As of 23 October 2026, Australia, New Zealand and Germany advise against all travel to Saudi Arabia, and the UK, Canada, Ireland and France advise against non-essential travel. Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport reopened on 18 October only to flights with prior permission from the civil aviation authority, and many foreign airlines have suspended Saudi flights. For airport status, airline schedules and official advice, each with its date and source, see Saudi Arabia Travel Status.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Updated with the announced dates, zones and event changes for Riyadh Season 2026; the month-by-month calendar below now describes the 2025–2026 season as past.
Riyadh Season is the Middle East’s largest entertainment festival — a winter programme of concerts, championship boxing, global cuisine, and themed zones that takes over the Saudi capital from October. Since its launch in 2019, organisers have reported attendance ranging from about 10 million visitors for the first edition to 20 million for the 2023–2024 edition. This page sets out what has been announced for the 2026 season and then records how the 2025–2026 season ran month by month, so you can see what each part of the season usually offers. For a broader look at the capital beyond the season, see our Riyadh travel guide, and if you’re planning your first visit to the Kingdom, start with the Saudi Arabia travel guide 2026.
2026 Season: Announced to open 21 October 2026 and run for ten weeks; closing date not yet published
Best Time to Visit: November – December for the 2026 edition (cooler evenings and the main events)
Getting There: Fly into King Khalid International Airport (RUH); direct flights from most major global hubs. See our airport guide and check current closures before you travel.
Visa Required: Yes for most nationalities — check eligibility for the tourist e-visa
Budget: Varies widely; some zones are free, others and most headline events are ticketed, and hotel prices rise during the season
Must-See: Boulevard World, Boulevard City, the season’s boxing and wrestling nights
Avoid: Arriving without pre-booked accommodation — hotel prices rise sharply on peak weekends
Riyadh Season 2026: What Has Been Announced
General Entertainment Authority (GEA) chairman Turki Alalshikh announced on 26 September 2026, in a promotional video, that the seventh edition of Riyadh Season would open on Wednesday 21 October 2026 under the slogan “Big Time” and run for ten weeks (Saudi Press Agency; Gulf News). That is a shorter season than the October-to-March runs of earlier editions. No closing date had been published when this page was updated.
The announcement promised boxing and wrestling events, UFC bouts, the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament, concerts by Saudi, Arab and international artists, theatre, stand-up comedy and family entertainment. Boulevard World returns with three new country pavilions for the Netherlands, Portugal and Yemen, alongside Boulevard City, Wonder Garden, The Groves, the Farmers’ Market and the Ana Arabia exhibition at VIA Riyadh (Arab News, 27 September 2026).
2026 zone opening dates
What’s On Saudi Arabia published these opening dates on 20 October 2026. Several were still marked “to be confirmed”, so check the Riyadh Season app before you go.
| Zone | Area | Opening date (as published 20 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Boulevard City | Hittin | Stage from Thursday 22 October; attractions from Saturday 24 October |
| Boulevard World | Hittin | Sunday 25 October |
| VIA Riyadh | Al Hada | Open throughout the season |
| Al Dirah Winter | Ad Dirah | Sunday 1 November |
| Wonder Garden | Boulevard City, Hittin | Wednesday 18 November |
| Suwaidi Park | Suwaidi | Wednesday 18 November |
| Al Hisn Maze | TBC | 19–28 November |
| The Groves | Hizm Park | November (date TBC) |
| Farmers’ Market | TBC | Friday 18 December |
| Riyadh Zoo | Al Malaz | TBC |
| SEVEN Al Hamra | Al Hamra | TBC |
| The Venue | Hittin | No date given |
Source: What’s On Saudi Arabia, 20 October 2026.
2026 headline events and changes
- Six Kings Slam (tennis): originally set for 21–24 October, it was postponed on 14 October to 27–30 December 2026 at ANB Arena. Riyadh Season cited “organizational and logistical challenges”; Tennis Majors reported that the move was linked to the international situation (Tennis Majors, 14 October 2026).
- Canelo Álvarez vs. Christian Mbilli (boxing): billed as “Mexico vs. The World” for Saturday 31 October 2026 in Riyadh, according to the fight-week schedule posted by Turki Alalshikh and reported by Boxing Insider on 20 October 2026.
