ASM Global has been appointed as the main operator for two venues within a planned mixed-use destination in
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The 20,000-seat Jeddah Arena and the International Convention Centre Jeddah will form part of the Airport City project, which will be based adjacent to the King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah.
ASM Global has been appointed by SARH Real Estate Investment to provide design expertise and management of the two venues, which are set to open in December 2025.
The megacity district project has been billed as the “ultimate live-work-play lifestyle destination” linked 
by train to KAIA and the city of Jeddah. The Jeddah Arena and ICC Jeddah will be complemented by three to five-star hotels, a shopping mall, parklands, a business centre, residential sector, and other recreational amenities.
Harvey Lister, chairman and chief executive of ASM Global in the Asia-Pacific and Gulf region, said: “ASM Global is looking forward to being an integral part of the team to deliver this visionary project in Jeddah. We pride ourselves on joining forces with partners with whom we know we can make a difference to creating and delivering amazing experiences.”
Sultan Al-Harbi, chairman of SAHR Real Estate Investment, added: “Upon analysing the significant importance of both the iconic arena and convention centre, it was only fitting to appoint the global giants in the venue and entertainment industry, ASM Global, to collaborate on this landmark project for Jeddah and Saudi Arabia.”
The agreement bolsters ASM Global’s presence in the Middle East. The company operates the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and was recently appointed as the managing operator of the new Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre in Sakhir.
The construction of the Jeddah Airport City project is expected to begin by the end of 2021, with work hoping to be completed by December 2025.
