Saudi Arabia is Hosting 4th Stadiums & Sports Innovation Summit 2026

The 4^th Stadiums and Sports Innovation Summit 2026 will take place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on May 18 and 19, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya Hotel. Leaders from the sports infrastructure, technology, investment, and facilities management industries from around the world and the region will be present at the conference.

The Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA) has officially supported the summit, highlighting its significance as a forum for discussing the future of smart stadiums, developing athletic assets, and expanding investment prospects in the Kingdom’s sports business.

In line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, the summit takes place amid profound changes in the Saudi sports industry. The Kingdom’s emphasis on improving sports infrastructure, creating more contemporary stadium operation models, controlling the spectator experience, and boosting investment efficiency in sports facilities and projects—all in anticipation of hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup—is especially clear.

A Platform for Sports Technology Investment

The summit brings together key decision-makers from government entities, major projects, sports federations, global investors, and technology companies to talk about stadium and sports facility development strategies, as well as the role of smart solutions in improving operations, safety, sustainability, and the fan experience.

Moreover, new strategic alliances and knowledge sharing between domestic and foreign organisations are expected to be enhanced by the summit. Additionally, it will highlight the most recent advancements in artificial intelligence, smart stadium systems, cutting-edge security technologies, and contemporary fan engagement tools.

Likewise, the summit offers a chance to investigate ways to modernise and privatise sports assets, improving the industry’s capacity to draw in investment and create more effective and long-lasting operational models.

Local & International Organisation Speakers

The summit released a list of notable speakers from the investment, infrastructure, design, sports security, and club and tournament administration sectors, including:

• Basim K. Ibrahim, Director of Sports Investment at the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA).
• Ben Harburg, the first foreign owner of Al-Kholoud Club and Chairman of the Harburg Group.
• Sherif Bialy, Director of Infrastructure and Asset Development at NEOM.
• Shireen Hamdan, Chief Executive Officer and Global President at Popular.
• Francesco Aurelio Bongiorno, Associate Director of Design Management at Mace.
• Michael Smith, Head of Sports and Technical Affairs at the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation.
• Fawaz Al Ayban, Head of Procurement at Al Hilal Saudi Club.
• Helmut Spahn, Director of Safety, Security, and Access at FIFA.
• Meshal Aldeaijy, Strategic Planning and Implementation Consultant.
• John Seed, Group Director of Strategy and Development at Dar Al Riyadh.
• Sayed Farouk, Director of Information Technology at the Saudi Professional League.
• Bandar Mohammed, Programme Manager at the Public Investment Fund.

This participation reflects the diversity of attendees, including government and investment organisations as well as design, construction, and operations firms. Further, this gives the summit a pragmatic quality by connecting market demands, public policies, and the requirements for executing major sports projects.

Summit Themes

Several topics about the future of sports facilities are the main focus of the summit, including:

• Smart stadium design and digital transformation of sports infrastructure.
• The use of artificial intelligence in facility operation and management.
• Safety, security, and crowd management.
• Sustainability and green building strategies.
• Investment opportunities in the sports ecosystem.
• Enhancing the fan experience and new interaction technologies.

Besides, the summit aims to provide ample networking opportunities for executives and decision-makers, enabling conversations on future projects, partnership formation, and the exploration of technical solutions applied in stadiums and sporting facilities around the Kingdom and region.

Growing Saudi Sports Industry

The meeting comes at a time when the Saudi sports sector is expanding significantly in terms of infrastructure, investment, and major event hosting. Furthermore, in this environment, the development of stadiums and sports facilities is critical to creating a more diverse sports economy capable of attracting global firms and improving the sporting experience for citizens, residents, and visitors.

Advanced Conferences & Meetings (ACM), the event organiser, oversees the summit and continues to establish itself as one of the top conferences in the area, with a focus on stadiums and sports innovation.

Please check out the official summit website for further details: www.stadiumksa.com