Saudi Arabia is entering a new era of leisure—one defined by experiences, stories, and smiles. At the heart of this transformation stands Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company with a bold mandate: to build the Kingdom’s modern entertainment industry from the ground up.
From cutting-edge cinemas and immersive theme parks to multi-purpose entertainment complexes, SEVEN is rewriting what leisure looks like in Saudi Arabia. It is not merely offering amusement; it is redefining a nation’s relationship with joy, recreation, and cultural engagement.
As the Kingdom continues to pivot away from oil dependence and toward a more diversified economy under Vision 2030, SEVEN is the entertainment engine powering this shift—with strategic investments, global partnerships, and a sharp focus on quality of life and social impact.
A PIF-Born Powerhouse with a Clear Mandate
SEVEN was launched in 2017 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund. Its mission was clear: catalyze the entertainment ecosystem, create thousands of jobs, attract investments, and most importantly, provide world-class leisure options for Saudi citizens and residents.
Until recently, public entertainment was limited in Saudi Arabia. With cinemas banned for decades and theme parks almost nonexistent, leisure revolved largely around malls and private gatherings. SEVEN has changed that narrative.
Under PIF’s strategic leadership and capital strength, SEVEN is building infrastructure and attractions that didn’t exist before, giving rise to a new Saudi entertainment economy—diverse, family-friendly, and in sync with global standards.
A National Footprint: Entertainment for Every Region
SEVEN’s approach is not just about building in Riyadh or Jeddah—it is about nationwide transformation. The company is developing 21 entertainment destinations across 14 Saudi cities, ensuring regional equity and widespread cultural access.
Each complex is designed to include:
- Cinemas with the latest projection and sound technology
- Indoor and outdoor theme parks with rollercoasters, VR rides, and water features
- Bowling alleys, arcades, and immersive gaming lounges
- Dining zones featuring international and local cuisines
- Live performance stages for music, theatre, and comedy
- Green areas and plazas designed for public interaction
This national rollout reflects the company’s broader mission—to ensure every Saudi family has access to world-class entertainment within a short drive from home.
The Rise of Cinemas: A New Story for Saudi Audiences
One of SEVEN’s most visible and symbolic contributions has been in reviving cinemas across the Kingdom. After a 35-year ban, cinemas were legalized in 2018, and SEVEN was among the first to capitalize on this cultural shift.
Partnering with international and regional operators, SEVEN has launched state-of-the-art cinemas that do more than show films—they offer immersive experiences:
- IMAX and 4DX formats
- Luxury seating and VIP lounges
- Interactive concession areas
- Themed environments catering to children, families, and cinephiles
Cinemas are now more than a place to watch movies—they are cultural gathering points that stimulate creativity, debate, and storytelling within the local community.
Global Partnerships, Local Impact
To accelerate its offerings, SEVEN has established strategic alliances with top international players in entertainment and infrastructure. These partnerships bring proven expertise and cutting-edge technology to Saudi Arabia.
Some notable collaborations include:
- AMC Theatres for cinema operations
- Thinkwell Group and IDEATTACK for theme park and destination design
- Compagnie des Alpes for amusement park development
- Cinépolis and Muvi Cinemas to diversify cinema experiences
- Hasbro and Transformers™ for branded family entertainment zones
While these partnerships bring global credibility, SEVEN ensures that each project reflects Saudi culture and values, blending international excitement with local authenticity.
Building the Kingdom’s First World-Class Theme Parks
SEVEN’s ambition goes beyond screens and stages—it is constructing Saudi Arabia’s first large-scale theme parks, incorporating thrilling rides, cultural narratives, and educational entertainment.
Some flagship projects include:
1. Riyadh Entertainment Complex
This mega site includes a multi-theme indoor amusement park, water slides, retail areas, and a cinema complex—all integrated into a single urban destination.
2. Tabuk SEVEN Destination
This facility combines theme parks with a cultural village, positioning Tabuk as a northern entertainment hub with a mix of tradition and innovation.
3. Abha, Jazan, and Buraidah Projects
These upcoming venues bring unique regional flavors and offer tailored experiences, focusing on regional identities and heritage-infused attractions.
Each park incorporates eco-friendly design, safety-first engineering, and a deep commitment to entertaining while educating. Children can play while learning about sustainability, science, and national heritage—turning fun into foundation.
The Economic Multiplier Effect
SEVEN is not only in the business of entertainment—it is in the business of economic impact.
With billions of riyals invested in infrastructure, technology, and training, SEVEN is creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the Kingdom. These include:
- Engineers, architects, and construction workers during development
- Artists, designers, and storytellers in content creation
- Event planners, venue managers, and performers in operations
- Chefs, marketers, technicians, and customer service staff in hospitality
As SEVEN’s venues grow, so too will Saudi Arabia’s creative economy, offering meaningful careers in arts, media, and leisure industries that were previously underdeveloped.
Furthermore, the company supports Saudi SMEs by integrating local brands into food courts, souvenir shops, and event programming—fueling entrepreneurial growth.
Cultural Soft Power Through Entertainment
Entertainment is more than amusement—it’s soft power, and SEVEN knows this.
By investing in platforms that enable Saudi stories, voices, and talent to flourish, SEVEN is helping reshape global perceptions of the Kingdom. Cinemas screen Saudi films. Concert halls host Saudi musicians. Cultural zones showcase Saudi crafts and traditions.
This soft power contributes to a broader diplomatic narrative: a Saudi Arabia that is youthful, joyful, and confident in its identity.
Digital Integration and Smart Entertainment
SEVEN’s ventures are also rooted in the digital future. Many entertainment complexes will include:
- Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) zones
- Gamified attractions driven by AI and interactive storytelling
- Mobile apps that integrate ticketing, loyalty programs, and real-time feedback
- Smart crowd management and data analytics for seamless visitor experiences
By embracing tech-enabled leisure, SEVEN is catering to Saudi Arabia’s digitally native population and positioning itself as a regional innovator.
Pre-Conclusion: Entertainment as an Engine of Transformation
What SEVEN is building cannot be measured only in screens or rollercoasters. It is measured in new ways of life.
A child in Tabuk can now dream of becoming a filmmaker after visiting a local cinema. A young woman in Riyadh can attend a stand-up comedy night with friends. A family in Abha can spend an evening at a theme park that honors their region’s history while introducing global concepts of fun.
Through cinemas, SEVEN is nurturing a culture of storytelling. Through theme parks, it is encouraging curiosity and adventure. Through nationwide venues, it is making entertainment a shared language across generations and regions.
The economic impact is just as profound. Tourism is growing. Jobs are being created. Local businesses are finding new audiences. Youth are discovering careers in sectors their parents never imagined.
And culturally, SEVEN is helping Saudi Arabia open up—not just to the world, but to its own potential for joy, expression, and community.
By building physical places for fun, SEVEN is laying the foundation for emotional infrastructure—a happier, more connected society.
Conclusion
Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) is not simply an entertainment company—it is an agent of national transformation. Backed by the vision and resources of the Public Investment Fund, SEVEN is turning the Kingdom into a regional leader in leisure, creativity, and cultural vitality.
Whether it’s through a cinema in Hail, a theme park in Dammam, or a concert in Jeddah, SEVEN is changing what it means to live, laugh, and learn in Saudi Arabia.
This is leisure with purpose. Fun with foresight. Joy with strategy.
And as the Kingdom advances toward Vision 2030, SEVEN’s legacy will not just be in what it built—but in how it made an entire nation feel.
