Source: IGN
Introduction
France and Saudi Arabia have officially agreed to advance plans for a massive entertainment project, determining that international fans require a dedicated Dragon Ball Z theme park. The ambitious development will take shape just outside Paris, carrying an estimated price tag of €6 billion, which translates to roughly $7 billion USD.
The Elysee Palace formally disclosed the initiative on Monday, August 23, coinciding with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s diplomatic mission to the French capital. According to reports, the concept originated during the Crown Prince's visit to Paris the previous year, sparked by a mutual appreciation for the legendary anime franchise shared between him and French President Emmanuel Macron.
What Happened
The monumental theme park is scheduled for construction northwest of Paris, specifically positioned near Cergy-Pontoise. Regional authorities anticipate that the large-scale engineering and construction efforts will generate approximately 22,000 employment opportunities. While developers have mapped out the geographical footprint, officials have not yet established or publicized a definitive opening date.
Financing for the French attraction originates from Qiddiya, marking a significant cross-continental expansion for the brand. Once fully realized, the Paris destination will stand as one of two official Dragon Ball Z theme parks globally. The initial location was publicly unveiled in 2024 through the official Dragon Ball web portal, accompanied by comprehensive architectural renderings and visual teasers.
Background
The primary theme park is presently under construction within Qiddiya City, an expansive entertainment and leisure district situated near the Saudi capital of Riyadh. Spanning a vast expanse exceeding 500,000 square meters, the Riyadh property will incorporate seven faithful recreations of iconic settings from the animated series. Visitors to the Saudi site will be able to explore locations such as the Kame House, Capsule Corporation facilities, and Beerus's Planet.
Furthermore, the Qiddiya City installation will feature five primary rides integrated into a collection exceeding thirty total attractions. A towering 70-meter-tall statue of the wish-granting dragon Shenron will anchor the site as its centerpiece. Both international locations represent unprecedented financial commitments to the intellectual property, though neither property has secured a public launch schedule.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2024 | First Dragon Ball Z theme park officially revealed for Qiddiya City with concept art. |
| February | Saudi-owned RTS acquires full ownership of the Evo fighting game tournament series. |
| March | Electronic Gaming Development Company increases its stake in Capcom to 10 percent. |
| August 23 | Elysee Palace announces the €6 billion ($7 billion USD) Paris theme park project. |
Key Details
The announcement regarding the Parisian theme park emerged alongside logistical shifts for the Esports World Cup, which relocated to the French capital due to security considerations surrounding its original venue in Riyadh. Both Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Emmanuel Macron appeared together during the closing ceremonies of the gaming tournament.
This bilateral cultural collaboration aligns with a broader pattern of substantial international investments by Saudi entities within the global gaming and anime sectors. Most notably, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund finalized a massive $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, operating as part of an investor coalition alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners.
Impact
Additional corporate acquisitions underscore the expanding global footprint of Saudi-backed entities in interactive entertainment. In March, Electronic Gaming Development Company—led by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman—purchased a 5 percent stake in Capcom, doubling its total ownership in the prominent Japanese game publisher to 10 percent.
Earlier in the year, Saudi-owned RTS secured full control of Evo, establishing the organization as the definitive authority over the world's largest fighting game tournament series. This acquisition prompted subsequent global expansions for Evo events, though it generated considerable debate and controversy within the broader fighting game community.
What Happens Next
Construction crews will proceed with development activities northwest of Paris near Cergy-Pontoise over the coming years to fulfill the regional employment and infrastructure goals. Project backers and government officials will eventually release further scheduling updates as structural milestones are achieved at both the French and Saudi sites.
