AlUla and the World’s Largest Equestrian Village
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Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East, with an area exceeding 2 million km²—a territory 4.5 times the size of France—and a population of 34 million. Since 2019, the Kingdom has opened its doors to the world, revealing treasures such as AlUla, a region the size of Belgium with over 7,000 years of history. This enclave, home to the Nabataean necropolises of Hegra—a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008—is a central pillar of 'Vision 2030', the ambitious development plan championed by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Within this heritage framework, the Crown Prince is leading the construction of the world's largest equestrian village: AlMuatadil Equestrian Village. Spanning 2.85 km² (285 hectares)—four times larger than Disneyland park—this project aims to establish AlUla as a global reference point for the sector.
Cutting-Edge Infrastructure and Sustainable Design
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has designed a comprehensive, year-round operational complex that integrates sport with the natural landscape. The architecture employs traditional methods, local materials, and earth tones to blend seamlessly with the desert environment, avoiding intrusive interventions.
The main facilities at AlMuatadil include:
A main race track with a capacity for 3,000 spectators.
A dedicated endurance race track.
A grass polo field with 600 seats and a sand polo field for 400 people. A second phase will see the construction of two additional polo fields with the official dimensions of the Palermo fields in Buenos Aires.
Two stable complexes with a total capacity for 840 horses.
Specialised veterinary facilities and professional training centres.
Economic Impact and Strategic Vision
AlUla's development is guided by the 'Journey Through Time' master plan. According to Ziad Al-Suhaibani, head of the RCU's sports sector, the strategy aims to develop sports assets worth up to US$ 2.666 billion by 2030.
It is estimated that by 2035, the region will have created 38,000 new jobs and its population will reach 130,000. In macroeconomic terms, AlUla is projected to contribute over US$ 28.400 billion to the Kingdom's GDP. Symbols of this transformation include infrastructure such as the Maraya Concert Hall, the world's largest mirror-clad building, which functions as a cultural centre, museum, and theatre.
A Comprehensive Equestrian Ecosystem
AlUla has already demonstrated its organisational capacity with high-profile events like the AlFursan Endurance, which attracts riders and teams from the US, Europe, and the Middle East, and Desert Polo, which has featured top-tier players and some of the sport's most notable patrons.
The current objective, however, is to build a lasting ecosystem that includes:
Animal Welfare: International standards of care and elite veterinary services.
Local Training: Programmes to train riders, technicians, and specialised staff, reducing reliance on external consultancy.
Integrated Tourism: An offering that links sport with music, art, and adventure festivals, such as the AlUla Tour in cycling.
The AlMuatadil Equestrian Village is not an isolated structure; it is the pillar of a strategy that uses sport and cultural heritage to position Saudi Arabia, and the wider international community, towards a new model of sustainable desert development.
AlMuatadil Village
With an area of 285 hectares, AlMuatadil Equestrian Village establishes itself as a leading international platform for high-level events. The venue's facilities are designed to host a wide range of activities, from classical dressage to concerts, featuring two arenas with capacities for 5,000 and 1,400 attendees respectively. Furthermore the village offers grass polo, sand polo, and endurance circuits, with grandstands for 600, 400, and 600 seats respectively.
The infrastructure includes visitor services, commercial areas, and accommodation complexes for participants and workers. The total capacity of its two stable blocks is 740 horses. The sustainable architectural design integrates with the surroundings using a colour palette that evokes the earth tones of the desert and the sandstone of the canyons.
Animal welfare is the central focus. The stables feature undulating roofs that allow natural light to foster a tranquil environment. The training centre is equipped with Seawalker pools, treadmills, and vibrating plates. Furthermore, a 6,000 m² veterinary clinic offers advanced services including radiography, MRI, embryo transfer, laser and emergency surgery, haematology, parasitology, and stem cell and plasma rehabilitation therapies.
This project, whose transformation began in 2022, fulfils the objectives of Vision 2030 and the RCU's 'Journey Through Time' master plan, focusing on economic diversification and sustainable tourism. Under a low-impact model, organic and food waste is recycled to produce fertiliser for local agriculture, while water from the stables' cooling systems is also reused. As a multi-competition centre, AlMuatadil projects AlUla onto the world map, with international events reaching a global audience of up to 45 million people.
