It was late December 2024, and the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh felt like the center of the universe. Or at least, the center of the boxing world. Oleksandr Usyk had just outpointed Tyson Fury for the second time, cementing his status as the undisputed heavyweight king and effectively pushing "The Gypsy King" into a short-lived retirement. Honestly, if you’d told a boxing fan five years ago that the biggest fights in history would happen in the middle of a desert instead of the MGM Grand or Wembley, they’d have laughed in your face.
But here we are.
Boxing in Saudi Arabia isn't just a trend anymore. It's the new reality. Whether you love the "sportswashing" debate or you’re just happy to finally see the best fight the best without five years of Twitter bickering, the landscape has shifted. Permanently.
The Turki Alalshikh Effect
You can't talk about this without mentioning "His Excellency" Turki Alalshikh. He’s the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), and basically, he’s the guy with the checkbook. But it’s more than just money. It’s a complete lack of patience for the "promoter politics" that have poisoned boxing for decades.
For years, we watched Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren act like two kids fighting over a toy in a sandbox. They wouldn't talk. They wouldn't trade. Then Alalshikh stepped in. He basically said, "I’ll pay you both so much money that you'd be stupid not to work together."
And it worked.
Suddenly, we got the "5 vs 5" tournament. We got the undisputed heavyweight crowning. We got cards where the opening fight would have been a main event on any other network. He’s treating boxing like a video game where he’s unlocked the "infinite cash" cheat code, but he’s also using it to force the matchups fans actually want.
It's Not Just About the Heavyweights
Most people think Saudi is only interested in the big boys. The 200lb+ giants. Not true.
While the Fury-Usyk saga took the headlines, Riyadh Season has started digging into the lighter weight classes. They’ve signed massive deals with guys like Canelo Alvarez—reportedly a four-fight, $450 million package. They’ve brought Terence Crawford into the fold. Even the WBC Boxing Grand Prix, which launched in early 2025, involved 128 boxers from 40 different countries.
They are essentially trying to build a "Boxing League" modeled after the UFC.
Think about that for a second. In the UFC, Dana White decides who fights. In boxing, it’s usually a mess of four different sanctioning bodies (WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO) and twenty different promoters. Saudi Arabia is trying to centralize it. They want 12 major events a year, plus four "super-fights." They want a ranking system that actually makes sense.
Why the "Empty Arena" Narrative is Dying
A common criticism you'll hear is that the atmosphere in Saudi is "dead." Critics point to the rows of wealthy dignitaries sitting silently in the front rows while the "real fans" are priced out or can't get visas.
That was true-ish in 2019 during the Joshua-Ruiz rematch. It’s less true now.
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The Kingdom has been aggressively opening up. Tourist visas are easier to get than ever. They’ve built the ANB Arena and the Kingdom Arena specifically for these sights and sounds. When you watch the broadcasts now, the crowd is louder. There’s a growing local boxing scene, too. The Saudi Boxing Federation is pumping money into grassroots gyms. They aren't just importing talent; they're trying to grow it so they eventually have a home-grown champion to cheer for.
The Financial Reality (It’s Not Profitable)
Let’s be real: these events lose money. A lot of it.
The purse for a single high-profile Riyadh Season card can top $150 million. Between the ticket sales, sponsorships, and those $20 PPV prices Alalshikh loves, the revenue often struggles to hit $100 million.
So why do they do it?
It’s part of Vision 2030. The goal isn't to make a profit on a boxing ticket; it's to change the global perception of Saudi Arabia. They want to be a tourism hub. They want you to think of Riyadh the way you think of Las Vegas or Macau. Boxing is the "loss leader." It’s the flashy neon sign that gets you in the door.
What This Means for Your Saturday Night
If you’re a fan, the "Saudi Era" is a golden age for your eyeballs and a weird time for your soul.
- No more marinating: Fights that used to take three years to negotiate are happening in three months.
- Cheaper PPVs: Alalshikh has been vocal about hating the $80 PPV model. He’s pushed for lower price points ($20-$30) to kill piracy and get more eyes on the screen.
- Stacked Undercards: You no longer have to sit through four hours of "prospects" fighting taxi drivers before the main event.
But there’s a catch. The "soul" of boxing—those gritty, beer-soaked nights in York Hall or the electric atmosphere of a packed Madison Square Garden—feels a bit diluted when it's replaced by a high-tech, clinical stadium in the desert.
What’s Next for Boxing in Saudi Arabia?
The momentum isn't slowing down. As we move through 2026, the talk is all about the "Boxing League" launch. Partnering with TKO (the parent company of the UFC), the Saudis are looking to create a permanent infrastructure for the sport.
We’re likely going to see more international "Riyadh Season" events in London and Los Angeles, too. They’ve realized they don't have to hold every fight in the Kingdom to control the sport. They just need to own the platform.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you want to keep up with how the sport is changing, here is how to navigate the new landscape:
- Watch the "Riyadh Season" Schedule: Don't just look at the big names. The undercards in Saudi are where the real value is right now.
- Monitor the League Developments: The shift toward a UFC-style league will change how belts work. Don't be surprised if the traditional sanctioning bodies (like the WBC) start to lose their power.
- Check for Lower PPV Prices: Before you search for a "stream," check the official price. Often, the Saudi-backed fights are significantly cheaper than the old-school promoter cards.
Boxing is moving away from the smoke-filled rooms of the 20th century and into a state-funded, high-gloss future. It’s bigger, richer, and faster. Whether it’s "better" is something fans will be arguing about long after the final bell rings in Riyadh.