Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) of Saudi Arabia has awarded a monumental SAR 3.75 billion ($1 billion) contract for the construction of Six Flags Qiddiya. This visionary collaboration brings together Bouygues Bâtiment International (BBI), a subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, and Saudi Almabani General Contractors in a joint venture.
In a significant ceremony held at the Qiddiya Experience Centre, this transformative agreement was formalized, with a groundbreaking event marking the official commencement of construction.
Situated on the outskirts of Riyadh, Qiddiya is poised to become the ultimate hub for Entertainment, Sports, and the Arts, offering a comprehensive range of experiences encompassing Sports & Wellness, Nature & Environment, Parks & Attractions, Motion & Mobility, as well as Arts & Culture.
Covering an expansive 320,000 m² area, the theme park is set to feature 28 rides and attractions, including 10 thrilling rides and 18 tailor-made for families and young children. This exciting venture has seen notable progress during its conceptualization and design phase.
The project's lead design consultant services were awarded to SNC-Lavalin's Atkins business in October 2020, followed by the appointment of AESG as the specialist consultant for the project. Furthermore, Qiddiya Investment Company, in collaboration with Intamin Amusement Rides, embarked on designing the Falcon’s Flight earlier this year. This signature attraction for Six Flags Qiddiya is slated to become the world’s longest, fastest, and tallest roller coaster.
Abdullah Aldawood, Board Member and Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, stated, "This signing marks a significant stride towards creating the Kingdom’s premier Entertainment, Sports, and Arts destination. We are thrilled to collaborate with renowned construction firms like Bouygues Bâtiment International, and we eagerly anticipate the joint construction of Six Flags Qiddiya—a world-class theme park featuring innovative ride concepts."
Selim Bassoul, President and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, expressed delight, noting, "Our inaugural theme park outside North America will be an integral part of the iconic entertainment destination within the Kingdom. Six Flags' blend of thrills and entertainment perfectly resonates with Riyadh's youthful populace and the broader Middle East. Our park will contribute to Riyadh's quest to establish itself as a world-class living destination."
Pierre-Eric Saint-André, CEO of Bouygues Bâtiment International, affirmed, "We are privileged to be selected alongside our partner Almabani for the Six Flags theme park at the Qiddiya giga-project, set to become a significant entertainment nucleus in the Middle East. This collaboration offers us an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our prowess in supporting clients through export finance solutions and intricate infrastructure construction."
Joseph Daher, CEO of Almabani General Contractors, expressed honor in securing the contract for constructing a pioneering theme park in the Kingdom, aligned with the sustainability goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The theme park's rides and attractions are designed exclusively for Qiddiya, encapsulating the rich cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia. With its grand vision, Six Flags Qiddiya is set to reshape the entertainment landscape, becoming a hallmark of innovation and exhilaration.