Setup, Operate and Grow Your Media & Creative Business in Saudi Arabia

Football remains a crucial catalyst for the sustained growth of the Saudi sports sector, which is likely to reach a market volume of $22.4 billion by 2030.

As such, the football media landscape is undergoing profound change, transforming into a multifaceted industry that brings investments and global interest, ushering in a new era for increased football fan engagement in Saudi Arabia.

Capitalizing on the ongoing momentum, Footballco, the leading UK-headquartered football content and media company, has deepened its investments and on-ground presence in the Kingdom with the launch of its regional headquarters (RHQ) in Riyadh.

In 2022, the global digital advertising agency Assembly Global expanded to Saudi Arabia and has since proven to be a key player in this rapidly growing sector in the Kingdom.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the US-headquartered Assembly Global has a presence in 25 markets in Europe, MENA, North America, and APAC. It employs over 1500 employees operating from its global offices.

The staggering pace with which Saudi Arabia embraces digital transformation goals has brought about a dramatic surge in demand for global expertise and business consulting capabilities of Assembly Global. As a result, the global firm has consistently identified Saudi Arabia as a fast-growing market for its services.

Worldwide, digital advertising has opened up new avenues for businesses, allowing them to expand their reach and target a broader clientele with precision. Teads is one company that assists businesses in bolstering their digital advertising capabilities by adopting a data-driven and programmatic approach. That way, it enables them to effectively measure advertising outcomes, deliver contextually relevant, dynamic content, and unlock troves of value-creation opportunities.

Leveraging a workforce of 1200 people in 50 offices across 30 countries, Teads, a prominent industry leader in the advertising technology (adtech) space, has been diligently working to propel companies in Saudi Arabia forward to new heights in their digital advertising game, orchestrating their next growth chapter. Across its global markets, Teads enables advertisers (buyer) to reach 1.9 billion unique monthly users and ensure they achieve better outcomes and deliver the ROI on their media spending. Using Teads, publishers (sellers) can maximize the value and reach of their digital content.

7awi Media Group continues to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia, reshaping digital storytelling through localized, audience-driven content.

Catapult, the global full-service live experience agency with offices in Dublin, London, New York, and LA, has announced its strategic expansion into Saudi Arabia. The company's entry into the Kingdom is supported by AstroLabs, the Gulf's leading business expansion platform.

Aurora Media Worldwide, a multi-award-winning production house providing content services across live and non-live channels, has just announced its expansion to Saudi Arabia and the opening of its new office, facilitated by AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading expansion platform.

5dVR, a virtual reality content and production studio, has expanded to Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading business expansion platform. The move aligns with 5dVR’s mission to enable a wider range of businesses across multiple industries to adopt and make use of augmented reality (AR), mixed reality and virtual reality (VR) technologies.

Incepted in 2016, the Cairo-based company specializes in the creation of immersive experiences and provides bespoke solutions to cater to the unique needs of its clients across a variety of sectors.

The updated 2025 report draws on 1,200+ international companies to introduce the first Saudi Success Index, identifying localization, compliance, and market integration as top success drivers, while urgency to enter increased by 33% YoY.

The 2023 Saudi Market Entry Report analyzed responses from 660 high-growth firms, revealing a fourfold acceleration in market entry timelines (from 8–12 months down to ~2 months), and that 91% of entrants hire local talent within 4 months.

AstroLabs releases the first comprehensive guide to Saudi Arabia’s construction sector, outlining over 30 regulatory requirements, licensing steps, and key public and private stakeholders. Designed for local and international players, this guide simplifies entry into one of the Kingdom’s fastest-growing industries and aligns with Vision 2030 development priorities.

The guidebook, titled “Inside the Kingdom’s Tourism Draw,” offers a nuanced understanding of the immense potential of tourism to foster economic growth and drive the Kingdom’s diversification, detailing how the sector has fared over the past years.

Catapult, the global full-service live experience agency with offices in Dublin, London, New York, and LA, has announced its strategic expansion into Saudi Arabia. The company's entry into the Kingdom is supported by AstroLabs, the Gulf's leading business expansion platform.

Cross Works (XW), a global award-winning cross-disciplinary design & technology firm, has expanded to Saudi Arabia and chosen the Kingdom as its Regional Headquarters in the GCC. The move marks the company’s official foray into Saudi Arabia with support from AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading business expansion platform.

5dVR, a virtual reality content and production studio, has expanded to Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading business expansion platform. The move aligns with 5dVR’s mission to enable a wider range of businesses across multiple industries to adopt and make use of augmented reality (AR), mixed reality and virtual reality (VR) technologies.

Aurora Media Worldwide, a multi-award-winning production house providing content services across live and non-live channels, has just announced its expansion to Saudi Arabia and the opening of its new office, facilitated by AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading expansion platform.

Footballco has strengthened its presence in the Kingdom with the launch of its regional headquarters in Riyadh, underscoring rising demand for localized, content-driven football engagement in the lead-up to landmark events such as the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

A clear walkthrough of obtaining foreign investment licenses—covering license types, entity structures, required documentation, and application processes.

Selecting the right business structure, whether a subsidiary or a branch office, is one of the initial steps towards setting up a business in Saudi Arabia. This guide will help you navigate the processes and requirements for each type.

Compliance with Saudization requirements is a non-negligible aspect of a complete business setup and company registration in Saudi Arabia.

This compliance places foreign companies on a path towards sustainable financial growth, making them uniquely positioned to bid on governmental projects and gain access to financial support and incentives for training programs.

As exciting as it is to expand into Saudi Arabia, many companies can be unaware of the regulatory matters necessary to get their operations off the ground. While market entry remains the primary focus, if a company is unprepared for change, it risks falling behind due to poor operational readiness.

We’ve prepared this guide to answer key questions around hiring and employment compliance in Saudi Arabia, helping businesses new to the market navigate regulatory requirements, manage risk, and establish operations compliantly from day one.

Drawing on our experience working with over 900 firms that have already set up a business in Saudi Arabia, we address the most common misconceptions about company formation, highlighting the gap between widespread assumptions and the realities of doing business in the Kingdom.

​​Join us for an insightful session as we explore what it takes to launch and expand your business in Saudi Arabia.
We’ll cover licenses, legal requirements, key regulations, and setup costs - giving you a practical roadmap to navigate the Saudi landscape.

​​Don't miss this chance to get expert tips on budgeting, planning, and making informed decisions for a smooth expansion.

​Get ready to unlock the Saudi market! Join us as we dive into the biggest trends, opportunities, and lessons from 2025, and explore what’s on the horizon for 2026. Our experts will share insider tips on market entry, winning strategies, and building a strong local presence.

​Whether you’re planning to expand to Saudi Arabia or aiming to grow your existing footprint, this webinar will give you actionable insights to stay ahead. Stick around for the live Q&A to get your burning questions answered and take your expansion plans to the next level!

Join our bite-sized webinar, featuring a fireside chat with two of our experts as they explore the benefits of establishing a local entity in Saudi Arabia. Learn why having a local presence is crucial for winning contracts, attracting clients, and building a strong regional network.