Al Atheeb Equestrian Village
Located about 10 km from AlMuatadil, Al Atheeb village specialises in culture, training, and recreational activities. While AlMuatadil focuses on competition—having hosted events like the Fursan Endurance Cup (a 120 km desert race) and the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo—Al Atheeb is dedicated to the development of equestrian knowledge.
This complex will include a riding school for locals and tourists, as well as a technical training centre for instructors, equestrian tourism guides, farriers, and stable hands. The cultural offering is highlighted by a horse museum with five pavilions and a studio for the creation of a Furusiyya academy, a local discipline inspired by the traditional use of the horse.
Regarding hospitality infrastructure, Al Atheeb will have hotels strategically located near the mare farm and the museum. Additionally, this site will serve as the main starting point for various riding trails in the region, consolidating the area's equestrian ecosystem.
Renowned Firms in AlUla
The international firm AECOM has unveiled the plans for the new AlMuatadil Equestrian Village in the AlUla desert. The project is notable for its low-rise units and sand tones, designed to integrate harmoniously with the natural environment.
Under the direction of lead designer Erik Behrens, AECOM developed this conceptual scheme in cooperation with the Saudi Equestrian Federation, the RCU Planning Panel, and Laura Richardson, leader of the equestrian development sector. This "world-class equestrian village" is conceived as a comprehensive complex that pays homage to the region's cultural and equestrian heritage.
The 285-hectare complex features an architectural palette inspired by both the light tones of the desert floor and the dark hues of the canyon sandstone walls. The competition enclosures are discreetly grouped, embedded in the landscape of undulating dunes, offering direct access and open views towards the rock formations.
Sustainability and Reach
AECOM will implement textures and colours that allow the grandstands and roofs to blend with the terrain. The environmental commitment includes recycling all organic waste (stable and food) to produce fertiliser for the local agricultural sector, as well as reusing water from the stables' cooling system.
Luxury Architecture and Culture
AlUla's development is attracting exclusive firms worldwide. French architect Jean Nouvel is currently designing a resort hidden among the rock dwellings, while other high-level proposals define the landscape:
Banyan Tree Resort (AW²): This Paris-based firm drew inspiration from the nomadic nature of Nabataean architecture. The complex consists of tent-shaped villas and features a pool embedded among the rocks of Ashar Valley. It houses the Saffron restaurant, serving Thai cuisine, and the prestigious La Palma.
Shaden Resort: Offers luxury villas and various room types arranged in a radial layout, with a central pool surrounded by palm trees.
Contemporary Art Museum
Arts AlUla has officially announced the name of this institution, which is developing as a dynamic platform for contemporary art. The museum will house original works by artists ranging from Picasso to Etel Adnan.
As part of Saudi Vision 2030, architect Lina Ghotmeh (LINA GHOTMEH — ARCHITECTURE) has been appointed to design the permanent headquarters. While the physical building construction is finalised, the institution will launch pre-opening cultural programmes.
Understanding the Sports Sector
AlUla is a city located in northern Saudi Arabia, distinguished by its vast archaeological wealth, fine pink sand, and monumental rock formations. Also historically known as Dedan, it is situated in the Medina region. Founded in the 6th century BC, it emerged as an oasis in a desert valley, favoured by fertile soil and abundant water.
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation (SAEF), organises the AlFursan Endurance annually. The 2025 edition has set a new milestone by offering a prize purse comparable to the Australian Open tennis final, reaching approximately US$ 5.3 million at its AlUla venue.
This growth is part of the overall momentum experienced by the Kingdom's sports sector in preparation for the 2034 World Cup. An investment of US$ 26.600 million is estimated for the development of projects and sports infrastructure required for the tournament. The national plan envisages the provision of 15 stadiums; of these, 11 will be completely rebuilt, achieving a total capacity exceeding 775,000 seats.
Regarding AlUla Football Club, its board chairman, Al-Suhaibani, highlighted that the main objective is to compete for promotion to the Saudi Premier League. He also underlined the relevance of the privatisation process, which has strengthened the administrative maturity and governance of the institution.
AlUla Football Club was one of the pioneers to be privatised under the Club Investment and Privatisation Project championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This strategy was developed along two lines: Investment from large companies and development agencies in exchange for the transfer of ownership. The direct privatisation of a series of clubs initiated in the last quarter of 2023.
