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With 2034 Saudi World Cup now confirmed, the next 10 years will be an electric period for the kingdom, its football stars and its die hard fan base. To explore the evolving football landscape in Saudi Arabia—including insights into the women’s game, Gen-Z trends, the role of gaming, and plans for 2034—download our new, free report on Saudi Football Fandom  👉 https://lnkd.in/gNj-SSBK The report covers the following topics: The Saudi football fandom landscape Saudi Promise and Vision 2030 The women’s game in Saudi Arabia The Saudi Pro League Fan segmentation The rise of player power Gen-Z and game changers FootballCo now reaches half the adult population in KSA each month and 192M across the MENA region through Kooora / Goal and brands focused on specific audience segments, such as INDIVISA, Yalla GOAL and Yalla Girl.

With the confirmation of the 2034 Saudi World Cup, the next decade promises to be a thrilling era for the Kingdom, its football icons, and its passionate fanbase. Discover how Saudi Arabia's football landscape is evolving—including insights into the rise of women’s football, Gen-Z behaviors, the influence of gaming, and preparations for 2034—by downloading our latest free report on Saudi Football Fandom 👉 https://lnkd.in/gNj-SSBK Key topics covered in the report include: - The Saudi football fandom landscape - Saudi Promise and Vision 2030 - The women’s game in Saudi Arabia - The Saudi Pro League - Fan segmentation - The rise of player power - Gen-Z and game changers FootballCo engages half of the adult population in KSA every month and reaches 192M people across MENA through Kooora, Goal, and audience-focused platforms like INDIVISA, Yalla GOAL, and Yalla Girl.

🔙 This week, Judd Goldstein and Ed Versen spoke to FIFA MAs about the important role their O&O properties play in driving richer fan engagement and retention, and how they can leverage them to unlock new commercial opportunities. For members of the FIFA Digital Skills community - ranging from nations as far and wide as: Italy, Argentina, Uganda, Zambia, Romania, Rwanda, Ecuador plus loads more - Judd and Ed mapped out: 👆 The digital touchpoints MAs have at their disposal to build interactions and engagement 📈 How MAs can deliver a personalised experience for fans to grow retention and loyalty 🏟️ Implementing a fan loyalty and retention strategy and what that looks like in practice #fanengagement #fifadigitalskills #sportsdata

Sport has become so much bigger in Saudi than ever before. And no I am not talking about Ronaldo. (although he is a great asset for Saudi) I am talking about the Saudi Games. They are transforming the sports landscape. Here is why they matter: 💚 National Pride 🇸🇦 Sports events that bring people together, fostering unity. 💚 Health Focus 🇸🇦 Encouraging an active lifestyle among citizens. 💚 Talent Development 🇸🇦 Providing platforms for athletes to shine and grow. 💚 Inclusive Participation 🇸🇦 Ensuring everyone can take part, from men to women and athletes to para-athletes. So if you want to learn more about this incredible initiative - that only launched in 2022 - read our new edition of the Middle East Sunday Pages: https://lnkd.in/euwrazAC 💚 Support the movement. 🤝 Join the games. 💚 Witness the change. video: IG @thesaudigames

