[Mega Edition] 2024 Sports and Esports Seasons in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Esports World Cup (EWC) 2024 Viewership
Recommended Reading
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![[Exclusive] Get ready to rock your favorite esports team's jersey and munch on your beloved gaming creator's meal in Riyadh!](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!qKuE!,w_140,h_140,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F56fd1534-3c46-4468-b2f8-214bb58b62a5_2048x1367.jpeg)
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GSIQ (Link)
2024/25 ROSHN Saudi League [Saudi Pro League (SPL)]
Matchweek 1 — EWC Round
Attendance
Recommended Reading
![[Exclusive] Saudi Pro League (SPL) "Big Four" Fandom](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PiYF!,w_140,h_140,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8fb4796a-d24d-4cf2-bb33-2afd6346f4ed_2048x1050.jpeg)
![[Exclusive] How many fans turn up to watch a Saudi Pro League (SPL) club in action?](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!JSxq!,w_140,h_140,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7809c654-cbf4-4d8d-87dd-570d4e1dcef7_2048x1363.jpeg)
Ticket Prices
Webook is the Official Ticketing Platform of the SPL for three years, starting from the 2024/25 season.
SPL Partners with Webook as league’s Official Ticketing Platform
“Ticket pricing will remain affordable, with a minimum price set at SAR10 (USD 3) and 30 percent of stadium seats capped at SAR30 (USD 8) or less. In terms of seat allocation, as per league regulations, the split will remain 70-30 between home and away fans.” (SPL, 2024) (Source)
MSKhan Lab Insight
Recommended Reading
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![[Special Edition] How much do fans have to shell out to watch top-tier sporting action in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)?](https://substackcdn.com/image/youtube/w_728,c_limit/4IhurUy5YMY)
![[Riyadh Season 2023] How much does it cost to watch Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi in Riyadh?](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!m_hX!,w_140,h_140,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5eeea659-174d-4c52-a500-1362d777d5a2_600x600.jpeg)
Television (TV) Advertisers in KSA
Food and Beverage (F&B) (4)
E-commerce (2)
Healthcare (1)
Personal Care (1)
Telecommunications (1)
2023/24 SPL Documentary
Watch “Symphony” here: Link
2024/25 Diriyah Saudi Super Cup
Winner
Broadcasters
Attendance
Ticket Categories and Prices
KSA Cinema Screenings
Muvi Cinemas Locations (Nine locations across six cities)
Riyadh
The View
U Walk
Park Avenue
Nakheel Mall
Jeddah
Mall of Arabia
Dhahran
Mall of Dhahran
Dammam
Nakheel Mall Dammam
Buraydah
Nakheel Plaza Buraydah
Unayzah
The Boulevard Unaizah
VOX Cinemas Locations (Nine locations across three cities)
Riyadh
Atyaf Mall
Riyadh Park
ROSHN Front
Sahara Mall
The Esplanade
The Roof
Hail
Hail Square
Jeddah
Jeddah Park
Town Square
Recommended Reading
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Accommodation
Al-Hilal — Citadines
Al-Nassr — Nivel Hotel
MSKhan Lab Insight
Both hotels are listed as “Team Base Camp Hotels” in the Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2034 Bid Book.
Recommended Reading
2024/25 SPL Club Kits
[Analysis] 2024/25 Al-Nassr (KSA) Kit Launch
MSKhan Lab Insights
Al-Nassr is the first and only SPL club to have launched its latest kit on Roblox.
130 minutes was the daily average play time on the virtual universe of Roblox, a long-term favorite played by 1 in 2 children worldwide (Qustodio Annual Data Report 2023, 2024) (Source).
Recommended Reading
Roblox’s Pedophile Problem (Bloomberg, 2024) (Link)
The internet’s biggest recreation zone for kids is fighting to keep predators away, and it’s not always winning.
MSKhanLab Insights
The 2024/25 Al-Nassr Ronaldo Home Jersey was not available on the official adidas online store in Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, and Türkiye on launch day.
The price of the Al-Nassr Ronaldo Home Jersey has increased from SAR 448 (2023/24) to SAR 499 (2024/25) (11%↑) in KSA.
[Analysis] 2024/25 Al-Hilal (KSA) Kit
MSKhan Lab Insights
The 2024/25 Al-Hilal jersey is not available on the official PUMA online store in Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, and USA as of Sunday, August 11, 2024.
