LONDON: The upcoming ladies golf tournaments in Saudi Arabia are set to break even more ground this week – becoming the first international women-only sports events held within the Kingdom to be broadcast live across the country.

Coverage of this week’s $1 million Aramco Saudi Ladies International, being played November 12-15, and the Saudi Ladies Team International on November 17-19, will also be broadcast to 350 million households in 60 countries worldwide.

The tournament marks the first time a Saudi-held international women’s elite sporting competition will be beamed nationwide.

Due to restrictions to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), no spectators will be present on the course at the Ladies European Tour events in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), but fans will have a number of ways to witness the inaugural event through international broadcasters and a range of behind-the-scenes content from the tournament’s digital channels.

There will be 14 different global broadcasters across MENA, Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australasia showcasing the tournament from Saudi Arabia’s premier championship course, Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

KSA Sports and Dubai Sports Channels will each be showing 21 hours of live coverage for the tournaments in Saudi Arabia and across the region.

The events, presented by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, take women’s golf into another new territory and will see 108 players, including some of Europe’s elite players, compete for what will be the LET season’s biggest purse after only the British and Scottish Open.

Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of both Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, said: “Broadcasting the first women’s professional tournaments in Saudi Arabia across the world is another hugely significant milestone for golf in this country. We would have loved spectators to attend again, but millions across the globe will have the chance to witness some of the best players on the planet from a world class golfing venue.

“Thanks to the support of our broadcast partners and in-depth coverage and content across our social media channels we have a chance to show the world Saudi Arabia is open and transforming through this great sport – truly inspiring a new generation for years to come,” he added.

The events will be Saudi Arabia’s third and fourth professional golf tournaments in less than two years that has welcomed the best players from across the globe. The country held the debut Saudi International in 2019, with Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell winning 2020’s hosting in January.

Together, the events mark the return of huge international sporting events to the Kingdom, something Saudi Arabia has looked to do more in recent years as it aims to inspire its next generation under the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030.