{
  "id": 10284829,
  "title": "Riyadh Season 2026 to begin on October 21 with 10 weeks of entertainment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/riyadh-season-2026-to-begin-on-october-21-with-10-weeks-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T19:04:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/riyadh-season-2026-to-begin-on-october-21-with-10-weeks-of-entertainment-1.500689955"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Riyadh Season 2026 is set to commence on October 21, ushering in a 10-week extravaganza of entertainment, sporting events, concerts and cultural experiences across the Saudi capital. Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) in Saudi Arabia, revealed the kickoff date in a promotional video, positioning Riyadh as a hub for major international events. The season, branded under the \"Big Time\" theme, will offer a diverse lineup of activities, including major boxing and wrestling contests, UFC bouts, the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament, and concerts by prominent Saudi, Arab and global artists. The annual festival will also feature theatrical productions, stand-up comedy, family-friendly entertainment, and the return of Boulevard World, a global cultural hub. This year, the zone will expand with three new country pavilions representing the Netherlands, Portugal and Yemen. Riyadh Season 2026 will also see the reopening of Boulevard City with fresh entertainment offerings, as well as Wonder Garden, a venue featuring rides, attractions and activities. Other highlights include The Groves, the Farmers' Market, and the Arabia exhibition at VIA Riyadh. The season builds upon Riyadh's growing reputation as a leading destination for leisure and cultural events, aligning with the kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Riyadh Season 2026 will kick off on October 21, launching 10 weeks of entertainment, international sporting events, concerts and cultural experiences across the Saudi capital. Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced the start date for the seventh edition of the festival, which will be held under the “Big Time” slogan. Get updated faster…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "Riyadh Season 2026 to kick off on October 21",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/riyadh-season-2026-to-kick-off-on-october-21",
        "published": "2026-09-27T15:32:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}