Updated November 17, 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City has noted its plans to open the Six Flags theme park on December 31, 2025. The move comes as Qiddiya City accelerates efforts to position itself as a major regional hub for entertainment, sports and culture. The park is the first Six Flags outside North America. Furthermore, it forms part of Qiddiya Investment Co’s flagship development on the outskirts of Riyadh. The park is located in the Tuwaiq Mountains about 40 minutes from the capital. Qiddiya City is being marketed as a master-planned destination built around the company’s “Power of Play” strategy. Qiddiya is central to Saudi Arabia’s transformation strategy under Vision 2030.
Furthermore, the Kingdom targeting up to 150 million visitors annually by 2030 as the nation moves beyond oil-led growth. Brian Machamer, president of Six Flags Qiddiya City, said: “Six Flags Qiddiya City not only opens its door to the public for the first time, it starts to showcase everything Qiddiya City stands for: bold imagination, unforgettable experiences, and a new benchmark for global entertainment.” Qiddiya City is making strides in its construction projects as earlier last month it awarded the construction of a performing arts center, a $1.4 billion endeavor.
Features of Six Flags Theme Park
Six Flags Qiddiya City will feature 28 rides, including several promoted as record-breakers. One of them is the Falcons Flight roller coaster, billed as the world’s tallest, fastest and longest. It also includes the Iron Rattler, described as the world’s tallest tilt coaster. Furthermore, it entails the Spitfire, marketed as the world’s tallest inverted coaster. The park also includes 18 family-oriented rides, as well as international dining outlets and retail stores offering exclusive Six Flags merchandise.
Qiddiya City is expected to eventually feature hundreds of attractions, along with residential, retail, office, hospitality, healthcare and educational facilities. All this will be in a large-scale, mixed-use district. The development is a key part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to expand its tourism sector and diversify its economy beyond oil. The theme park will open daily at 4 p.m., with complimentary shuttles connecting visitors from designated parking areas and from Jeddah Metro Station, where services will begin at 3 p.m. All shuttle services are accessible for guests with disabilities.
December 11, 2025: The launch of Qiddiya City’s master plan in 2023 was another milestone in its development as the building went on. The plan is planned to be among Saudi Arabia’s major destinations once finished, as it is an entertainment, sports, and culture center. It is part of Saudi Vision 2030, aiming for diversification of the national economy. The building plan involves the construction of around 60,000 structures over a total area of 360 square kilometers. Qiddiya City is one of Saudi Kingdom’s largest undertakings alongside Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, world’s largest construction project. In the latest annual Saudi Giga Projects Report, project consultancy firm Knight Frank noted the Kingdom is imbued in various other projects, with a total of 17 being in the works. Qiddiya city is also making strides in its Qiddiya performing arts center as it has issued a $1.4 billion contract to local-based Nesma & Partners.
Other than NEOM, it includes The Red Sea project and the Qiddiya Coast project. In their report, Knight Frank noted that $57 billion of contracts had already been awarded and $187.2 billion worth in the pipeline. The report’s findings highlight the progress of Vision 2030. The aspiration aims to position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for lifestyle, leisure, tourism, and economic activity. Projects such as Qiddiya have also taken shape since the urban design scope was released in 2023. The implementation of Expo 2030 Riyadh venue is also of significance as it will compliment such projects and promote sustainability.
Significance of Qiddiya City
The project once completed will be able to host up to 600,000 residents within the city. Construction has already started and contracts worth $5 billion have already been awarded in regards to the project. The city is expected to be a one-of-a-kind city as it is expected to attract over 48 million visitors per year. It is expected to host several world-class attraction sites and venues. The city will also host several amenities such as hotels and cafes. The city will also host several recreational facilities to entertain its guests. Qiddiya City will include features such as a gaming and e-sports district, a speed park track, and golf courses. It will also include elegant water theme parks and Six Flags Qiddiya. It will also include a stadium that will be multipurpose.
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Qiddiya City Aims to Revolutionize Saudi Arabia as One of its Major Giga-Projects.
Qiddiya City is regarded as one of Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects as it is key to Saudi’s Vision 2030 ambitions. The City is expected to contribute to the Kingdom both socially, economically, and culturally. On an economic aspect, Qiddiya and its city are expected to generate an annual revenue of $67.5 billion. This will greatly influence the Kingdom’s economy as it is also expected to provide over 325,000 job opportunities. The Qiddiya city project seeks to build destinations and foster dedication to improving sports, culture, and entertainment in the Kingdom. Qiddiya City will revolutionize the Kingdom as is the hope of many with everyone anticipating for its completion.
