"Ronaldo Endorses Saudi Tourism's 'Unreal Calendar' Campaign, Citing Initial Interest in Football as His Motivation for Involvement"
In an exciting development, Saudi Arabia has unveiled a new tourism campaign featuring football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The campaign, named "Unreal Calendar", aims to showcase the Kingdom's diverse, year-round sports and entertainment events held across Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla.
Ronaldo, who plays for Riyadh's Al-Nassr, has become the face of sports in the Kingdom since joining the team in 2022. The Portuguese football icon has extended his contract to stay in Riyadh until 2027, expressing his admiration for Saudi Arabia's blend of tradition and future-oriented ambition.
The campaign was launched on Tuesday with a 60-second video narrated by Ronaldo. The video showcases several top sporting events hosted in Saudi Arabia, as well as cultural and heritage activities. The marketing push is being launched in several key markets in Europe, as well as India and China, with the Saudi Tourism Authority targeting these regions as part of a global rollout aimed at positioning Saudi Arabia as a year-round destination for sports, culture, and entertainment under Vision 2030.
Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb reiterated Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a global destination for cultural authenticity, world-class events, and unforgettable experiences in the tourism sector. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, views the campaign with Ronaldo as a showcase of Saudi's current state and ambitions, with tourism being a core component of their vision.
Saudi Arabia is set to host several major international events in the coming years. The Kingdom is scheduled to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, AFC Asian Cup 2027, Esports Olympics Games 2027, and Asian Winter Games 2029. Alongside these high-profile sporting events, Saudi Arabia is also hosting several major international events such as the Esports World Cup, Formula 1, LIV Golf Riyadh, tennis, and the Saudi Pro League.
The campaign offers curated packages to make it easier for visitors to attend these events in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is investing $800 billion into the sector as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, with the tourism market projected to reach $22.4 billion in value and contribute $16.5 billion to GDP by 2030.
Ronaldo believes that Saudi Arabia is where the future of sport is being written, due to the energy of the fans and the scale of ambition. He expressed his excitement about being part of the campaign, stating that Saudi Arabia is a place where dreams come true.
The "Unreal Calendar" campaign is just one example of Saudi Arabia's efforts to grow into a major sporting and cultural destination for foreign and domestic travelers. As the Kingdom continues to expand its offerings, it is poised to become a global hub for sporting and cultural attractions.
