Riyadh Participation Data Points to Changing Local Fitness Habits

Riyadh Municipality data released this week recorded 1.2 million visits to city sports facilities in the first six months of 2026, a 22 percent increase over the same period last year.

The figures arrive as national health targets under Vision 2030 push for wider access to exercise options in the capital, where summer temperatures often limit outdoor movement to early morning or evening hours.

Usage at Specific Riyadh Sites

Al-Olaya Sports Center on Tahlia Street logged 185,000 entries between January and June, with evening group sessions drawing the largest crowds. Further east, the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium complex in the Al-Malaz district hosted 92,000 participants in its public running tracks and indoor halls during the same stretch, according to facility logs. Both locations operate under the Riyadh General Sports Authority and offer free entry for basic track use alongside paid classes.

Program records indicate that structured fitness sessions at these sites now account for 38 percent of total visits, compared with 29 percent in 2024. Monthly membership passes at Al-Olaya cost 180 Saudi riyals, while Al-Malaz charges 150 riyals for access to its air-conditioned halls.

Patterns Behind the Numbers

Breakdowns by age group show residents aged 25 to 40 making up 61 percent of recorded users, with women comprising 47 percent of that cohort. Weekend slots at both centers fill faster than weekday ones, and the authority noted a 15 percent rise in family package sign-ups since March.

The authority plans to open online booking for additional evening slots at Al-Olaya and Al-Malaz starting 1 August, with details listed on its website and at the facilities themselves.