Saudi Arabia opens 1st phase of Sports Boulevard with 5 key destinations

Sports Boulevard route

The board of directors of the Sports Boulevard Foundation, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, inaugurated the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project, comprising five destinations, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The destinations include Wadi Hanifa Destination, the Promenade Destination, the section between the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz I Road, the inner track of Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, and the first phase of the Sand Sports Park. The completed sections of the project now span 83 kilometers, with an overall completion rate of 40%.

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The launch of the first phase marks a milestone in one of Riyadh’s major development projects, which was unveiled by King Salman bin Abdulaziz on March 19, 2019. Closely overseen by the Crown Prince, the project aims to elevate Riyadh’s global ranking, positioning it as one of the world’s most livable cities.

The initiative supports a key objective of Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting physical, mental, and social well-being, fostering a high quality of life, and creating an engaging environment for residents and visitors of Riyadh.

This phase of the project is part of broader efforts to establish an innovative and sustainable urban renaissance, serving as an environmental artery that connects Riyadh from west to east. It aims to encourage sports activities, improve quality of life, and enhance community engagement in physical activities.

The first completed destination, Wadi Hanifa Destination, stretches 13.4 kilometers west of Riyadh, from Al-Alab Dam in the north to Jeddah Road in the south, passing through the Diriyah Gate project. It features dedicated tracks for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders, along with green spaces, rest areas, and cycling stop points. The destination is linked to the Promenade Destination via the project’s signature landmark—the Cycling Bridge.

The bridge, located at the intersection of King Khalid Road and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road, features two separate lanes: a one-kilometer pedestrian lane and a 771-meter cycling lane. It is designed to facilitate safe and sustainable mobility, enabling users to travel securely between Diriyah and the Promenade Destination.

The Promenade Destination extends 4 kilometers and is designed according to the urban code of the Sports Boulevard, inspired by the principles of Salmani architecture. It includes dedicated cycling tracks for professionals and amateurs, rest stops, green spaces, water features, family-friendly areas, children’s playgrounds, retail outlets, and specialized bicycle rental centers.

Another completed section of the project is the 300-meter stretch at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz I Road. This area features the "Art Tower," an artistic structure inspired by the high-voltage power towers that once lined Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road. The tower is adorned with geometric panels that reflect sunlight, creating a visually striking landmark for visitors.

The project also includes a circular inner track at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, spanning 20 kilometers. This track provides designated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, facilitating movement across the university’s facilities for students, faculty, and visitors.

The Sand Sports Park, the fifth completed destination in this phase, is located southeast of King Khalid International Airport. It features cycling tracks for professionals and amateurs, mountain biking trails, and dedicated horse-riding paths.

At the heart of the Sand Sports Park lies the "Najdi Rose," a central cycling circuit designed for professional cyclists. The park offers over 45 kilometers of cycling tracks and has been developed with more than 350,000 square meters of rehabilitated sand dunes. It also includes retail outlets and specialized centers for bicycle rentals and accessories. Future phases of the park will introduce additional sports facilities and buildings.

The five destinations of the Sports Boulevard project will open to visitors starting Thursday.

Earlier, the project inaugurated the tunnel at Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz I Road, aimed at improving traffic flow in Riyadh and enhancing mobility quality. Construction continues on the remaining destinations, including the extension of the Promenade Destination, the Valley Destination, the tunnels along King Abdulaziz Road and Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Road, in line with the project's approved timeline.

عبر مساراته المتنوعة ومرافقه الرياضية، وجهاتٌ استثنائية بانتظاركم في مشروع #المسار_الرياضي 🚴🏻‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/holX3Ny102

— المسار الرياضي (@SportsBlvdSA) February 26, 2025