How to get there Experience Riyadh for Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury 2: How to get there, where to stay, things to see & more
A huge heavyweight ring rematch looms large on the horizon as the Riyadh Season continues to bring the thrills
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury rekindle their ring relationship this December, as the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hosts another huge boxing extravaganza. ‘The Gypsy King’, Tyson Fury, enters the Riyadh ring on Saturday, December 21, aiming to avenge his first-ever professional defeat. The British boxer missed his chance to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion this millennium back in May. Instead, that honour went to Usyk, who won their first encounter in a split decision to claim all four world heavyweight belts. The full set of titles won’t be up for grabs on this occasion, with the IBF crown currently sitting pretty on Daniel Dubois’s head, with Usyk having vacated that belt earlier this year. That fact, of course, doesn’t detract from the enormity of the December clash.
Usyk vs Fury will go head-to-head once again at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The arena is located in the area known as Boulevard City, in the northwest region of Riyadh. Construction of Kingdom Arena (initially known as the Boulevard Hall) began in mid-2023. It was intended to be an entertainment focal point, hosting events associated with the winter Riyadh Season, where the world’s best athletes and artists would meet, converge and perform. In September 2023, the Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) made a major investment in the venue, and Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal would begin playing regular home games there. As part of the agreement, KHC also received the naming rights to the stadium. In October 2023, the annual Riyadh Season activities got underway at the Kingdom Arena, when it held the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou heavyweight encounter. Several epic boxing clashes have taken place at the venue over the past year, including Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou (March 2024), Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk (May 2024) & Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol (October 2024).
Riyadh Season, which is a series of entertainment, cultural, and sporting events held in the Saudi Arabian capital, has helped raise the profile of the city of Riyadh and the nation of Saudi Arabia as a whole in recent years. Riyadh Season, first introduced in 2019, typically runs from October through to March, with events and experiences dispersed into ‘zones’ that now include the likes of Kingdom Arena, Boulevard City, Boulevard World, Riyadh Zoo and Wonder Garden. The inaugural edition of Riyadh Season proved to be a huge success, resulting in a sizable increase in tourism, with 11 million people visiting Riyadh during the 66-day period. Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority also estimated that the combined 2019 Season events generated SAR 6 billion in revenue. Riyadh Season continues to expand and grow each year, and the 2024 edition is proving to be the biggest and best yet.
The city of Riyadh is situated at the centre of the Arabian peninsula and is not only the capital but also the largest city in Saudi Arabia. With a population of over 7 million, it is a bustling metropolis that offers a wide range of attractions and activities for visitors. Riyadh holds a significant position as the cultural capital of Saudi Arabia, boasting a rich history and heritage that dates back centuries, but if you’re looking for a luxury city break or to take in an event or show, Riyadh definitely ticks all those boxes too these days.
Riyadh is home to some of Saudi Arabia’s most extraordinary sites of natural and historical beauty and is a must-visit destination for any cultural enthusiast, with the added benefit of numerous art galleries and historical centres to explore. While Riyadh is known for its rich history, it is also a city of modern architecture. The cityscape is filled with stunning contemporary buildings and structures that showcase the country’s commitment to innovation and development. Riyadh is also the perfect location for shopping addicts. The city is home to numerous modern malls and traditional souks where you can find everything from luxury brands to local handicrafts. Riyadh has it all, whether you’re travelling to Riyadh for a standout event, like Usyk v Tyson 2, travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business.
Let GOAL bring you everything you need to know to plan your weekend boxing trip to Riyadh for Usyk vs Fury 2, from where to stay, where to eat, and how to buy flights.
Flights to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Riyadh is served by King Khalid International Airport, which HRH King Fahd opened on 16 November 1983. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and its partner airlines run numerous regular flights to Riyadh from all over the globe.
Exploring and planning your route to Riyadh via Etihad Airways is the best option, allowing you to compare prices and flight times and find the best option for you.
Tickets to Usyk vs Fury 2
Demand for tickets to Reignited 2: Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury has obviously been very high, but tickets are still available, ranging from 50-1000 SAR ($20-250 / £10-200). For the latest ticket news and availability, go to Webook, the official ticketing platform for Riyadh Season events.
The Usyk v Fury undercard is due to get underway at 10 pm local Riyadh time (2 pm ET / 7 pm GMT), with main event ring walks commencing at approximately 2 am Sunday local time (6 pm ET / 11 pm GMT). Yet again, for a Riyadh Season event, it will deliver a thrilling undercard that includes the likes of Israil Madrimov v Serhii Bohachuk (super welterweight), Dennis McCann v Peter McGrail (super bantamweight) and Isaac Lowe v Lee McGregor (featherweight).
