Six Flags
Source: Wikimedia

Thrill-seekers in Saudi Arabia, this one is for you! The kingdom is officially set to become home to a Six Flags amusement park by 2022. 

According to Arab News, the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has signed an agreement with Six Flags - the world's largest amusement company - to construct a theme park in Riyadh.

The park will be located in Qiddiya, the entertainment, sports, and cultural hub that is expected to be completed in 2022.

"We see great potential in the Saudi Arabian market," said the president of Six Flags

In a statement, the PIF explained the choice of location by hailing the Qiddiya project's role in boosting Saudi Arabia's economy.

"The first Six Flags-branded amusement park in the kingdom forms another part of the development of the sector which will help to create jobs and opportunities for Saudi young people," the PIF added.

Meanwhile, David McKillips, the President of Six Flags International Development Company, said the company looks forward to working with the PIF "to create a world-class entertainment destination for Saudi's young and dynamic population."

"We see great potential in the Saudi Arabian market," he explained

The popular U.S. theme park company first announced plans to expand the roller coaster empire into the kingdom in 2016. 

Six Flags CEO John Duffy made the announcement after meeting with then-Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

The move came as part of the kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030, which aims to dramatically increase cultural and entertainment opportunities within the conservative country.

What is the Qiddiya project?

Last April, the kingdom unveiled plans to build the major "entertainment city" that will be about the same size as Las Vegas.

Apart from a world-class theme park and a safari park, the project will include several cultural, sporting, and entertainment facilities. The kingdom's Public Investment Fund is the main investor in the project. 

"This city will become, by God's will, a prominent cultural landmark and an important center for meeting the future generation's recreational, cultural and social needs in the kingdom," Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud said at the time.

The kingdom has been keen on boosting its entertainment sector

As part of its plans to promote entertainment and diversify its economy, Saudi Arabia has launched several initiatives over the past year.

In the first two months of 2017, Riyadh and Jeddah hosted two major concerts that were considered the first in the kingdom in seven years.

In April 2017, Riyadh held a concert by a Japanese classical orchestra. The concert not only featured a mixed-gender orchestra and a female lead singer, but it was also attended by a mixed-gender audience. 

However, it hasn't just all been about music. The kingdom hosted its very own Comic-Con events in 2017 and 2018, welcoming top international stars from popular series like Game of ThronesBreaking Bad, and Hannibal.

In addition, just this week, Saudi authorities announced they will open the kingdom's first cinema - in over 35 years - on April 18. 

The announcement came soon after the kingdom finalized an agreement with AMC Entertainment Holdings - an American movie theater chain - which will see 40 theaters open in the kingdom in the next five years.