A joint collaboration unveiled at World Football Summit 2025 in Riyadh will support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and build momentum toward the launch of the University’s flagship Sport Management degree at its new Riyadh campus in 2026.
New Haven University to open new Riyadh campus in 2026
Saudi Arabia continues to expand its investment in future ready education and workforce development, with a new strategic collaboration announced between the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia and the University of New Haven. The partnership focuses on building human capital for the Kingdom’s rapidly growing sports sector, in line with national Vision 2030 priorities. The collaboration was unveiled in Riyadh during the World Football Summit, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s ambition to position sport as a key driver of economic diversification, skills development, and international engagement.
A shared commitment to build human capital for the Kingdom’s rapidly growing sports sector
Building Human Capital for a Growing Sports Economy
At the heart of the collaboration is a shared commitment to “build human capital for the Kingdom’s rapidly growing sports sector”. Working closely with national stakeholders, the University of New Haven has already delivered pilot Sports Event Security courses on behalf of the Ministry of Sport, supporting the development of specialised skills aligned with international best practice.
First international branch campus approved under the new framework
The partnership aims to expand these efforts through professional training, executive education, and joint capacity building initiatives. This approach reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to develop local expertise while embedding global standards across emerging industries, including sport, events management, and public safety.
Riyadh Campus and the Launch of Sport Management Programmes
The collaboration also builds momentum toward the launch of the University of New Haven’s Riyadh campus in 2026. The campus will introduce the University’s flagship undergraduate degree in Sport Management, drawing on its established strengths in sport management, business, security, and public safety education.
According to the announcement, the Riyadh campus is being developed “in alignment with the Kingdom’s higher education regulations and international accreditation standards”. It was also confirmed as the first international branch campus to receive consent to establish under the Kingdom’s updated regulatory framework, marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s evolving higher education landscape.
Aligning Education with Vision 2030 Priorities
The collaboration reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued focus on aligning education pathways with national development goals. By combining international academic expertise with local policy direction, the initiative supports Vision 2030’s emphasis on workforce readiness, sector specific skills, and sustainable economic growth.
Education partnerships aligned with Vision 2030
With sport emerging as a strategic pillar within the Kingdom’s development agenda, partnerships such as this signal a shift toward structured talent pipelines that serve both local needs and global ambitions.
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Further Reading:
- Madrasati: A Saudi Digital Education Model Shaping the Future of Learning
- Saudi Cabinet Approves University of Strathclyde Branch in Riyadh to Boost Higher Education Sector