- WWE Crown Jewel: advertised for 7 November 2026 at Riyadh Season Stadium. On 20 October Boxing Insider reported that WWE had made no public statement about the event and that a US city was being considered as a contingency, according to the Wrestling Observer (same source).
Saudi Arabia postponed several other events in mid-October 2026, including the Future Investment Initiative conference, which its organisers moved to 2027 (Boxing Insider, 20 October 2026). Check our Saudi Arabia travel status page for airport closures and government travel advice before you book, and read Riyadh Postponed the Conference and Kept the Season for our reporting on the decision to go ahead with the season.
The rest of this page describes the 2025–2026 season, which has ended. It shows what each month of a Riyadh Season has included; 2026 events will differ, and this year’s ten-week edition is shorter.
What Is Riyadh Season?
Riyadh Season is organised by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), the government body responsible for developing Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector under Vision 2030. It is part of the Saudi Seasons programme of regional events designed to attract domestic and international tourists.
The first edition launched on 11 October 2019 and attracted 10.3 million visitors across 100 events in 12 zones. Subsequent editions scaled up: the 2021–2022 season drew 15 million visitors across 7,000+ events, and the 2023–2024 edition reached 20 million. The 2025–2026 edition opened on 10 October 2025 with 11 main entertainment zones, 15 world championships, and 34 exhibitions and festivals (Gulf News). When its activities ended in February 2026, Turki Alalshikh announced that the sixth edition had drawn 17 million visitors (TradeArabia, 17 February 2026).
GEA Chairman Turki Al Sheikh oversees the festival’s programming and has become its most visible champion, personally announcing season dates, headline acts and attendance figures.
The Zones of Riyadh Season 2025–2026 (Last Season)
Each Riyadh Season zone occupies a distinct district of the capital, often 20–30 minutes apart by car. Most headline events are tied to a specific venue. Here is a summary of the key zones from the 2025–2026 edition; for 2026 opening dates, see the table above.
Boulevard City
The flagship free-entry zone in Al Hittin district. In 2025–2026 Boulevard City hosted concerts, restaurants and theatre performances, and the season opened with a parade beside it. Its ANB Arena staged the Six Kings Slam and the Ring IV boxing card. It returns for 2026 with new content. Use Uber or Careem to reach it — parking is notoriously scarce on event nights.
Boulevard World
The themed park of country zones, which added Indonesia, Kuwait, and South Korea for 2025. Gulf News reported 1,600 shops and 350 dining venues at the 2025 launch. Entry is ticketed; check the Riyadh Season app for current prices and hours. For 2026 it adds pavilions for the Netherlands, Portugal and Yemen.
Via Riyadh
The upscale zone offering fine dining, luxury retail, and exhibitions including Ana Arabia (“I Am Arab”), which returns for 2026. Via Riyadh suits visitors looking for a quieter evening out.
Beast Land
A 2025–2026 zone created with YouTube creator MrBeast, announced with more than 27 rides and 40 restaurants across 200,000 square metres (Gulf News, October 2025). It was aimed at a younger, more adrenaline-focused crowd. It does not appear in the published list of 2026 zones.
Other Zones
Riyadh Season 2025–2026 also included Kingdom Arena (major sporting events), ANB Arena (boxing and tennis), Roshn Front, National Museum Park, Riyadh Zoo, and several pop-up zones. See our Riyadh Season guide for more on the zones.
October: The Grand Opening
October has marked the start of Riyadh Season and the return of comfortable evening temperatures to the capital. Daytime highs still reach 35 °C in early October but drop to around 27 °C by month’s end, and evenings are pleasant at 18–22 °C.
Opening (10 October 2025)
The 2025–2026 season opened on Friday 10 October 2025 with a free parade beside Boulevard City. The 2026 edition was announced to open on 21 October 2026.
Riyadh Comedy Festival (2025)
A comedy festival with international headliners ran in Riyadh around the opening of the 2025–2026 season. Tickets for big names sold quickly. Stand-up comedy is listed in the 2026 programme, but no 2026 festival dates had been published when this page was updated.
