Board of Directors of “Sports Path” Announces Opening of First Phase of Sports Path Project in Five Destinations
Under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Chairman of the Council of Ministers, the Board of Directors of the Sports Boulevard Foundation announced the opening of the first phases of the Sports Boulevard project. The project includes five destinations: Wadi Hanifa, Promenade, the area between Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Road, the internal route of Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University, and the first phase of the Sports Sands Park. The total length of the project so far is 83 kilometers, with 40% completion.
The opening of the first phase of the Sports Boulevard project is a major project for the city of Riyadh, which was launched by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on March 19, 2019. The project has been closely followed by the Crown Prince as it aims to enhance Riyadh’s position in the global rankings, making it one of the best cities to live in the world. This is in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to promote physical, mental, and social health, create a community with a high quality of life, and provide a positive environment for the residents and visitors of Riyadh.
This opening is part of the foundation’s efforts to establish an innovative and sustainable urban renaissance, connecting Riyadh from west to east with an environmental artery. This will enable residents and visitors to engage in various sports activities and improve their quality of life by promoting sports activities throughout the community.
The completed destinations of the project include Wadi Hanifa, which extends 13.4 kilometers from Al-Ilb Dam in the north to Jeddah Road in the south, passing through the Diriyah Gate project. It features pedestrian, cycling, and equestrian paths, as well as green areas, rest stops, and bike rental stations. Wadi Hanifa is connected to the Promenade through a cycling bridge located at the intersection of King Khalid Road and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road. The bridge has separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, aiming to enhance safe and sustainable mobility from Diriyah to the Promenade on Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road.
The Promenade spans 4 kilometers and follows the urban code standards of the Sports Boulevard project, inspired by Salmanian architectural principles. It includes cycling paths for professionals and amateurs, rest stops for cyclists, green areas, water features, picnic areas, playgrounds, and bike rental outlets. The section located at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road with Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Road features the Art Tower, an artistic work inspired by high-voltage electricity towers. It serves as a prominent landmark for visitors to the project.
The completed destinations also include the internal circular route of Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University, which extends 20 kilometers and includes designated cycling and pedestrian paths, facilitating access to the university’s facilities. The Sports Sands Park, located southeast of King Khalid International Airport, offers cycling tracks for professionals and amateurs, mountain biking trails, and equestrian paths. The park features the Najdi Rose cycling tracks and extends over 45 kilometers, with over 350,000 square meters of sand dunes converted for recreational use, along with bike rental outlets and facilities.
The remaining phases of the Sports Sands Park project will include additional buildings and sports facilities. The five destinations of the Sports Boulevard project will be open to visitors starting tomorrow, Thursday, February 27, 2025. For more information on these destinations and how to access them, please visit the Sports Boulevard website at www.SportsBoulevard.sa.
It is worth mentioning that earlier, the Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Road tunnel was opened to improve traffic flow in Riyadh and enhance transportation quality. Construction work continues on the remaining phases of the project, including the Promenade, Wadi destination, King Abdulaziz Road tunnel, and Abu Bakr Al Siddiq Road tunnel, following the approved plan for project implementation.
