasts. Additionally, 6-dedicated outdoor match courts offer 450 seats each, providing a unique experience for spectators. Complementing the primary tennis arenas is Court 3, an 8,000 seat multi-use indoor arena with a retractable roof. This venue will accommodate a wide range of sports, concerts, and large-scale events, the statement explained.
Beyond the tennis courts, the National Tennis Centre development will include a comprehensive range of facilities: 6-competition courts, 6-indoor courts, and 14 practice courts are being developed throughout the complex, ensuring that players have access to the necessary facilities for training and development. A dedicated High-Performance Training Centre is also a key feature of the development. This state-of-the-art facility will offer a range of training, recovery, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and wellness services, all designed to support the development of Saudi tennis talent at the highest level. Beyond professional competition, the National Tennis Centre will offer community tennis programmes, public spaces and fan experiences, supporting participation in the sport at all levels.
Designed to integrate with Qiddiya City’s distinctive setting, the the National Tennis Centre incorporates layered green facades to blend its structural footprint into the surrounding mountain cliffside, creating a destination that brings together professional sport, community activity and year-round entertainment.
Positioned adjacent to the tennis complex, the 18 hole championship course designed by Sir Nick Faldo is rapidly nearing completion towards its scheduled opening later in 2026. Set within the landscape of the Tuwaiq Mountains, the course capitalises on the local topography and has been designed to provide a golfing experience while welcoming players across different levels of the sport, from both beginners to professionals, the statement explained.
The wider scheme comprises a clubhouse, a full-service golf academy, a driving range, and dedicated leisure, fitness and wellness spaces. Through Qiddiya City’s global partnership with the Faldo Series, the venue will actively support the development of young golfers and create further opportunities for the next generation of Saudi players, it added.
Together, the National Tennis Centre and Qiddiya City Golf Course represent Qiddiya City’s approach to creating an integrated sports destination that serves both elite competition and the wider community. The developments will contribute to the Kingdom’s growing sports infrastructure, while creating new opportunities for participation, athlete development, international events and sports tourism, reinforcing Qiddiya City’s role as a destination for entertainment, sports and culture.
Qiddiya City will feature homes, retail, offices, hotels, schools, and hospitals, ensuring a destination where people live, work, play, have access to the best sports, entertainment, and cultural experiences. It will be connected by public transport, including the upcoming Qiddiya High-Speed Rail. This rail service will connect to King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in just 17 minutes and to the future King Salman International Airport in 30 minutes, the statement concluded.