Six Kings Slam Tennis (15–18 October 2025)
Held at ANB Arena, the 2025 invitational featured Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz and Stefanos Tsitsipas; Sinner beat Alcaraz in the final. The Six Kings Slam debuted in October 2024. The third edition, first set for October 2026, has been moved to 27–30 December 2026 (see above).
WBC Boxing Grand Prix (2025)
The Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix ran through the 2025–2026 season, with rounds in the autumn and the championship final in December.
November: Sport and Culture Peak
November is often the best month to visit for Riyadh Season. The weather is mild — highs of 27 °C, lows of 14 °C — and the 2025 calendar was full of international sport. In 2026, WWE Crown Jewel is advertised for 7 November and several zones are due to open in mid-November (see above).
Equestrian and Power Slap (late October 2025)
The 2025 programme included international show jumping and a Power Slap card, Dana White’s open-palm striking league, around the turn of the month. Power Slap was reported to be returning in late 2026, with no date set when this page was updated.
WTA Finals (1–8 November 2025)
The season-ending championship for women’s tennis was held at the King Saud University Indoor Arena in Riyadh from 1 to 8 November 2025, the second year in a row the city hosted it (2025 WTA Finals). It brings the top eight singles players and doubles teams of the year together.
Riyadh Season Snooker Championship (November 2025)
Snooker was part of the 2025–2026 sports programme, alongside boxing and tennis.
The Ring IV: Night of the Champions — Boxing (22 November 2025)
Held at ANB Arena, the Ring IV card was headlined by David Benavidez vs. Anthony Yarde; Benavidez won by seventh-round stoppage and kept his WBC light heavyweight title. The Ring series has been one of Riyadh Season’s main boxing franchises.
Booking tip: November offers good weather and a busy calendar, and hotels are usually less expensive than at the busiest peak weekends. Book your accommodation several weeks ahead, especially around a headline fight or tournament.
December: Soundstorm and Boxing Finals
December brings cooler temperatures averaging 15–22 °C and, in 2025, the season’s biggest music event. In 2026 the rescheduled Six Kings Slam is set for 27–30 December, near the end of the announced ten-week season.
MDLBeast Soundstorm (11–13 December 2025)
The Middle East’s largest music festival takes over a desert site outside Riyadh. The 2025 edition ran from Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 December 2025 (MDLBEAST) with international pop, hip-hop and electronic acts. MDLBEAST had not listed a 2026 edition when this page was updated. Soundstorm is a separately ticketed event. For a deeper dive, see our Soundstorm festival guide.
WBC Boxing Grand Prix — Championship Final (December 2025)
The concluding round of the WBC Grand Prix that began in the autumn.
Ring V: Night of the Samurai — Boxing (27 December 2025)
At Mohammed Abdo Arena, undisputed super bantamweight (junior featherweight) champion Naoya Inoue beat Alan David Picasso by unanimous decision (WBO).
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
The main zones have held New Year’s Eve programming with concerts and extended hours. These are among the most crowded nights of the season — arrive early and expect long queues. Whether the 2026 season runs to New Year’s Eve depends on its closing date, which had not been published.
Weather note: December evenings in Riyadh can drop to 8–10 °C. Pack a jacket if you’re spending the evening at Boulevard World or at an open-air event.
January: WWE, Darts, and the Home Stretch (2026)
January is Riyadh’s coldest month, with average highs of 21 °C and lows around 9 °C. In 2026 it brought the season’s biggest global event. The 2026–2027 season was announced as a ten-week run from 21 October, so it may have ended before January 2027; no closing date had been published.
Saudi Arabia Darts Masters (19–20 January 2026)
Part of the PDC World Series of Darts, this two-day invitational was held at Global Theatre in Riyadh; Luke Littler beat Michael van Gerwen in the final (2026 Saudi Arabia Darts Masters).
WWE Royal Rumble (31 January 2026)
The first traditional Royal Rumble held outside North America, staged at Riyadh Season Stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District. The men’s match was won by Roman Reigns and the women’s match by Liv Morgan (Royal Rumble 2026). WWE returns to the same stadium for Crown Jewel, advertised for 7 November 2026.
