Saudi Arabia–France Business Deal: Qiddiya Plans €6 Billion Entertainment Project Near Paris
Paris 24 August 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Investment Company is reportedly preparing a major expansion into France, with plans for a large-scale entertainment and theme-park destination near Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris.
The proposed project, valued at approximately €6 billion, would represent one of the most significant Saudi-linked entertainment investments in France and could strengthen economic ties between Riyadh and Paris.
The development is expected to include three major theme parks, immersive attractions, hospitality facilities, retail areas and entertainment venues. Among the most anticipated elements are attractions inspired by the globally popular Dragon Ball franchise, which could help the project appeal to international visitors and younger audiences.
A New Saudi Entertainment Venture in France
Qiddiya Investment Company is a key vehicle of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy beyond oil and develop tourism, entertainment, sports and cultural industries.
Qiddiya is already associated with a major entertainment and sports city under development near Riyadh. The proposed French project would extend the company’s international ambitions and position Qiddiya as a global entertainment brand rather than a destination focused solely on the Saudi market.
The planned site near Cergy-Pontoise could benefit from its proximity to Paris, one of the world’s most visited cities. Its location in the Île-de-France region would provide access to a large domestic population, international tourists and Europe’s extensive transport network.
Three Theme Parks and Dragon Ball-Inspired Attractions
According to the reported plans, the project would feature three large theme parks designed to offer different forms of entertainment and immersive experiences.
The Dragon Ball-inspired attractions are expected to be among the project’s headline features. The franchise has a substantial following across France, Europe and other international markets, making it a potentially powerful draw for visitors.
The development could include themed rides, interactive zones, live entertainment, restaurants, retail outlets and character-based experiences. However, the final scope of the attractions will depend on planning approvals, commercial agreements, licensing arrangements and detailed project design.
The inclusion of internationally recognised intellectual property could also help the destination compete with established European entertainment resorts.
Investment Could Reach €6 Billion
The reported investment of approximately €6 billion would place the project among the largest proposed entertainment developments in France.
Such an investment could generate activity across several sectors, including:
- Construction and engineering
- Hospitality and tourism
- Transport and infrastructure
- Retail and food services
- Entertainment and media
- Technology and digital experiences
- Security and facility management
The project is also expected to create significant employment opportunities. Estimates linked to the proposal suggest that up to 22,000 jobs could be generated, including both direct positions within the parks and indirect employment across suppliers, contractors, hotels, restaurants and local businesses.
The number of jobs and the timing of recruitment would depend on the project’s final design, construction schedule and operating model.
Potential Economic Impact for the Paris Region
For the Cergy-Pontoise area, the proposed development could bring new investment, tourism and infrastructure improvements.
Local authorities and businesses could benefit from increased visitor spending, higher demand for accommodation and new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises. Restaurants, transport operators, retailers, event companies and tourism providers could all gain from the arrival of a major international destination.
The project could also encourage improvements to roads, public transport, utilities and digital infrastructure. However, large developments of this scale typically require detailed assessments of traffic, environmental impact, land use and public services.
The economic benefits will therefore depend on how the project is integrated into the surrounding communities and how effectively local authorities manage its long-term development.
Strengthening Saudi Arabia–France Relations
The proposed Qiddiya project comes amid broader economic and diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and France.
France has long maintained commercial ties with Saudi Arabia in sectors including energy, defence, transport, construction, luxury goods, tourism and culture. Saudi investment in France could further expand this relationship by creating new links in entertainment, hospitality, media and tourism.
For Saudi Arabia, the project would provide an opportunity to showcase its investment capacity and international business ambitions. For France, it could attract substantial foreign capital and support the development of a new tourism and entertainment hub.
The deal also reflects a wider trend in which Gulf investment groups are seeking opportunities in global markets while European destinations compete for major international projects.
Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Strategy
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme seeks to transform the Kingdom’s economy and society by increasing non-oil revenues, expanding tourism and creating new industries.
Entertainment is a central part of that strategy. The Kingdom has invested in concerts, sporting events, cultural festivals, cinemas, theme parks and large-scale tourism developments.
Qiddiya is intended to become one of the flagship projects of this transformation. Its planned French expansion would demonstrate how Saudi companies are attempting to export their entertainment expertise and build international partnerships.
The project could also support Saudi Arabia’s goal of developing global brands capable of attracting visitors, investors and creative talent from around the world.
Questions Over Planning, Licensing and Delivery
Despite the scale of the announcement, several important details remain to be confirmed before construction can begin.
The project would likely require approval from national, regional and local authorities. Planning procedures could involve environmental reviews, transport studies, land-use assessments and consultations with local communities.
The developers would also need to finalise agreements relating to intellectual property, particularly for any Dragon Ball-themed attractions. Licensing arrangements, construction contracts, financing structures and operating partnerships would be essential to the project’s delivery.
The timeline for construction and opening has not been fully established. Large entertainment developments often take several years to design, approve and build, particularly when they include multiple theme parks and supporting infrastructure.
Competition in Europe’s Theme-Park Market
If completed, the Qiddiya project would enter a competitive European entertainment market.
France already attracts millions of visitors to major destinations, including Disneyland Paris, Parc Astérix and other cultural and leisure attractions. A new Saudi-backed resort near Paris would need to offer distinctive experiences, strong transport connections, competitive pricing and high-quality hospitality to establish itself in the market.
The project’s potential advantage would be its combination of large-scale investment, international branding and immersive attractions based on globally recognised entertainment properties.
Its success would also depend on visitor demand, operating costs, seasonal performance and the ability to attract tourists beyond the Paris region.
A Potential New Landmark Near Paris
The proposed Qiddiya development could become a major new landmark in the Paris region if it moves forward as reported.
With an estimated €6 billion investment, three planned theme parks, Dragon Ball-inspired attractions and the potential to create up to 22,000 jobs, the project would have significant implications for France’s tourism and entertainment industries.
It would also mark an important step in Saudi Arabia’s effort to expand Vision 2030 internationally and establish Qiddiya as a recognised global destination brand.
For residents and businesses near Cergy-Pontoise, the project could bring new opportunities as well as challenges related to transport, planning and local development. For visitors, it could offer a new entertainment destination within reach of Paris.
The next stage will be the clarification of the project’s official structure, planning status, investment commitments, construction timetable and licensing agreements.
If those elements are successfully completed, Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya project could become one of Europe’s most closely watched entertainment developments and a new symbol of Saudi–French economic cooperation.
Editorial Note
The reported investment value, job estimates, project components and development timeline should be independently verified against official announcements, planning documents and statements from Qiddiya Investment Company, French authorities and relevant licensing partners before publication as confirmed facts.
Paris Telegraph News Desk
Paris Telegraph is an independent France-based digital news platform covering Paris news, French politics, European affairs, global business, diplomacy and artificial intelligence.
Publishing timely reporting and in-depth analysis, Paris Telegraph provides international perspectives on geopolitics, economic developments, technology innovation and cultural trends shaping Europe and the world.
As a growing online media outlet, Paris Telegraph is committed to credible journalism, global insight and forward-looking analysis for readers seeking reliable news from Paris and beyond.