⚽🥅 Everybody knows Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr last year. But how much do you know about how much Saudi has been impacted by the most famous sportsperson in the world ⚽🥅 It is impressive to observe that Ronaldo has helped to fill in 20% of additional seats at Al Nassr’s home stadium when he plays and 15% of all the stadiums he visits (Research Gate). With the strong CR7 brand, Al Nassr has seen its Instagram following grow from 800K to 25 million over the course of a year! While, this is incredible, Saudi’s purpose for Ronaldo is much greater. With the worldwide reputation he holds, KSA has positioned him as a validator for the progress the kingdom has made with regards to sports. They have invested heavily in football, boxing, golf, F1 and e-sports, and with Ronaldo’s move to the Kingdom, it has attracted a large following towards Saudi Sports 🏆. This is further exacerbated with Ronaldo showcasing the country’s historic landmarks, opening a signature ‘CR7 Museum’ 🏛, wearing traditional Saudi dress to commemorate national holidays and large events, alongside the minister of entertainment. These activities are slowly reshaping the public image of Saudi Arabia, leading to increased tourism in the country. With Ronaldo being presented as the spokesperson of Saudi football, it is interesting to know that this is all a means to the end of Saudi securing the right to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Saudi sees this as a way to grow their economy and reputation by inviting the world to experience the rich culture and become part of its history. Looking at it from an outside view, it is incredible to see how one man is placed at the forefront of it all and is part of a large decade long plan to improve Saudi Arabia’s standing as a country and an innovator. What are your thoughts on Advocacy using a celebrated public figure? Do you think Cristiano has a done a good job or are you still not convinced by the PR for rapid expansion of KSA as a global sports hub ⚽ Kaizzen Kaizzen MENA نادي النصر السعودي - AlNassr Saudi Club #pr #marketing #sportsmarketing #footballnews #sportsanalysis

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia just delivered another pivotal moment in combat sports history. This weekend saw BATTLE OF THE GIANTS, in Riyadh. These events taking place in Saudi Arabia are capturing the attention of new fans and stakeholders in the Middle East, while putting Saudi on the global map for sports and entertainment. A double-win, for a country with a big population, and even bigger ambitions. The massive scale of the event drew attention from media, sponsors, and business leaders, highlighting the commercial potential of live MMA events in new markets. Battle of the Giants not only brought the best fighters together but also fostered collaboration across cultures and industries, creating a blueprint for future events in the region. For the fighters, this was more than just another event - it was a platform to perform on the world stage, and grow their own personal brands. As we continue to see more high-profile combat sports events take place in the Middle East, it's clear that this region will play a pivotal role in shaping the sport's global future. Love it or hate it, Saudi is fast becoming a powerhouse in sports & entertainment.

⚽🌟 Big shift in football fandom! Footballco's "Future of Fandom" report unveils a fascinating trend among Gen-Z fans in the US 🇺🇸, UAE 🇦🇪, and Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦: a strong preference for following individual players over clubs. 🔍: - A striking 40% of UAE, 38% of Saudi, and 34% of US fans favor supporting their favorite players rather than teams. ⭐ - Player loyalty is so strong that 35% of UAE and Saudi fans would switch team allegiances if their favorite player moved clubs. 📈 EX-Sports Opinion: This trend is fueled by the popularity of solo player journeys in football video games, the influence of star personalities on social media, the lower attention span of Gen-Z and that younger audiences in general prefer to follow players with stand out skill. 🎮🏆 💭 Insight: Freestyle football legend Séan Garnier has often highlighted the evolving landscape of football fandom, where emotional connections and personal affiliations with star players are becoming key, especially due to social media, where more fans follow players rather than clubs. His own journey is a testament to this, making a name for himself and becoming a legend through his personal ability and skills. ❤️ 🌍 The evolving behavior of Gen-Z towards football is a core reason why Sean and EX-Sports partnered to evolve Urbanball and develop the 1vs1 sport, a revelation in football that shines the light on the individual. 📊 #footballFandom #IndividualOverClub #GenZTrends #FutureOfFandom

As Saudi Arabia accelerates towards hosting the 2034 World Cup, the Kingdom’s sports sector is undergoing a massive transformation. Our latest report on Digital Stadiums highlights the role of sports in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, focusing on investments in world-class stadiums, the growth of local leagues, and the rise of job opportunities in the sector. Discover how these advancements are shaping a vibrant, diversified economy in our ‘Digital Stadiums’ report: pwc.to/4izSV5G #Vision2030 #WelcomeToSaudi34

Think Saudi Arabia's sports investment peaked with Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar? Think again! As the 2034 World Cup approaches, Saudi Arabia is revolutionizing its sports landscape with significant investments in state-of-the-art stadiums and local leagues. These efforts are positioning the Kingdom as a premier global sports hub. Discover our insights: pwc.to/4izSV5G #Vision2030 #WelcomeToSaudi34