During the first phase, Al-Hilal, Al-Nasr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli clubs were transformed into companies, transferring 75% of their ownership to the Public Investment Fund. Simultaneously, ownership of Al-Qadisiyah Club was transferred to Aramco; AlUla Club to the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate; Ad-Diriyah to the Diriyah Development Authority; and Al-Suqoor to NEOM, the institution that subsequently renamed the team 'NEOM Club'.
International Projection: AlUla Tour
On another front, the AlUla Tour has established itself as the most significant cycling competition in the UCI Asia Tour calendar since its creation in 2019. Data from the most recent edition reveals significant global impact, reaching 190 territories.
The event's significance is reflected in the following figures:
Broadcast: 62 television broadcast agreements.
Digital Reach: Over 157.5 million impressions generated on social media during the event.
Press Impact: An estimated media value of US$ 4.4 million derived from press coverage.
The Horse, a Fundamental Pillar of the AlUla Project
The horse, and more specifically the Arabian purebred, is an element intrinsically linked to the history and culture of Saudi Arabia. Originating from the Arabian Peninsula and considered the oldest breed in the world, this species has sparked a true passion for 9,000 years, as confirmed by recent archaeological discoveries.
Nicknamed the Prince of the Desert for its elegance, robustness, and exceptional adaptation to the arid climate, the Arabian purebred is the ancestor of modern breeds and holds a predominant place in the life of the Kingdom. Citizens celebrate its nobility in conformation and aesthetics contests, as well as its physical faculties in various equestrian disciplines and races. Today, the Kingdom maintains a firm commitment to the development, breeding, and preservation of this lineage.
As an integral part of the AlUla project, various thematic spaces will be developed to honour this legacy:
History in AlUla: An area dedicated to the historical link of the horse with this specific region.
National Trajectory: A space tracing the evolution of the species in Saudi Arabia.
The Breed: A section focused exclusively on the characteristics and genetics of the Arabian purebred.
The Horse in the Arts: An exhibition on its representation and influence in artistic expression.
Furusiyya: A sector dedicated to the culture and art of cavalry in Arab countries, highlighting the values of this millennia-old tradition.
Partnerships
The RCU's partnership with the Association de Formation et d'Action Sociale des Écuries de Courses (AFASEC) will train young Saudis and develop their technical qualifications for specialised jobs in the equestrian sector.
Furthermore, the RCU is developing a partnership with the Polo Club Saint-Tropez, with the aim of playing a key role in shaping AlUla's equestrian experience. Experts from Saint-Tropez provide insight and technical support in the management and development of equestrian activities, including polo club management, tournament organisation, horse management, and facility development. This work is complemented by La Dolfina from Argentina, whose partnership also offers polo club management, tournament organisation, horse management, and equestrian facility development.
The close collaborations and friendship that have united France and Saudi Arabia for many years led the Kingdom to request France's support for its AlUla development project. This programme was formalised through an intergovernmental agreement, resulting in the creation of the French Agency for AlUla Development (AFALULA) as a privileged partner of the RCU to develop AlUla's appeal.
Infrastructure and the AlUla Brand
The master plan for AlMuatadil Village is being developed by the US-based infrastructure consultancy AECOM, in cooperation with the Saudi Equestrian Federation and an RCU design panel.
To promote the AlUla brand, Team AlUla has been created, which participates in the series of fully electric powerboat races governed by the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique). The team is led by NBA star LeBron James. These are high-speed powerboat races held in various cities around the world such as Miami (US), Monaco, Croatia, Nigeria, and Lake Como.
Strategic Alliances and Sports Development
he Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ASICS to advance strategic cooperation supporting the development of AlUla's sports ecosystem. The memorandum provides a framework for exploring collaboration in sports development, performance expertise, athlete pathways, events and distinctive initiatives, community engagement, and digital enhancements that optimise the participant experience in AlUla's calendar.
As part of its objectives to develop the sports sector and establish AlUla as a premier equestrian destination, the RCU has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA). This agreement seeks to advance horse racing in the area and enhance field services, strengthening AlUla's position as a leading centre for equestrian sports and opening new investment opportunities in the sector.