February: Golf, Padel, and the Season Close (2026)
February is a transitional month as temperatures start climbing again (highs of 24 °C). In 2026 the approach of Ramadan, which began in February, brought the season to an end: Turki Alalshikh announced the final visitor figure of 17 million “coinciding with the conclusion of the season’s activities” on 16–17 February 2026 (TradeArabia, 17 February 2026).
LIV Golf Riyadh (February 2026)
The Saudi-backed golf league opened its 2026 season in Riyadh, with the event finishing on 7 February 2026.
Premier Padel Riyadh P1 (7–14 February 2026)
This Premier Padel event, held at the Padel Rush Arena, brought the world’s top players to Riyadh (2026 Riyadh P1). Padel has grown quickly in popularity in Saudi Arabia.
PIF Saudi Ladies International (February 2026)
A women’s professional golf tournament at Riyadh Golf Club; Charley Hull won the 2026 edition.
Ramadan
Ramadan changes the rhythm of the city. Zones that stay open usually shift to evening hours after iftar, and restaurant hours change. Check the official Riyadh Season app for schedules.
March: After the Season
Earlier editions ran into March, but the 2025–2026 season’s activities ended in February 2026, and the 2026 edition was announced as a ten-week season from 21 October.
Fanatics Flag Football Classic (moved to Los Angeles)
A celebrity flag football event featuring Tom Brady, planned for Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on 21 March 2026, was moved to BMO Stadium in Los Angeles; Fanatics confirmed the move on 9 March 2026 and gave no official reason, while AP linked it to the war with Iran (AP via WTOP; The Stadium Business).
Season Closing Events
Closing weeks have usually brought concerts and extended hours at the major zones, with large crowds as residents visit one last time.
Note: Some zones have stayed open after the main programme ends. Check the Riyadh Season app for post-season hours.
How Riyadh Season Has Grown: Edition by Edition
| Edition | Dates | Visitors | Zones | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (2019–2020) | Oct 11 – Jan 2020 | 10.3 million | 12 | Inaugural edition; SAR 6 billion revenue |
| 2nd (2021–2022) | Oct 20 – Mar 2022 | 15 million | 14 | 7,000+ events; post-COVID comeback |
| 3rd (2022–2023) | Oct 21 – Mar 2023 | 15 million | 15 | 8,500 activity days; Riyadh Season Cup (PSG vs Riyadh XI) |
| 4th (2023–2024) | Oct 28 – Mar 2024 | 20 million | 12 | Fury vs Ngannou; Joshua vs Ngannou; “Big Time” tagline introduced |
| 5th (2024–2025) | Oct 12 – Mar 2025 | ~19 million | — | Usyk vs Fury II; Six Kings Slam debut (October 2024) |
| 6th (2025–2026) | Oct 10, 2025 – Feb 2026 | 17 million | 11 | First WWE Royal Rumble outside North America |
| 7th (2026) | From Oct 21, 2026 (ten weeks announced) | — | 12 listed | Six Kings Slam moved to 27–30 Dec |
Tickets: Where and How to Buy
All Riyadh Season event tickets are sold through the official channels:
- Riyadh Season App — the primary platform for browsing and purchasing. Available on iOS and Android.
- webook.com — the official Saudi ticketing partner. Handles most event and zone entry tickets.
- riyadhseason.com — the official website with event listings and direct ticket links.
- Zone entry (Boulevard World): ticketed; 2026 prices are listed in the Riyadh Season app
- Boulevard City: free entry in 2025–2026
- Concerts, boxing, wrestling and tennis: prices vary by event and seat; check the listing for each event
- Soundstorm: sold separately by MDLBEAST
- Riyadh Postponed the Conference and Kept the Season
- Can Riyadh Host the World While Its Airport Cannot Stay Open?
- Saudi Arabia Postpones Flagship Investment Conference to 2027
- Riyadh Airport Reopens, Coalition Intercepts 5 Drones Same Morning
- Riyadh Travel Guide — Things to do, metro, hotels, and Diriyah in the Saudi capital
- Riyadh Season Guide — Overview of zones, events, and tickets
- Soundstorm Festival Guide — Everything you need to know about MDLBeast’s mega music event
- Saudi Arabia Events Calendar 2026 — Month-by-month guide to festivals and events across the Kingdom
- Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to visiting the Kingdom
- Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — Every visa type explained
Pricing Guide
Tip: Headline acts sell out within hours of release. Follow the Riyadh Season app for ticket drop notifications. Resale at inflated prices is common on third-party platforms but not officially sanctioned.
