Following a steep 51 percent drop in event ticket sales during the first half of the year, Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry has shown a robust recovery. This initial decline was attributed to the onset of the US-Iran war in February, which created uncertainty and disruptions, significantly affecting the events sector.
According to Platinumlist, a Saudi-based entertainment discovery platform, ticket sales increased by 34 per cent in Q2, following a difficult Q1. The average ticket price fell from $30 to $18, down around 40 per cent, while the average order value declined around 20 per cent.
Cosmin Ivan, CEO at Platinumlist, stated that growing private-sector participation is one of the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 entertainment agenda. “The continued growth of Platinumlist’s organiser base, even during a difficult first half of the year, and the arrival of new market operators reflect that direction and help keep the event calendar active as audiences return,” Ivan said.
The recovery was driven by several factors, including Saudi Arabia’s participation in the FIFA World Cup, which led to a surge in demand for live sport events. The live sport category more than doubled, driven by demand around FIFA World Cup fan zones.
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Entertainment activity is now growing beyond Riyadh and spreading across the Kingdom, with ticket sales in Jeddah increasing by 300 per cent since 2024. Consumer habits are also changing, with the audience becoming more repeat-driven, accounting for 25 per cent of sales, up from 10 per cent in 2024.
Ivan noted that customers are planning their entertainment spending further ahead, with sign-ups for Platinumlist Plus membership increasing more than five times after its launch. Around 17 per cent of Saudi members chose a six-month or annual plan instead of a monthly subscription.
Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector is projected to grow ten-fold over the next few years. The next stage of growth is likely to come from a broader regional event calendar and more repeat-driven consumer behaviour.
Cosmin Ivan and his team at Platinumlist are likely to play a key role in this growth, given the platform’s position in the Saudi entertainment market.
