High Profile Projects Announced with SAR 18.75 billion in Contract Awards in First Half of 2025 Drive Diriyah's Global Rise

Diriyah welcomed more than 3.6 million visits by mid-2025, strengthening its status as a vibrant and welcoming global destination since the opening of Bujairi Terrace and the historic At-Turaif District in December 2022. The city continues to advance toward its ambitious goal of attracting 50 million annual visits by 2030. At the same time, the total value of awarded contracts in the first half of the year reached a total of SAR 18.75 billion across 15 major agreements, underscoring the accelerating pace of progress in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

High Profile Contract Awards

The total value of awarded contracts reached SAR 18.75 billion, covering 15 agreements in total - six memorandums of agreement and nine contracts. Among the most significant were:

·      Power Stations - Diriyah Company inaugurated two main power stations valued at SAR 1.166 billion

·      Royal Diriyah Opera House –  Diriyah Company signed a SAR 5.1 billion joint venture contract with El Seif Engineering Contracting Co. Ltd., (ESEC), Midmac Construction Co. Ltd., and China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CSCEC), the world’s largest construction company, for the development of the iconic Royal Diriyah Opera House - Diriyah’s flagship performing arts venue and a major architectural landmark, setting new benchmarks for cultural performances in Saudi Arabia and the winter home for New York’s prestigious Metropolitan Opera.

·      KSU Utilities - Diriyah Company awarded a SAR 4.225 billion construction contract to a Joint Venture comprising China Railway Construction Corporation Limited Saudi Branch and China Railway Construction Group Central Plain Construction Co. Ltd (CRCCSA & CRCGCPC) to relocate the existing utilities and administration offices of King Saud University within the Diriyah masterplan.

·      Diriyah Square - A SAR 2.249 billion contract for construction work on the high-profile Diriyah Square retail precinct was awarded to Salini Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of Italian construction giant WeBuild, to build 73 individual buildings and 400 shell and core retail units over a built-up area of 365,340m2 and includes the facades, finishes and fit-outs of the units..

·      Diriyah Arena - Construction commenced on the 20,000-seat Diriyah Arena, following the award of a SAR 5.75 billion super block contract to the Branch of China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. The multi-purpose venue honors traditional Najdi architectural elements and is designed as a flexible and scalable venue to accommodate events such as concerts, sporting events, esports competitions, exhibitions, and live shows.

·      Luxury Hotel Residences - Expanding its portfolio of luxury hotel residences, Diriyah announced the sales launch of the Aman Residences, Amansamar in Wadi Safar, an exclusive collection of 34 villas. Designed with five and six-bedroom layouts and set on plots starting from 9,000 sqm, the villas offer privacy, expansive living spaces, and access to world-class amenities such as the Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, the Royal Diriyah Equestrian and Polo Club and Aman Spa Diriyah also announced the exclusive launch of Armani Residences Diriyah, which will feature 15 limited-edition units with curated interiors by the late Giorgio Armani in Diriyah Square, in addition to The Chedi Residences Wadi Safar, which will feature 20 branded private villas.

Impactful Presence

Beyond construction and development, Diriyah has also established a strong footprint on the global stage, showcasing its vision at leading international events and forums. With more than 25,000 visitors engaged across multiple exhibitions, Diriyah’s presence was highlighted at the STF Exhibition in Riyadh, ITB Berlin, ATM Dubai, ITB China, and ILTM Asia Pacific. Complementing these efforts, Diriyah was also promoted in Paris, Rome, and London, further strengthening its international visibility, with unique experiences such as the Diriyah pop-up in Harrods and the opening of Diriyah House Experience Center at One Hyde Park in London. In January Diriyah Company participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos for the first time and once again promoted its real estate projects at MIPIM in Cannes.

Diriyah Company commitment to the local community was showcased again as it launched a series of initiatives and campaigns to empower young talent and drive innovation. Among the most notable were the fifth edition of the Diriyah Graduate Development Program, designed to equip and inspire the next generation of Saudi individuals, and the Smart City Initiative, aimed at enhancing quality of life through advanced infrastructure, operational efficiency, and real-time data in an effort to optimize management, improve user interaction, and deliver a seamless experience for both residents and visitors of Diriyah. Diriyah Company also launched the third edition of the Engineers Development Program, empowering local professionals and creating new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

To further strengthen its visual identity, Diriyah introduced its signature color, Diriyah Tan, developed in collaboration with the global Pantone Institute to reflect the city’s historical and cultural heritage. The unique shade has been derived from a rich blend of mud brick materials, capturing the essence of traditional Najdi construction and being used in numerous ways across The City of Earth.

Historic Visit

In a historic moment, HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman accompanied U.S. President Donald Trump on a tour of Diriyah alongside Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo. Their visit included the historic At-Turaif District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the Kingdom.

This landmark occasion- the first-ever visit by a sitting American president to Diriyah- carried both political significance and cultural symbolism, celebrating the strong ties between the two nations and marking a proud moment in the Kingdom. 

During the same period, Diriyah welcomed the guests of the Saudi Media Forum 2025, inviting them on an immersive journey through the Kingdom’s ancient history, rich culture, and the heritage of Diriyah.

Leadership and Excellence

In the first half of 2025, Diriyah Company elevated its global profile with recognition from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. TIME Magazine named Diriyah Company among the 100 Most Influential Companies in the World, making it only the second Saudi company, after Aramco, to receive this distinction. This milestone reflects Diriyah Company’s growing impact across innovation, sustainability, culture, and economic development.

Adding to its achievements, Diriyah FC’s football team captured the Saudi Second Division League title with a 1-0 victory against AlUla FC in the final. The team is now preparing to compete in the First Division League, determined to continue its ascent in domestic football.

Several of Diriyah’s landmarks, including Bujairi Terrace, Wadi Hanifah, and Zallal, have been featured in the global edition of Monopoly, underscoring the city’s cultural and historical prominence on the world stage.

Reinforcing its leadership across multiple fields, Diriyah has earned a series of prestigious awards since January 2025. Among the most notable are the Best Sustainable Tourism Development Project Award, the Excellence in Sustainability Award, and the Innovation in Urban Design Award. The city was also added to the World’s Travel Green List 2025, published annually by the British platform Wanderlust.

Diriyah has further consolidated its institutional and professional standing with multiple accolades and certifications. These include the SAP Award for Human Resources Management Modernization, the Excellence in Local Content Award, and the Best Design and Décor Award for Layali Diriyah. The Wadi Safar project received three certifications from the Mostadam program after meeting all sustainability criteria. Diriyah Company also achieved two ISO certifications in sustainable practices and Business Continuity Management Systems, reflecting its dedication to operational resilience, sustainability, and global best practices.

Diriyah Company is preparing to welcome visitors during Riyadh Expo 2030 across its portfolio of 40 hotels, as part of its steady progress toward the goal of becoming a global destination attracting 50 million annual visits by 2030. Positioned as Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage gateway to the world, Diriyah continues to advance toward this ambitious vision.

In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, Diriyah’s projects are expected to contribute more than SAR 70 billion annually to national GDP and create 180,000 job opportunities, reinforcing the Kingdom’s economic growth and transformation.