Practical Tips for Visitors
Getting Around
Riyadh Season zones are spread across the city and often separated by 20–30 minutes of driving. The Uber and Careem apps are the easiest way to move between zones, though surge pricing applies on major event nights. Riyadh’s Metro (opened from December 2024) connects some areas, with Line 4 (Yellow Line) running between King Khalid Airport and the King Abdullah Financial District. Car hire is widely available.
Where to Stay
Hotels near Boulevard City (Al Hittin, Al Olaya, KAFD) are the most convenient but most expensive during the season. Budget travellers should consider apart-hotels in Al Malaz or Al Murabba, which are 15–20 minutes by ride-hail. Book well in advance for the season; prices rise sharply on event weekends. For detailed recommendations, see our Saudi Arabia hotels guide.
What to Wear
Riyadh Season events are relatively relaxed by Saudi standards, but the Kingdom’s dress code still applies — shoulders and knees should be covered in public. Evenings from November to February are cool (8–15 °C), so bring layers. Women do not need to wear an abaya but modest dress is expected. For more on what to expect as a first-time visitor, see our non-Muslim travel guide.
Food and Drink
Boulevard World alone has 500+ restaurants. Saudi Arabia does not serve alcohol, but the dining scene is outstanding — from street-food stalls in the themed country zones to fine dining at Via Riyadh. Most zone restaurants are open from 4 PM to midnight; during Ramadan, expect post-iftar hours only. For broader tips, see our shopping and dining guide.
Currency and Payments
Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi Riyal (SAR), pegged at 3.75 to the US dollar. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere within Riyadh Season zones. Apple Pay and mada (the Saudi debit network) work seamlessly at most vendors.
When to Go: Choosing Your Month
| Month | Weather | Crowd Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 27–35 °C (warm) | Moderate | Opening ceremony, comedy festival, tennis |
| November | 20–27 °C (ideal) | High | WTA Finals, boxing, equestrian, best weather-to-crowd ratio |
| December | 15–22 °C (cool) | Very High | Soundstorm, boxing finals, NYE events |
| January | 14–21 °C (cold) | Very High | WWE Royal Rumble, darts, peak season atmosphere |
| February | 16–24 °C (warming) | Moderate–High | Golf, padel, quieter zone experiences before Ramadan |
| March | 20–28 °C (warm) | Moderate | Closing events, smaller crowds, last-chance visits |
Planning Your Visit: Key Dates at a Glance
The following dates are from the 2025–2026 edition, which has ended. The 2026 edition was announced as a ten-week season from 21 October 2026; its dates are in the section at the top of this page.
| Date | Event | Venue/Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Oct 2025 | Season opening parade | Beside Boulevard City |
| 15–18 Oct 2025 | Six Kings Slam Tennis | ANB Arena |
| 1–8 Nov 2025 | WTA Finals | King Saud University Indoor Arena |
| 22 Nov 2025 | Ring IV Boxing (Benavidez vs. Yarde) | ANB Arena |
| 11–13 Dec 2025 | MDLBeast Soundstorm | Riyadh |
| 27 Dec 2025 | Ring V Boxing (Inoue vs. Picasso) | Mohammed Abdo Arena |
| 19–20 Jan 2026 | Saudi Arabia Darts Masters | Global Theatre |
| 31 Jan 2026 | WWE Royal Rumble | Riyadh Season Stadium, KAFD |
| Ended 7 Feb 2026 | LIV Golf Riyadh | Riyadh |
| 7–14 Feb 2026 | Premier Padel Riyadh P1 | Padel Rush Arena |
| Feb 2026 | PIF Saudi Ladies International | Riyadh Golf Club |
| Feb 2026 | Season activities end; 17 million visitors announced | — |
| 21 Mar 2026 | Fanatics Flag Football Classic (moved to Los Angeles) | BMO Stadium, Los Angeles |