The price of the replica version of the Al-Hilal jersey has remained unchanged in the UAE.
![[Must Read] A power-packed edition featuring MSKhan Lab's first on-the-ground report and KSA's esports and gaming strategy](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!YCeY!,w_140,h_140,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6dd6824e-7a62-4fce-8ec9-f90afa139262_3000x4000.jpeg)
[Analysis] 2024/25 Al-Ittihad (KSA) Kit
2024/25 Al-Ahli (KSA) Kit
2024/25 Al-Fateh (KSA) Kit
2024/25 Al-Fayha (KSA) Kit
2024/25 Al-Ettifaq (KSA) Kit
2024/25 SPL Match Ball
MSKhan Lab Insight
Match Ball Suppliers of GCC Soccer Leagues
Adidas — Saudi Pro League (Saudi Arabia) and Qatar Stars League (Qatar)
Nike — UAE Pro League (United Arab Emirates)
Kelme — Oman Professional League (Oman)
Molten — Kuwait Premier League (Kuwait)
[KSA Thobe] Al-Fakhera X Al-Hilal (KSA)
MSKhan Lab Insights
Al-Hilal has signed a first-of-its-kind Saudi outfitter sponsorship deal in SPL.
[2023/24] Mashar was the front-of-shirt partner of Al-Tai (KSA).
[Qamis] Émile-Samory Fofana X Adidas
[2024/25] Tombolini is the Official Formal Wear Partner of Al-Nassr (KSA).
[2024/25] BALR is the Official Off-Pitch Fashion Partner of Al-Shabab (KSA).
![2023/24 ROSHN Saudi League [Saudi Pro League (SPL)] Commercial Guide](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!1QrV!,w_140,h_140,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe029d86c-9b11-4791-bd36-0ea17888005e_960x720.png)
[Ticket Categories and Prices] Juan Rojas Memorial Trophy 2024
Recommended Reading
EWC 2024 Celebrity Show Match
[Ticket Categories and Prices] World Snooker Tour (WST) Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters 2024
Recommended Reading
Snooker Innovation: Golden Ball (Riyadh Season Ball)
167, instead of 147, will be the maximum break11 in Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker 2025, with the prize for the “super maximum” doubled to USD 1 million.
167 Rules
The golden ball will sit on the baulk cushion at the start of every frame. The baulk cushion is at the top of the table.
The golden ball will only become active if a player has potted 15 reds, 15 blacks, and all the colors. If that happens, the player can pot the golden ball. That is the only time that a player can pot the extra ball.
If a player accidentally pots the golden ball before clearing the table, the referee will call a foul, and the player will concede four points to his opponent.
If a maximum break is no longer possible, the referee will remove the golden ball from the table. It will return for the next frame (DAZN, 2024) (Source).
[Ticket Categories and Prices] AFC Asian Qualifier 2026
[Ticket Categories and Prices] Professional Fighters League (PFL)
MSKhan Lab Insight
The price of the “Front Row” ticket category for PFL MENA events in the Kingdom has increased from SAR 575 (USD 153) to SAR 850 (USD 227) (48%↑).
Recommended Reading
[Ticket Categories and Prices] Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals Riyadh 2024
[2024/25 SPL] Al-Ittihad (KSA) Season Tickets
[2024/25 SPL] Al-Qadsiah (KSA) Season Tickets
[2024/25 SPL] Is it cheaper to purchase individual match tickets to attend Al-Nassr’s (KSA) home fixtures than a season ticket?
MSKhan Lab Insights12
The price of Al-Nassr’s most expensive season ticket is 3.2 times the price of Premier League’s (PL) most expensive season ticket.
Al-Nassr’s Membership Lounge = SAR 46,286 (GBP 9,535)
Fulham’s Riverside Stand = SAR 14,563 (GBP 3,000)
The price of PL’s cheapest season ticket is 2.2 times the price of Al-Nassr’s cheapest season ticket.
Newcastle United = SAR 1,675 (GBP 345)
Al-Nassr = SAR 750 (GBP 154)
Back to School With Al-Hilal (KSA)!
