The innovative complex in Saudi Arabia will feature a cutting-edge football academy with advanced training solutions and real estate development designed as a smart sports city.
UK-based tech company Blockchain Sports Ecosystem, represented by Founder Dmitry Saksonov, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi investment firm Alpha Jossor Investments, chaired by Abdulrahman Al-Qarni. The partnership aims to develop one of the largest sports complexes in the MENA region, using cutting-edge technology and attracting direct investments totalling $3.3bn. Football stars Kevin Kuranyi, Jay-Jay Okocha, Mikael Silvestre and Jens Lehmann attended the signing ceremony in Riyadh to endorse the collaboration.
The state-of-the-art complex will feature a football academy equipped with the latest integrated training solutions, alongside real estate developments designed as part of a smart sports city. These developments are expected to boost tourism and foreign investment as Saudi Arabia gears up for major global sports events. Blockchain Sports Ecosystem representatives from across three continents, along with private sector stakeholders, will contribute to the project’s execution.
Dmitry Saksonov, Founder of Blockchain Sports Ecosystem, said: “I believe the partnership marks a significant milestone and is beneficial for the whole MENA region. The Middle East has proved its ability to bring innovative projects of enormous scale to life. With the advanced technologies Blockchain Sports Ecosystem has developed, the upcoming project will set a new standard for the global sports community. We hope our mutual efforts will make the region prominent in the world’s sports arena.”
Alpha Jossor Investments, a key strategic partner, will connect global companies and attract foreign and local investment, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. The company specialises in identifying, planning and managing high-performance investments across industries, and is committed to supporting the project at all stages.
A key aspect of the MoU is the real estate component, which includes launching a digital real estate platform for buying, selling and managing properties in a virtual space. This will support the development of 1,500 villas and 3,330 apartments around the academy, with an estimated investment of $1.6bn, all aligned with smart city and sustainable living principles.
Faisal Janahi, CEO of Alpha Jossor Investments, added: “Alpha Jossor Investments is dedicated to bridging global expertise and local private investor landscape through high-impact investments. Our partnership with Blockchain Sports Ecosystem is a strong step towards creating an innovative sports hub in Saudi Arabia, aligning with our vision for sustainable growth.”
Blockchain Sports Ecosystem, with a global team of over 1,200 tech and sports experts and offices in eight countries, is pioneering the future of sports through advanced performance tracking, AI, XR and blockchain technologies. The company’s Football Project partners with more than 30 football academies worldwide, including three in Brazil, which train 600 low-income teens. Blockchain Sports aims to produce world-class footballers through advanced training methods and technology.
Several renowned football players, including Romario, Zico, Edmilson, Marco Materazzi, Ze Roberto, and Kevin Kuranyi, serve as ambassadors for Blockchain Sports Ecosystem, lending their expertise to create a top-tier sports cluster. Additionally, the company is developing the Photochain project, which captures video interviews with football stars, providing insights for the new sports facility’s design.
An essential part of the MoU is the creation of a digital ID platform for athlete identities, facilitating secure and transparent transactions in the sports industry. Partner academies from over 16 countries will use this platform to collect analytics and identify top football talent, offering scholarships to train at the Saudi academy. This platform will be the first of its kind for storing athlete data and will streamline global scouting efforts using blockchain technology to ensure data security.
Blockchain Sports Ecosystem’s innovative technologies are protected by INTEROCO Copyright Office in Germany and are recognised in 181 countries, including Saudi Arabia, supported by a LONDON-Rate valuation report.