A major turning point came in 2017 when physical education was introduced into girls’ public schools for the first time, followed by the opening of stadiums to women and families, steps that marked the beginning of a new era for women’s sports in Saudi Arabia.
Over the past few years, female participation in sports events has grown significantly. According to the Saudi Sports for All Federation, Saudi women’s participation in the Riyadh Marathon increased from 18.7 percent in 2022 to 25.8 percent in 2026.
Shaima Al-Husseini, managing director of the federation, said the numbers reflect ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive and supportive sports environment that takes cultural and social considerations into account while encouraging healthier lifestyles.
Among the inspiring stories is Saudi football player Majd Al-Otaibi, who began playing football at a young age while living abroad before witnessing the rapid development of women’s football after returning to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Otaibi explained that opportunities available today are dramatically different from previous years, noting that families and communities have become increasingly supportive of women participating in football and other sports.
She also expressed hopes of playing professionally abroad in the future to further develop her skills and eventually represent Saudi Arabia at the highest level.
Saudi women are also making progress in padel. Player Sawsan Al-Hindi shared her experience of starting the sport during her studies in Australia in 2022 before transitioning into competitive play and achieving top regional rankings inside the Kingdom.
She emphasized that access to tournaments, structured competitions, and professional coaching played a key role in her development as an athlete.
According to Vision 2030 data, more than 70,000 girls are currently participating in school sports leagues across Saudi Arabia, supported by a growing workforce of over 1,000 coaches and trainers dedicated to developing women’s sports.
The continued growth of female participation highlights the Kingdom’s broader investment in youth talent, professional sports infrastructure, and opportunities that empower Saudi women to compete both locally and internationally.
