Saudi Arabia's Riyadh gets its own Monopoly board

'Riyadh Monopoly' to hit stores in September

Last updated:
Manoj Nair, Business Editor and Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor
2 MIN READ
The 'Riyadh Monopoly' board game is another chance for the Saudi metropolis to showcase its key landmarks..
The 'Riyadh Monopoly' board game is another chance for the Saudi metropolis to showcase its key landmarks..
Monopoly

Dubai: There's a new Monopoly board coming to market - and it's got all the happening places in Riyadh, the Saudi metropolis.

The 'Riyadh Monopoly' will be up at stores in September after being announced on June 26 at the King Abdullah Financial District Conference Centre.

The board is 'designed to reflect Riyadh’s rich culture, notable landmarks and dynamic spirit'.

Riyadh is going through a major transformation, including the creation of a swanky Downtown.  

In late 2019, the Dubai version of the Monopoly board was launched. (Monopoly is owned by the toy company Hasbro.)

“Riyadh Monopoly reflects our goal of making big, strategic projects accessible and engaging to all ages," Mazroua Al-Mazroua, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, at King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company.

"As the leading destination for international and local businesses in Saudi Arabia, we are creating new opportunities for the next generation to thrive.

"We want the new generation to recognize the names and places shaping their future. What better way than through play?”

Over half of Riyadh’s residents are under 20 years.

"Riyadh Monopoly is crafted to unite generations in friendly rivalry, whether strategizing over historic streets or modern skyscrapers," said a statement. The Monopoly board game has been in existence for 90 years and has sold over 275 million.

It has the Guinness World Record as the 'best-selling board game in history'.

'Cultural' significance

"In a celebration of iconic landmarks and modern identity, the Riyadh Monopoly board itself is a cultural artefact," said Sharif Hamad bin Majed Alowaishiq, Founder & Chairman of Saudi Youth Society.

And the new board is about 'mapping the capital’s evolution from historic quarters to striking skyscrapers, world-class districts, and new urban infrastructure and facilities'.

Manoj Nair
Manoj NairBusiness Editor
Manoj Nair, the Gulf News Business Editor, is an expert on property and gold in the UAE and wider region, and these days he is also keeping an eye on stocks as well. Manoj cares a lot for luxury brands and what make them tick, as well as keep close watch on whatever changes the retail industry goes through, whether on the grand scale or incremental. He’s been with Gulf News for 30 years, having started as a Business Reporter. When not into financial journalism, Manoj prefers to see as much of 1950s-1980s Bollywood movies. He reckons the combo is as exciting as it gets, though many will vehemently disagree.

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