Saudi Arabia to Invest $7 Billion in Three Theme Parks Near Paris: Full Project Details 

Big news out of France this week: Saudi Arabia just agreed to pour roughly $7 billion into building three theme parks just outside Paris, and one of them is going to be built around Dragon Ball Z. The deal was announced on August 24, 2026, and it’s a genuinely massive investment for France’s entertainment industry, arguably one of the biggest in decades. President Macron has been talking it up as a project that could put the region on the map as a brand-new international travel destination.

The Basics of the Deal

France and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding for around €6 billion (about $7 billion) to build three parks near Cergy-Pontoise, a spot roughly 30 kilometers northwest of central Paris. The company behind the money is Qiddiya Investment Company, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and already has a track record building big entertainment projects back home. Construction will roll out in phases, and while there’s no opening date yet, officials are already comparing the scale of this thing to Disneyland Paris which gives you a sense of how big they’re thinking.

Wait, an Actual Dragon Ball Park?

Yes. One of the three parks is expected to lean into a manga theme, with Dragon Ball Z as the centerpiece. The backstory is kind of charming, actually the idea reportedly came out of a conversation between Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during one of Macron’s trips to Saudi Arabia, where the two apparently bonded over being Dragon Ball fans. There’d been rumors floating around before about a possible Dragon Ball park, but this announcement is the first real, official confirmation that it’s part of the plan. As for the other two parks nobody’s saying anything yet. So take any specific claims about rides or themes for those with a grain of salt until the developers actually release details.

What It Could Mean for Jobs and the Local Economy

This isn’t just about roller coasters. French officials are estimating the project could create around 22,000 direct jobs right in the same ballpark as what Disneyland Paris supports today. That kind of number ripples out into construction, hotels, restaurants, retail, and transportation across the whole region. If the parks pull in international visitors rather than just domestic day-trippers, the surrounding area stands to see a real boost in tourism spending too.

Why Is Saudi Arabia Doing This?

It fits into a bigger picture. Saudi Arabia has been on a mission to diversify its economy away from oil, and entertainment and tourism are a big part of that push Qiddiya is already deep into major sports, gaming, and entertainment projects back home, so this is really an extension of that strategy onto the world stage, and a way to plant a flag in the global entertainment market. For France, it slots neatly into Macron’s “Choose France” campaign, which has been all about courting big foreign investment. A deal this size is basically a headline moment for that effort proof, from the French government’s perspective, that international investors still see France as worth betting on.

Curious stories worth exploring next?

Where Can Solo Travellers Feel Safest?
Check out 15 tourist destinations ideal for safe and memorable solo travel for those aged 50 and above.

How Is UAE Becoming A Tech Hub?
Dive into the UAE’s AI investment strategy and discover how the Gulf is building its global technology future.

What Caused Japan’s Deadly Floods?
Uncover the record-breaking rainfall, deadly flooding and disruption that stranded thousands at Narita Airport.

Where Can You See Basking Sharks?
Explore Ireland’s best spots for an unforgettable close-up encounter with giant basking sharks in the wild.

How Did Bali’s Ferry Catch Fire?
Find the latest details on the ferry fire, rescue operation and the 172 passengers who survived.

So When Can You Actually Go?

That’s the one thing nobody can answer yet. We know the location, the price tag, that there will be three parks, and roughly how many jobs it could bring. But the construction timeline, the actual park designs, ticket prices, hotel plans, and the themes of the other two parks are all still up in the air. If it comes together the way it’s been pitched, this could end up reshaping the theme park landscape in Europe and give Disneyland Paris its first serious competitor in years. And for Dragon Ball fans specifically, there’s a real chance this ends up being the flashiest, most talked-about part of the whole development.

FAQ