The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and World Football Summit (WFS) announced a landmark institutional partnership for WFS Asia 2024, marking a strategic alignment set to transform the football business landscape in the region. The event, taking place in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) on December 2-3, 2024, builds upon last year’s successful launch, attracting over 1,500 global industry leaders.
This hosting is supported by SMC, the exclusive commercial partner for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and World Football Summit (WFS). This edition builds on the success of the inaugural WFS held last year in Jeddah, which saw the participation of numerous athletes over two days of strategic discussions, networking, and accelerating commercial and sporting opportunities.
This partnership amplifies Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the sports landscape and directly supports Vision 2030’s ambitious goal of increasing the sports sector’s contribution to 2.5-3% of the national GDP. The expanded 2024 edition expects to welcome more than 2,000 delegates, featuring enhanced programming and networking opportunities.
The Secretary General of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Ibrahim bin Sulaiman Al Qasim, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership:
«Hosting WFS Asia in Riyadh underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing football not just nationally but across the entire region. This event aligns perfectly with our Vision 2030 goals. We invite the entire football community to join us so we can learn from each other and elevate the business around the beautiful game.»
«The overwhelming response to our first edition demonstrated the region’s appetite for a world-class football business event,» said Jan Alessie, Co-Founder & Director of World Football Summit. «Our return to Saudi Arabia reflects the nation’s dynamic emergence as a pivotal hub for football development and innovation.”
Khalid Al-Khudair, CEO of SMC, highlighted the significance of hosting the event in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the support and commitment of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to the development of football. He stated: «We are proud at SMC to enhance commercial opportunities in the football industry, both locally and internationally through strategic partnerships that contribute to the growth of sports marketing in the Kingdom.»
The event is expected to draw a diverse crowd, including top executives, players, media representatives, and thought leaders from across the global football ecosystem. With hundreds of high-profile speakers expected to participate, and the involvement of local Saudi Arabian businesses such as SMC or The Althari Group, WFS Asia 2024 is set to become the flagship event in the World Football Summit portfolio.
The key themes for the 2024 edition demonstrate the program’s alignment with Vision 2030 as it includes:
- Football Technology Integration
- Fan Engagement Innovation
- Sports Tourism Development
- Sustainability in Football
- Women’s Football Growth
- Youth Development Programs
The event will also feature enhanced networking opportunities, including exclusive roundtable discussions and a gala dinner to celebrate the WFS Honors, facilitating meaningful connections among industry professionals, which will prove to be instrumental in creating long-lasting partnerships and opportunities for Saudi-based businesses.
In the 2023 edition, some of the high-caliber speakers that were involved included Adwa Al Arifi, the distinguished Assistant Minister of Sports Affairs for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John, General Secretary at the Asian Football Confederation, Hammad Albalawi, Head of the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup™ 2034 bid unit, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Peace Nobel Laureate and co-founder of Yunus Sports Hub, or Lamia Bahaian, Vice President of SAFF. At the same time, football rights holders such as the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr, LALIGA, Serie A, and clubs like Atlético de Madrid, Chelsea, Juventus or Bayer 04 Leverkusen were among the list of participants.
The continued presence of WFS underscores Saudi Arabia’s dedication to fostering a rich sporting culture and its capacity to host major international events.
For more information and registration details, please visit asia.worldfootballsummit.com.