Al-Hilal Pencils = SAR 4 (USD 1)
Al-Hilal Color Pencils = SAR 9 (USD 2)
Al-Hilal Backpack = SAR 109 (USD 29)
Al-Hilal Package (Backpack, Pencils, Color Pencils, and Brooch) = SAR 151 (USD 40)
Food and Beverage (F&B) Partnerships
[F&B Delivery in Mexico] Rappi X FC Barcelona (ESP)
Barça Kitchen, the first blaugrana home delivery food service
“FC Barcelona is venturing into the food delivery sector with the creation of Barça Kitchen, the first on-demand cuisine service with a Barça twist. The project is being launched in partnership with Rappi, the leading home delivery company in Latin America and the Official Delivery Partner of FC Barcelona.
The Rappi app now features a menu inspired by the FC Barcelona universe, available any day of the week, and of course, at special times like match days. The options include the 125th Anniversary Burger, the Masia Chicken Sandwich, and Barça Nachos, with the possibility of adding a Catalan touch with some allioli sauce, which isn't usually available in Latin America.
The menu is available to users in Mexico City, one of the largest cities in the world with over 9 million inhabitants, and in six other Mexican cities, namely Monterrey, Guadalajara, Toluca, Saltillo, Puebla, and Mérida.
It is all part of the partnership agreement between Rappi and FC Barcelona, which aims to provide unique, innovative experiences to Barça fans, with the goal of building an authentic and long-lasting emotional connection with the Latin American audience, which is so famously passionate about all things football.
The deal with Rappi is thus making an active contribution to the growth and expansion of FC Barcelona in Latin America, a region with major commercial potential for the club. It also further consolidates the Barça name as a benchmark for sports sponsorships with companies across diverse sectors.” (FC Barcelona, 2024) (Source)
38 Barça Kitchens13 menu across Mexico →
MSKhan Lab Recommendation
Potential localized menu of a similar nature for a SPL club [Al-Hilal (KSA)]
Al-Malaki Kabsa
Al-Malaki (The Royal) is Al-Hilal’s nickname.
Considered a national dish in the Kingdom, Kabsa is a traditional one pot rice dish served with chicken, lamb, or meat.
Tornado Shawarma
The Torando is Al-Hilal’s electric winger Salem Al-Dawsari’s nickname.
Shawarma is a popular street food in the Middle East region.
Blue Wave Slushy
Blue Wave refers to the traditional synchronized cheers and celebratory dances by Al-Hilal fans at Al-Hilal matches.
Slushy is a beverage made of flavored ice crystals.
Al-Hilal Ma’amoul
Ma’amoul is a cookie filled with fruits and nuts and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Ma’amoul in the shape of a crescent moon (Al-Hilal) would be the cherry on top.
Shark, Saudi Clásico, CHAMP19NS, and CHAMPI8NS Combos
Shark is Al-Hilal’s mascot.
Saudi Clásico is the match between fierce rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad.
19 in CHAMP19NS represents Al-Hilal’s 19 SPL titles.
8 in CHAMPI8NS represents Al-Hilal’s eight Asian Football Confederation (AFC) titles.
[Adana Kebab in Türkiye] 2024/25 Adana Demirspor Kulübü (TUR) Kit Launch
Trendyol Süper Lig club Adana Demirspor tapped into Adana’s culinary culture15 for its latest kit launch video.
Adana, Türkiye, home of Adana Demirspor, is a culinary paradise, famous for its delicious and unique dishes (Visit Turkey, 2024) (Source).
No visit to Adana is complete without tasting the world-renowned Adana Kebab (Visit Turkey, 2024) (Source).
Adana Kebab
“When it comes to Adana Cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is Adana Kebab.
Adana Kebab is a culture, beyond being a type of food in Adana. “Barbecue” is an indispensable fixture of Adana. So much so that even the skewers of the kebab are specially made by the blacksmiths.
Prepared by considering all the factors that will affect the taste for Adana kebab meat; must be one or two-year-old male lamb meat, free of nerves, rest for a day and minced with armor. Lavash lightly soaked in light, mash and shepherd’s salad with it; Kebab with lots of greens and of course onion salad with sumac and turnip Adana’s favorite.
We recommend everyone who travels to Adana to taste the Adana Kebab, which turns into a visual feast with the salads and appetizers served with it.” (Türkiye, 2020) (Source)
Promoting food tourism16 has numerous benefits such as boosting visitor arrivals, increasing destination brand equity, and driving export demand for the area's F&B products (World Food Travel Association, 2024) (Source).
