Overview
- The Wall Street Journal reported that Universal Destinations & Experiences is in early planning and doing initial concept work for a new park in Saudi Arabia.
- The prospective location is the Qiddiya Entertainment and Sports Complex southwest of Riyadh.
- The arrangement would likely be a licensing deal in which a Saudi government–backed entity funds construction while Universal supplies IP and creative oversight.
- Comcast CEO Brian Roberts recently visited Saudi Arabia and toured Qiddiya, according to the report, and Universal and Comcast have not confirmed the project.
- The effort is described as a multibillion-dollar build that would likely not open until the 2030s, as regional competition intensifies with Disney’s planned Abu Dhabi park and Six Flags Qiddiya scheduled to open on December 31.