Rise of sport’s new order
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Oil-rich Saudi Arabia has followed in the footsteps of neighbouring rivals, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, investing billions of dollars to make their mark on international sports
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$408 million
Oct 2021: English Premier League club Newcastle United is bought by Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia in £300m deal
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$18 billion
Jul 2020: Qatar bids for 2032 Olympic Games – past five Summer Games cost average of $18bn each
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$200 billion
Qatar’s spending on sport infrastructure, including FIFA 2022 World Cup
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$1.6 billion
Spending by Abu Dhabi United Group on Manchester City since its acquisition in 2008
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$40 billion
Estimated cost to United Arab Emirates of development of Yas Island, which includes F1 racetrack
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$1 billion-plus 
Amount spent since 2011 by state-backed Qatar Sports Investment on players for Paris St Germain, including €222m for Brazilian star Neymar (right) in 2017
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$50 million
Dec 2019: Cost to Saudi Arabia to host “Clash on the Dunes” – rematch of heavyweight world championship boxing bout between Anthony Joshua (left) and Andy Ruiz Jnr
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$150 million
Cost of Bahrain Grand Prix circuit. Races contribute $40m annually to F1 coffers
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$30 million
2019: Saudi government launches breakaway Saudi International golf championship with lavish appearance fees to lure elite players from PGA and European tours
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Sources: Golfweek, Middle East Eye, Reuters, Sky News Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS



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