Middle East Sports Investment Forum concludes 2nd day with financing announcements

The Middle East Sports Investment Forum is a strategic platform for connecting investors and decision-makers. SPA
Short Url
Updated 29 January 2026
Follow

Middle East Sports Investment Forum concludes 2nd day with financing announcements

RIYADH: The Middle East Sports Investment Forum, in partnership with the Ministry of Investment, the Ministry of Sports, and Sela Co., a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, and with the support of Invest in Saudi Arabia, concluded its second day at the Kingdom Arena with the announcement of a package of strategic investments and partnerships.

These initiatives reflect the rapid growth of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia and underscore its increasing attractiveness to local and international investors.

The second day witnessed the announcement of several strategic agreements and alliances across various fields. 

Among the most prominent was the launch of specialized industrial investments in manufacturing components for sports stadium infrastructure. This will contribute to localizing supply chains and enhancing local content within the sports sector.

Partnerships in the field of sports medicine were also announced during the forum. These aim to transfer advanced medical expertise, develop healthcare services for athletes, and improve the efficiency of the healthcare system supporting the sports sector in the Kingdom.

The announcements also included collaboration in the field of temporary sports facilities and construction to support the Kingdom’s readiness to host major sporting events and championships and elevate the efficiency of the sector’s resilient infrastructure. 

The partnerships also seek to invest in sports technology, including digital solutions, performance analytics, and technological innovation, as well as expanding sports marketing, supporting clubs and events, and building sports brands.

The forum also included the formation of strategic alliances to develop specialized programs in a number of diverse sports, contributing to broadening the base of participants, raising the level of professionalism, and developing sporting talent. 

Participants affirmed that these announcements reflect the high confidence in the Saudi sports market and the Kingdom’s growing role as a regional and global hub for sports investment, supported by its advanced infrastructure, market size, and the diverse opportunities offered by Vision 2030. 

The Middle East Sports Investment Forum is a strategic platform for connecting investors and decision-makers, stimulating long-term partnerships, and accelerating the growth of the sports economy in the Kingdom and the region. 


Oman airport passenger traffic rises 2.8% in 2025 

Updated 12 sec ago
Follow

Oman airport passenger traffic rises 2.8% in 2025 

RIYADH: Passenger traffic through airports in Oman increased by 2.8 percent in 2025, reaching 14.9 million travelers by the end of December, up from 14.5 million passengers a year earlier, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information and reported by Oman News Agency.

Despite the rise in passenger volumes, total flight movements across the country’s airports declined by 2.8 percent to 104,510 flights in 2025, compared with 107,546 flights during the same period in 2024, indicating higher load factors and network optimization by airlines.

At Muscat International Airport, international flights fell by 4.5 percent to 82,913 in 2025 from 86,797 a year earlier. Nevertheless, international passenger numbers rose by 1.3 percent to 11.8 million, compared with 11.6 million in 2024. Domestic activity at Muscat showed stronger momentum, with flights increasing 6.6 percent to 9,606 from 9,009, while domestic passenger numbers climbed 12 percent to 1.3 million, up from 1.1 million.

At Salalah Airport, international flights declined 2.4 percent to 4,886 in 2025, compared with 5,008 in 2024. International passenger numbers remained broadly stable at 678,591, slightly higher than 678,402 a year earlier. Domestic operations recorded robust growth, with flights rising 14.3 percent to 6,227 from 5,450 and passenger numbers increasing 17.7 percent to 1,023,529, up from 869,954.

Sohar Airport saw a sharp contraction in international traffic, as flights dropped 77.8 percent to 110 in 2025 from 495 in 2024. International passenger numbers plunged 99.1 percent to 390 travelers, compared with 44,897 a year earlier. Domestic flights at Sohar declined 9.1 percent to 150 from 165, while passenger numbers fell 21.8 percent to 18,247, down from 23,331.

At Duqm Airport, domestic flights edged down 0.6 percent to 618 in 2025 from 622 in 2024. Passenger numbers slipped marginally by 0.4 percent to 60,893, compared with 61,137 the previous year.

Overall, the figures reflect steady growth in passenger demand across Oman’s main airports, driven largely by domestic travel, even as airlines reduced flight frequencies during the year.