This Month in Saudi: We're going to the World Cup!

This Month in Saudi is back with stories on National Day celebrations as well as sports, tech, and arts news.

October 16, 2025

In partnership with

September ‘25 Edition

Welcome back to This Month in Saudi and we hope you had a wonderful National Day!

The Kingdom celebrated the 95th anniversary of its unification on 23 September with cities across the Kingdom lighting up in green and holding festivities that were as sweeping as they were spectacular — from synchronized fireworks in 14 cities and soaring aerobatic displays, to naval parades, cultural performances and local fairs that brought communities together under a banner of national pride.

Under the theme “Pride in Our Nature,” the visual identity, which was composed of symbols highlighting generosity, resilience, authenticity and heritage, set the tone for a week of public celebrations.

At dusk, skies over Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and beyond burst into color in perfect unison at 9:00 p.m., as thousands gathered in parks, waterfronts and city centers to share the spectacle. Meanwhile officials, including King Salman, offered reflections of gratitude and reaffirmed the pursuit of unity, progress and justice in the Kingdom’s next chapter.

Without further ado, let’s dive in.

First, a few public service announcements.

Saudi Arabia has introduced new rental regulations in Riyadh, freezing annual rent increases for both residential and commercial properties for five years starting 25 September 2025. The decision, issued by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and enacted by royal decree, aims to curb soaring prices and bring greater fairness to the capital’s rental market. Learn more here.

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, has announced the launch of its first daily flights to London Heathrow Airport, starting 26 October, aboard Boeing 787-9 aircraft. More on this story here.

THIS MONTH IN SPORTS

Saudi Arabia Secures Spot in 2026 FIFA World Cup

In a pivotal match held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a scoreless draw against Iraq on Tuesday, 14 October.

The Green Falcons will be making their seventh World Cup appearance, having previously qualified in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022. Their best performance came in 1994 when they reached the Round of 16. Read more here.

Historic First: WrestleMania Heads to Saudi Arabia in 2027

For the first time in its nearly four-decade history, WWE’s biggest annual spectacle, WrestleMania, will take place outside the United States and Canada. Triple H, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, announced on alongside Turki Al Shaikh that WrestleMania 43 will be hosted in Riyadh in 2027 as part of Riyadh Season, marking a major milestone for both WWE and Saudi Arabia’s growing role in the global sports and entertainment industry. Click here for the full story.

Saudi Women Riders Make History at Crown Prince Camel Festival

The seventh Crown Prince Camel Festival in Taif witnessed a historic moment as Saudi women riders made their mark by winning cups and setting records for the first time. Learn more about these athletes’ achievements here.

THIS MONTH IN TECH

Tom and Jerry Mobile Game Announced by Saudi’s Steer Studios and Warner Bros.

Saudi-based Steer Studios has announced its first major collaboration with Warner Bros. Entertainment to develop a new mobile game based on the iconic Tom and Jerry franchise. The partnership marks a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s ambition to build a global games and esports hub under Vision 2030.

The upcoming mobile title will bring Tom and Jerry to a new generation of fans through hybrid casual puzzle gameplay, featuring a unique multi-stage mechanic. Not much else is known about the game yet, with more details coming soon. Get the full story here.

THIS MONTH IN ARTS & CULTURE

Desert Warrior: Saudi-Filmed Epic Starring Anthony Mackie to Premiere in Zurich

Desert Warrior, an epic action feature set in 7th century Arabia and filmed in Saudi Arabia, had its world premiere at the Zurich Film Festival on 28 September. Produced by MBC Studios and JB Pictures.

The film features an ensemble cast led by Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, and Academy Award winner Sir Ben Kingsley. More on the film here.

Saudi Road-Drama Hijra Selected as Kingdom’s Official Oscar Entry

The Saudi Film Commission has picked Hijra — a poetic road‑movie set in 2001 about a grandmother and her two granddaughters journeying toward Makkah — as Saudi Arabia’s official submission to the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.

Directed by Shahad Ameen, Hijra centers on the disappearance of one granddaughter during the pilgrimage, prompting the pair to navigate harsh desert terrain and uncover deep family secrets. Shot across locations like AlUla, Tabuk, NEOM, and Jeddah, the film weaves themes of generational identity and womanhood while spotlighting Saudi storytelling’s cinematic maturity.

THIS MONTH IN BUSINESS

Central Bank to Allow Use of Visitor ID to Open Bank Accounts

The Saudi Central Bank has unveiled a new policy to make banking more accessible to visitors by approving the use of the “Visitor ID,” issued by the Ministry of Interior, as valid identification when opening bank accounts across Saudi Arabia—effectively enabling banks to onboard a wider set of customers and streamlining verification via authorized digital platforms.

World Bank Opens New Regional Office in Riyadh

The World Bank announced the launch of a new regional office in Riyadh on 22 September, to support its work in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP) region.

The new hub will operate alongside the World Bank Group’s Gulf Cooperation Council office, with several senior leaders relocating to Riyadh, including the Vice President for MENAAP and key regional practice directors. Get the full story here.

For your calendar

Email Was Only the Beginning

Four years in the making. One event that will change everything.

On November 13, beehiiv is redefining what it means to create online with their first-ever virtual Winter Release Event.

This isn’t just an update or a new feature. It’s a revolution in how content is built, shared, and owned. You don’t want to miss this.