France and Saudi Arabia have agreed to develop a €6 billion ($7 billion) theme park complex near Paris, with one of the parks inspired by the Dragon Ball Z franchise. The announcement, made during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's two-day visit to France, was hailed by French President Emmanuel Macron as a landmark project for the region.
A Landmark Investment for the Paris Region
Speaking on X, Macron said, "Nothing like this has been seen since Disneyland Paris," and described the development as a future "global destination." The project includes three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, roughly 30 kilometers northwest of Paris, according to the International Business Times. The themes of the other two parks have not been disclosed.
French officials estimate the development could create about 22,000 jobs, putting its employment impact on a scale comparable to Disneyland Paris. The Élysée said construction will happen in stages and could take several years, though no opening date or construction timeline was shared as part of the announcement.
The Dragon Ball Z Connection
The idea for the French park emerged from discussions between Macron and bin Salman after the two discovered a shared enthusiasm for manga and Dragon Ball Z, according to a report by Reuters cited by Polygon. The franchise, created by Akira Toriyama, debuted as a manga in Japan in 1984, with the Dragon Ball Z anime beginning in 1989. It has since expanded into movies, video games, collectibles, and merchandise.
Polygon described the collaboration as "a pairing we didn't see coming," highlighting the personal connection between the two leaders.
Qiddiya's Role and Saudi Arabia's Broader Strategy
The project will be led and financed by Qiddiya, a Saudi entertainment developer backed by the kingdom's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Qiddiya is already developing a massive entertainment destination outside Riyadh, including Six Flags Qiddiya City, Aquarabia, and gaming and esports facilities, as reported by the International Business Times. Saudi Arabia is also developing a Dragon Ball-themed park as part of Qiddiya City, which will feature over five rides, 30 attractions, a 230-foot Shenron, hotels, and restaurants.
For Saudi Arabia, the Paris project represents another step in its effort to build a global entertainment business as the kingdom tries to diversify its economy beyond oil. Polygon noted that Saudi Arabia has previously established the LIV Golf league and recently completed PIF's purchase of gaming giant EA, among other investments.
Context: The Global Theme Park Race
The announcement comes as major players in the theme park industry ramp up investments. Comcast plans to invest more than $8 billion in a Universal resort in the United Kingdom, and Disney has announced plans to invest $60 billion over a decade in its Experiences division, according to the International Business Times. Disneyland Paris, which opened in 1992, has dominated the region's destination theme park business but struggled financially for years and required repeated investment and restructuring.