JLL has opened a dedicated sports and entertainment hub in Riyadh, giving the property services group a specialist base for mandates across the Middle East and Africa.
JLL launched the unit on 11 May and said it will advise sports organisations, developers, investors and brands on leasing, operations management, development consultancy and investment solutions.
Ahmed Abas will lead the platform as Regional Head of Sports and Entertainment for the Middle East and Africa.
JLL records more than 15 years of regional infrastructure and finance experience for Abas and says the firm enters the segment with over $87bn of relevant project value managed globally across more than 60 sports and entertainment organisations.
Abas is also a certified PPP professional and serves on advisory boards, including the Middle East Sports Investment Forum and the World Stadiums and Arenas Summit.
JLL said the Riyadh team will work across the full real estate cycle, from early development planning to leasing, facilities management, property management and capital markets support.
Coverage includes stadiums, arenas, theme and adventure parks, cinemas, theatres, family entertainment centres, e-gaming and VR hubs, tourist attractions and multi-utility sports destinations.
Riyadh will also handle regional and global client work from a single base, according to the company.
Mireille Azzam Vidjen, Head of Strategic Consulting MEA at JLL, said the offer combines venue advice with wider urban planning, including “integrating such facilities into wider urban communities”.
