Oil is the word most commonly associated with the Middle East. For over half a century, the region’s economy has relied heavily on it. The discovery of oil—also called black gold—changed the region’s fortune, transforming once-struggling economies into global symbols of growth, luxury, and affluence.
But then the tides changed. The very source that fueled the Middle East’s rise began losing favor, forcing countries to seek alternatives and rethink their economic future. They needed a new solution—an alternative almost as transformative as oil—to sustain their economies while upholding their commitment to sustainability and revolutionary growth. Their choice? Sports.
Today, the Middle East hosts some of the world’s biggest sporting events in football, motorsports, tennis, golf, and cycling. Even combat sports like the UFC and WWE are getting in on the fun, and so are investors from around the world who want to diversify their portfolios and capitalize on the exponentially growing Middle Eastern sports market.
The Grand Entry
In 2008, the Abu Dhabi United Group bought Premier League club Manchester City—the first major full acquisition of a top-tier football club by Middle Eastern investors. The acquisition completely transformed the club’s fate; once seen as the quieter—or less recognized—neighbors of footballing giants Manchester United, they became one of the country’s and the world’s most successful teams, winning multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and even the UEFA Champions League.
Since the acquisition, Manchester City has spent over $1.5 billion in transfer fees, signing some of the world’s best players and managers while also investing heavily in upgrading the club’s infrastructure and facilities. Today, according to Forbes, Manchester City is valued at $5.1 billion, making it the 31st most valuable sports team in the world.
Since then, major club acquisitions have taken place, including the purchase of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011 and the acquisition of Newcastle United by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2021.
The Impact
The Middle Eastern investors didn’t stop at European acquisitions. They soon turned their gaze inward, revolutionizing local clubs and leagues. In 2023, the Saudi Pro League underwent a major transformation.
During the summer of 2023, they spent more than most of the top leagues in the world, including La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy), Ligue 1 (France), and the Bundesliga (Germany). Only the English Premier League—a league with significant Middle Eastern investment—spent more. The season saw global stars like Neymar Jr., Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mané move to Saudi Arabia.
However, they weren’t the biggest names to make the Middle East their new home. This surge in the Saudi Pro League was sparked by none other than one of the greatest footballers in the world and a global icon, Cristiano Ronaldo. He completed his transfer in 2022, moving from Manchester United to Al Nassr.
Today, Middle Eastern leagues are competing at levels never seen before. Even teams in the UAE Pro League have stepped up. In May 2024, Al Ain became the first UAE team to win the AFC Champions League.
Are other sports entering the Middle East too?
Football isn’t the only sport to embrace the Middle East for its financial viability and lucrative investment potential, nor is it the first. Formula 1 was the first sport to move its marquee event—the Grand Prix—to the region in 2004. Five years later, Formula 1 reached Abu Dhabi, and in 2021, it arrived in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Beyond motorsports, mega-events in tennis, cycling, and golf have also been frequently held in the Middle East, including the ATP and WTA (tennis), the DP World Tour Championship (golf), and UCI World Tour cycling events.
Recently, the region has caught the attention of combat sports as well, including boxing, UFC, and WWE. Major fights are now regularly held in the Middle East, with countries like Saudi Arabia at the epicenter of this eastward sports expansion.
Even American sports are now embracing the region—particularly the NBA—which has hosted six preseason games in the UAE over the past three years.
How does it benefit you?
The eastward expansion of sports presents an incredible opportunity for investors worldwide to capitalize on emerging trends and maximize their returns. With popularity comes expansion, and expansion drives growth, making sports a compelling investment alternative for those looking to diversify and strengthen their portfolios with high-return assets.
Whether or not you are interested in the Middle East market, the eastward expansion of sports is an opportunity that modern investors—from any part of the world—should not ignore.
Building a healthy, profitable portfolio requires understanding the market and adapting to changing trends. With reliance on oil declining rapidly, exploring new industries has become a necessity for the Middle East. The rulers of the Middle East have chosen sports. Now, as an investor, the decision is yours: ride the trend or sit on the sidelines and watch as the Middle East ignites the sports industry and the portfolios of those who trusted the tides.
How do I invest in sports?
Investing in sports is becoming easier as more people turn to this new alternative to diversify and strengthen their portfolios. Now, you can also become a sports investor by signing up on Stryde. The platform provides you with instant access to private equity funds and an opportunity to invest in new, emerging markets like sports.
