For a number of years, the GCC region has been actively reimagining the potential of indoor entertainment. There are several factors behind this, not least the extreme summer heat that makes year-round outdoor entertainment difficult, the increasing demand from young populations for tech-enhanced experiences, and the broader economic diversification initiatives that many GCC countries have adopted as they move away from oil reliance.
Construction has transformed alongside this innovation in indoor entertainment – and in many cases has been the driving force behind it. Today, developers and engineers are designing large-scale, climate-controlled environments that are changing what was previously thought possible.
While it’s difficult to get figures for this sub-sector of the wider entertainment market in the GCC, it’s clearly growing at pace. Figures for the MENA region show that in 2019, the family/indoor entertainment market was valued at USD 618 million and is projected to reach USD 1.7 billion by 2027. With the exception of Egypt, all the major players in this report were GCC countries.
This article looks at how the GCC has created the infrastructure for indoor entertainment and examines how the region’s construction sector has helped turn climate-related challenges into a competitive advantage. It also assesses what this means for investors worldwide.
Constructing a new world of indoor entertainment
The key centres for this change include cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Doha. Each has invested heavily in the necessary infrastructure to create tourism and entertainment sectors that can rival global competitors, specifically designed to suit the climate and national ambitions of each country.
Dubai is the first name that comes up when talking about this transformation. As far back as 2005, the city established the world’s first indoor ski resort, which quickly became a key symbol of the region’s pioneering development. Dubai’s innovation paved the way for many other cities to follow suit and the success of this early project also demonstrated the value of integrated delivery models. Developers, architects and contractors worked closely from concept to commissioning and in doing so they set a template for how entertainment-led construction could balance spectacle with operational performance.
Because if you take a peek behind these entertainment hubs you will find some of the most complex engineering in the world. From advanced cooling systems to smart energy management, construction firms are creating large-scale structures that are efficient throughout the year. Techniques such as large-span roofing, vibration isolation and theming integration are now in demand for other infrastructure and cultural projects across the GCC.
Taking the idea of the mall to new heights
It all started with the mall. Shopping malls in the Gulf have long served as complete leisure ecosystems, with some of the biggest names including Villaggio Mall in Doha, Dubai Mall, Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, and The Avenues in Kuwait City. The Avenues in Riyadh is currently under construction and, when completed, will be the largest such development in Saudi Arabia.
Beyond retail, many of these malls form a kind of city within a city, housing everything from aquariums to ice rinks to VR parks. They are also social centres, places where people meet – a modern version of the village square or local park during times of the year when those spaces are too hot. For contractors, this has meant fresh approaches to planning structures and managing building systems. Large open spaces, soundproofing between areas, and carefully controlled lighting all go beyond what might be expected in regular mall projects. The result is a far richer visitor experience and a new standard for how mixed-use spaces are designed.
These new approaches are all underpinned by economics: when malls go beyond just shopping, it drives longer visitor stays, and with that comes higher spending. Investors who understand this know that having an ice rink within a mall isn’t an extravagance, but a strategy that yields a real return on investment.
The rise of indoor sports and fitness
The Gulf’s indoor entertainment boom isn’t limited to shopping or skiing. Sports have moved indoors as well. There are major indoor sports and entertainment complexes such as Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and the Al Shabab Dome in Dubai, but equally, there are massive new projects taking this idea to previously unimagined places.
The prime example is The Loop in Dubai, which, when completed, will be the world’s smartest cycling and running infrastructure, with almost 100km of sustainable urban highway. This cycling and walking track will be climate-controlled, allowing people to ride bicycles, run, or simply walk in comfortable conditions. Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, the Qiddiya project, known as ‘the first city built for play’, is also under construction and will include esports arenas along with event venues and waterparks. Projects like The Loop involve collaboration between civil engineers, façade specialists and sustainability consultants who all work together to create comfortable microclimates, using modular construction techniques to accelerate delivery timelines.
The indoor theme park
The fact that it needs to be indoors hasn’t stopped the Gulf from creating indoor entertainment on a massive scale. In Dubai, IMG Worlds of Adventure spans 1.5 million square feet and features zones based on popular brands, including Marvel and Cartoon Network. Meanwhile, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi brings together Bugs Bunny, Batman and Superman all under one roof.
These ventures are calculated investments in the diversification of the tourism industry. Each year, the number of international visitors increases, and these indoor experiences provide a weather-proof solution. Because of this, indoor theme parks and leisure centres offer strong returns due to year-round visitor flow and high per-capita spending. Operators receive more predictable income streams, as well as cross-selling opportunities through hospitality and retail.
Turning the climate challenge into a competitive advantage
For policymakers and developers, the business of indoor entertainment demonstrates the Gulf’s ability to adapt to its environment while building globally competitive industries. The two things can go hand-in-hand. In economic terms, these projects are part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on oil, with the entertainment and leisure market driven by investments in tourism, culture and sport. In all cases, indoor facilities enable these activities while also regulating revenue because they can stay open year-round.
On a social level, these indoor spaces also enhance the quality of life. Gulf cities consistently rank among the most expat-friendly in the world, and offering quality indoor entertainment helps sustain that reputation. People may move to the region to take advantage of work opportunities, but having the necessary infrastructure for their families means they’re more likely to stay.
Sustainability and the future
At the heart of the indoor entertainment revolution is the need to maintain massive climate-controlled spaces. Many current developments are experimenting with hybrid cooling solutions, including chilled water loops, phase change materials, and HVAC controls with AI integration. These used to be niche technologies, but today they are central to sustainable construction. Just like the smart cities being planned and built, the next generation of entertainment spaces will merge innovation and function with sustainable practices.
At its core, the business of indoor entertainment in the Gulf is about quality of life and creating spaces where people can connect and play throughout the year. By reimagining the indoors, Gulf cities have adapted to their environment and turned it into a competitive advantage.
