Dragon Ball Z Theme Park Near Paris: Saudi Arabia Announces €6 Billion Investment in Three New Parks

Well, this is one of those announcements that sounds almost too big to be real: France and Saudi Arabia have struck a €6 billion deal to build three major theme parks just outside Paris, and one of them is shaping up to be a Dragon Ball Z destination. The news broke on August 24, 2026, during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s official visit to France. President Macron didn’t hold back on the praise, calling it an extraordinary moment for the country and honestly, the numbers back him up. The Élysée Palace says the project could generate around 22,000 jobs.

Where and Who’s Paying

The parks are set to rise around Cergy-Pontoise, a spot about 30 km northwest of Paris with enough open space to handle something this ambitious. The money is coming from Qiddiya, the Saudi entertainment and investment company that’s been on a mission to build out the kingdom’s global entertainment footprint as part of the broader push to wean the Saudi economy off oil. Of the three parks, one is expected to lean heavily into manga, with Dragon Ball Z as a headline attraction. What the other two will be themed around is still anyone’s guess that hasn’t been announced yet.

What Fans Might Actually Get

Don’t expect just a handful of roller coasters. Early reporting suggests the development will fold in hotels, restaurants, and other entertainment venues, essentially building out a full destination rather than a standalone park. That’s a smart bet: France has one of the strongest manga fanbases outside Japan, so a Dragon Ball-themed park has a built-in audience. It also mirrors what Saudi Arabia is already doing back home, where a Dragon Ball attraction is planned for Qiddiya near Riyadh.

Why This Matters Beyond the Rides

For France, this isn’t just about entertainment, it’s an economic play. Alongside those 22,000 direct jobs, officials are pointing to knock-on effects in construction, hospitality, and transportation. Macron has even drawn comparisons to Disneyland Paris, which has pulled in more than €13 billion in investment since it opened back in 1992. If this new project follows a similar trajectory, it could become a serious tourism anchor in its own right. For Saudi Arabia, it’s a chance to plant a flag in European entertainment and boost Qiddiya’s global profile, part of a much bigger strategy to become a major player in international tourism and sports.

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Don’t Book Your Trip Yet

As exciting as the headline number is, this is still early days. There’s no opening date, and construction is expected to take several years once you factor in environmental reviews, planning approvals, and infrastructure work. The themes for the other two parks and a firm timeline are still up in the air. Still, if it comes together as planned, this could end up being one of the biggest entertainment investments Europe has seen in years and a pretty striking example of how Saudi money and French tourism ambitions are increasingly intertwined.

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