In October 2025, the city of Riyadh became the centre stage for an unprecedented gathering of global entertainment, sports, media, and innovation at JOY Forum 2025. From Hollywood actors and K-pop stars to sports legends and tech visionaries. The event underlined Saudi Arabia’s ambition to shape the future of leisure and creative culture. With high-profile announcements, multi-billion-dollar partnerships, and a star-packed attendee list. The forum didn’t just reflect an industry moment — it signalled a shift in global entertainment dynamics. Here’s what you need to know.
One of the headline outcomes of JOY Forum 2025 was the signing of agreements worth SR 4 billion (Saudi Riyals) to fuel new global entertainment initiatives. The event opened with a keynote by Turki Al‑Alshikh, Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA). Who framed the deals as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda—moving the Kingdom from energy dependence into a diversified, creative economy.
Highlighted deals include agreements with major sports entertainment brands such as WWE (including plans to bring WrestleMania in 2027) and a global boxing league in collaboration with Dana White. On the music and film front. Partnerships with Warner Music and Atlantic Records were announced for the establishment of regional hubs aimed at tapping into both Arab and global content markets.
These moves reflect a broader shift: entertainment is no longer a side industry but a strategic pillar for national growth, cultural soft-power, and international collaboration.
JOY Forum 2025 brought together some of the most recognizable names across film, music, sport and digital content. For example, Bollywood legends Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan were seen interacting with Korean stars such as Lee Byung‑Hun and Lee Jung‑Jae. Creating viral social-media moments that highlight entertainment’s global convergence.
The forum also featured streaming phenomena like MrBeast and esports personalities such as IShowSpeed. Underlining the growing importance of digital creators in shaping the next era of mass entertainment.
While the glitz and glamour captured attention. The underlying narrative was about collaboration across borders—voices from Hollywood, Bollywood, K-Drama, global sports, and gaming sharing one platform in Riyadh. This mix signals that the Kingdom wants not just to host star appearances, but to host a global entertainment ecosystem.
Beyond celebrities and deals, JOY Forum 2025 placed a strong emphasis on emerging formats and technologies shaping entertainment’s future. The agenda was divided into seven tracks covering areas like Gaming & Esports, AI & Entertainment, Video Content, and Theme Parks & Experiences.
Speakers included leading tech-and-media executives who discussed how AI, virtual production, and immersive experiences are changing how stories are made and consumed. For instance, Korean directors talked about building IPs that translate globally, and sports figures explored how athletes become entertainment brands.
The announcement that the first phase of the Qiddiya entertainment city (including a flagship Six Flags park) will launch soon was a clear signal that Saudi Arabia sees physical experiences as equally important as streaming and content.
Such forward-looking sessions reinforce that the forum is more than a showcase. It’s a blueprint for where the entertainment industry is headed.
For media companies, creators, and investors, JOY Forum 2025 offers several key takeaways. First, it confirms that the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia. Becoming a major international hub for entertainment investment, partnerships and production. This could mean more demand for regional content, more co-productions, and more opportunities for creators from diverse geographies.
Second, the blending of sport, gaming, film and digital content shows that the traditional boundaries between sectors are dissolving. A streaming show now needs to think of live experiences, virtual engagement, gaming spin-offs and global outreach. The forum underscores the era of entertainment as experience.
Third, for content creators and gamers, this moment signals opportunities. Whether you’re a YouTuber, game developer, or producer, the ecosystem is expanding. The presence of figures like MrBeast and IShowSpeed shows that digital native talent is now centre stage. With global recognition and commercial value.
JOY Forum 2025 in Riyadh was more than a conference—it was a declaration of the new era in entertainment. With SR 4 billion in partnerships, a star-studded line-up, and visionary technology discussions. The event marked Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving role in the global creative economy. Whether you’re a filmmaker, streamer, gamer, or investor, the signals from the forum are clear. The future of entertainment is cross-border, digital-first, and experience-driven. The question now is: WHO will create the next big global entertainment moment—and WHERE will it happen?
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