Culinary placemaking17 will enable Türkiye to achieve its aim of welcoming over 70 million tourists in 2028 (TRT World, 2023) (Source).
Notable F&B Collaborations
[Shawarma in KSA] PUBG Mobile X Shawarmer
Recommended Reading
[Shawarma in KSA] POWR X Shawarmer
[Burger in UAE] Call of Duty X Burger King (Link)
[Meal Box in KSA] Team Falcons (KSA) X Kudu
MSKhan Lab Insight
Kudu has sold 800,000 Falcons Loot Boxes in three weeks (Source).
Recommended Reading
Loot boxes in video games (House of Commons, 2024) (Link)
When players open a loot box in a video game they get a random item. Some liken loot boxes to gambling, although they aren't covered by gambling regulation.
[Beverage in KSA] Team Falcons (KSA) X Barn’s Coffee
[Pepsi Diner at EWC, Riyadh] Pepsi X Black Tap
[H2O in UAE] evian X The Championships, Wimbledon
evian is the Official Water of The Championships, Wimbledon, since 2008 (evian, 2024) (Source).
Further Reading
Mountain of Youth Sport Limited Edition (Link)
[Beverage in UAE] Más+ by Messi
[Electric Vehicle (EV) in USA] Riyadh Season Card
[Exclusive] Athlete Partnership Underpinning Middle East Expansion!
Saudi fragrance brand Ibraheem Al-Qurashi partnered with Brazilian superstar and current Al-Hilal (KSA) player Neymar to launch its perfume, Brazilian Tobacco, in March 2024.
Neymar is one of the world’s most marketable athletes (SportsPro, 2023) (Reference).
Recommended Reading
[Exclusive] Soccer Sponsorship Underpinning Middle East Expansion! (Cotti Coffee X Argentina National Football Team)
[2024/25 Soccer Season] How much does it cost for a soccer club in the Kingdom to access the services of a foreign referee crew for a single fixture?
SAR 175,000 (USD 46,667) for a crew of four officials.
SAR 219,000 (USD 58,400) for a crew of five officials.
MSKhan Lab Insight
This cost has remained unchanged since the last season.
[2024/25 Transfer Announcement Videos] Al-Shabab (KSA)
Al-Shabab’s Media and Communication Department is arguably the best in the Kingdom when it comes to transfer announcement videos.
Part I: Abderrazzak Hamdallah (Morocco)
Part II: Jack Bonaventura (Italy)
Part III: Wesley Hoedt (Netherlands)
[2020 Transfer] Éver Banega (Argentina)
Source [X (formerly Twitter)]: VisitSaudiAR
Source [X (formerly Twitter)]: AlNassrFC_EN
Source (YouTube): adidasFootball
Source [X (formerly Twitter)]: AlHilal_EN
Source [X (formerly Twitter)]: ALAHLI_FCEN
Source [X (formerly Twitter)]: EnFatehclub
Source [X (formerly Twitter)]: AlfayhaSC_en
Source [X (formerly Twitter)]: AlHilal_EN
The president and owner of UD Almería is H.E. Turki Alalshikh [Chairman, General Entertainment Authority (GEA), KSA].
The most amount of points a snooker player can score in a single visit to the table in snooker.
Reference (The Athletic): Revealed: The results of our Premier League season ticket survey
The overall culinary and gastronomy heritage of a destination. This includes customs, traditions, recipes, dishes, cooking techniques, utensils, cooking stories, unique ingredients, and history (World Food Travel Association, 2024) (Source).
The act of traveling for a taste of place in order to get a sense of place (World Food Travel Association, 2024) (Source).
This describes a destination development strategy to put a destination on a food lover’s map by identifying all food and beverage (F&B) resources, bringing them together, weighing their value, assessing market forces, and engaging fundamental stakeholders (World Food Travel Association, 2024) (Source).
The sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom, Public Investment Fund (PIF), has invested in Lucid.
Source [X (formerly Twitter)]: AlShababSaudiFC
Source [X (formerly Twitter)]: AlShababSaudiFC
Source [X (formerly Twitter)]: AlShababSaudiFC