FSB is the most important trade fair dedicated to sports facilities in Europe. How did you come to the decision to locate it in Riyadh? Which is the connection with upcoming sports events, such as the Fifa World Cup 2034 with all the new infrastructure that is planned?

FSB Sports Show Riyadh is independent of upcoming major sports events! It is designed to look beyond them, focusing on the long-term future of urban living in Saudi Arabia. Our market research confirmed that Vision 2030 extends far beyond events such as the FIFA World Cup 2034 or the Asian Winter Games. The Kingdom is making significant investments in public, school, and amateur sports facilities to enhance public health and increase sports participation, especially among younger generations.

Projects like King Salman Park in Riyadh and sports-oriented developments in NEOM/Trojena highlight this commitment. These investments align perfectly with FSB Sports Show Riyadh’s mission, making it the ideal platform to foster innovation and partnerships in the region’s evolving sports infrastructure landscape.

FSB Riyadh will be held in June, why did you choose this time of the year for holding the fair?

Well, the Saudi market is currently experiencing a surge in professional trade exhibitions, leading to high demand for rare venue slots. As a result, we had to decide whether we use this available option for our inaugural event – or not. Based on the quick development in this sector, we prioritized giving the industry an early platform in this dynamic market rather than waiting until 2026. A later launch would have meant missed opportunities for companies looking to establish themselves in this rapidly evolving landscape.

What are the main differences between this edition and the one in Cologne, in terms of organization, resources, spaces and sectors represented?

At its core, FSB Sports Show Riyadh carries the same DNA as FSB Cologne: the commitment to showcasing cutting-edge solutions in sports and leisure infrastructure and fostering industry dialogue. However, the key distinction lies in the audience and market approach.

FSB Cologne is the world’s leading trade fair for sports and leisure facilities, attracting a truly global audience of professionals, from urban planners to stadium operators. It serves as the ultimate platform for international networking and knowledge exchange.

FSB Sports Show Riyadh, on the other hand, is specifically designed for the Saudi market. It is tailored to the unique needs of the Kingdom, reflecting the country’s ambitious Vision 2030 and its vast investments in sports infrastructure, public health initiatives, and urban development.

How is the overall participation and the Italian one in particular going?

Three months before the event, FSB Sports Show Riyadh is almost sold out, confirming the strong demand in this dynamic market. Interest from Italy is strong, and we are still talking with interested companies.

They understand that participating in an early edition will create a real first-mover advantage in this huge market. Companies joining in 2025 can establish early connections with Saudi partners, before competition intensifies in 2026. In the Arab world, long-term personal relationships matter more than just technical specifications, making early engagement crucial for lasting success.

Currently, we have 12 exhibitors from Italy, making it the leading European participant. This underscores Italy’s strong commitment to the Saudi market and its expertise in sports infrastructure.

What were and what are the critical points of this new edition?

Time to market was and still is the most important challenge. We only launched this event in November 2024 with its first edition to take place in June 2025. For interested exhibitors this time frame is challenging. However, leveraging the first mover advantages gives a boost in interest in this first edition. With dmg events as our experienced partner, we are confident to deliver a world-class trade fair that benefits all participants. And the enthusiasm and support from all partners and participants have been remarkable.