Wednesday, 19 August 2026 04:47 PM
Company Update
THE D I O R GROUP (TDG) -TDG Sport Consortium (TSC) receives Notice of Pre-Qualification (NPQ) from the Ministry of Sport and the National Center for Privatization & PPP, advancing to the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage
NEW YORK, NY AND RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA / ACCESS Newswire / August 19, 2026 / A consortium led by THE D I O R GROUP (TDG) has been pre-qualified by the Ministry of Sport ("MOS") and the National Center for Privatization & PPP ("NCP") to participate in the next phase of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Five Sports Club Privatization & Investment Program. The Consortium has received a Notice of Pre-Qualification ("NPQ") and will now be invited to submit a binding proposal at the forthcoming Request for Proposals ("RFP") stage.
The pre-qualification follows the Consortium's submission of a Statement of Qualification ("SOQ") in response to the RFQ issued by MOS and NCP on June 8, 2026, as part of a broader initiative under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to expand private sector participation in the Kingdom's sports sector. The privatization & investment program invites qualified investors to acquire, operate, and develop selected sports clubs across the Kingdom, including Al Riyadh Club, Al Fateh Club, Abha Club, Al Shoulla Club, and Al Tai Club.
The Consortium's qualification reflects a rigorous evaluation by MOS, NCP, and their global advisors - including PwC, Deloitte, Knight Frank, AS&H Clifford Chance, and A.T. Kearney - of the organizational, technical, financial, and governance capabilities required to acquire, professionalize, and grow Saudi sports clubs in line with the program's objectives of improving financial sustainability, enhancing governance and fan experience, and unlocking long-term commercial potential, which usually translates to building modern club stadiums, training academies, and commercial fan zones rather than relying on municipal facilities.
"We are thrilled and honored to have been pre-qualified for this landmark national program and look forward to bringing our Programs and Projects Management (PMO) expertise, operational excellence and long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia's sports sector as we move into the next stage of the process."
- Shawkatt Raghib, MD, President & CEO, THE D I O R GROUP, USA
Having satisfied the Stage 1 organizational and legal criteria and achieved a qualifying score under the Stage 2 technical and financial evaluation - including the Financial Qualification Requirement of a minimum SAR 35 million in available funding - the Consortium will now proceed to the RFP stage, expected to be issued by MOS and NCP before August 31, 2026. At that stage, the Consortium will receive a comprehensive Information Memorandum and will be invited to submit a binding offer for the acquisition of the clubs through a Project SPV Company.
About the Consortium
THE D I O R GROUP (TDG) is a U.S.-Projects Management (PMO) Company providing end-to-end programs and projects management of large-scale infrastructure PPP projects-including new urban developments, smart cities, smart sport cities, and mixed-use developments-and their associated programs and projects.
TDG mandates the overarching management of the TDG Sport Consortium to lead high-performance programs, sport club operations, commercial growth, and facility management. TDG and its strategic partner, Siemens AG, bring a proven sector focus, a strong track record, and extensive experience leading other consortia for the new Economic Smart City (7 Districts including Smart Sport City), PFBF Smart Sport City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for FIFA World Cup 2034.
The consortium members include Chinese Investment Group (Sichuan) as Anchor Investor and Limited Partners (LPs) including US/GCC private equity fund/investors for holding equity interests in the project SPV Company.
About the Sports Clubs Privatization Program
The program is led by the Ministry of Sport and the National Center for Privatization & PPP, pursuant to Council of Ministers Resolution No. (114) dated 14/2/1443H and Resolution No. (1038) dated 26/12/1445H, under the Private Sector Participation Law. The initiative aims to transfer ownership, management, and investment responsibility for selected Saudi sports clubs to qualified private sector investors, while MOS retains its role as regulator of the sector.
Media Contact
RONA ENCARNACION
VP | Corporate Communication
THE D I O R GROUP, New York, USA
E: [email protected] | T: +1 (646) 601-6509
SOURCE: THE D I O R GROUP