Prepare for some excitement! Monopoly Riyadh, the latest addition to the Monopoly family, scheduled for release in September.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Monopoly board game is set to launch a Riyadh edition, honouring the city's most notable destinations and integrating its unique urban culture and landmarks into the classic Monopoly experience.
Nicola Cope, executive director of brand marketing at Diriyah, expressed her belief that including Riyadh's heritage in the game is an honour, as the city undergoes a significant urban, cultural, and economic transformation. Hamad Alowaishiq, founder and chairman of the Saudi Youth Society (SYS), acted as a cultural advisor for the game's makers, ensuring that the game accurately reflects the city's identity and history.
Key sites included on the board are the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), the Diplomatic Quarter, King Fahd Road, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. KAFD, Saudi Arabia's first vertical urban city and a dynamic lifestyle destination, is a significant inclusion on the board, with over 20,000 workers and thousands of daily visitors and residents.
The Riyadh edition also features iconic locations such as Olaya Street, a key business and commercial hub, and Dammam Road, another significant city artery. The board also includes prominent schools and government entities, like the British International School Riyadh and other important institutions, as part of the city’s landscape.
The utility spaces and fines have been localized as well, with options like “Saline Water” fees and “speeding ticket” penalties replacing generic tax cards. The game also references major streets and projects, with the board reflecting urban landmarks such as Zallal, Al-Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah, and Wadi Hanifah.
The Monopoly Riyadh Edition is seen as a way to join families and communities across generations, according to The Ritz-Carlton's Mazen Allam. He states that being part of Monopoly allows them to create joyful memories that extend beyond their hotel. Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, vice-chairman of SYS, expressed excitement about the cultural representation of Riyadh in the international brand.
Mazroua Al-Mazroua, KAFD's chief marketing and experience officer, believes that KAFD mirrors the qualities of Monopoly, being strategic, competitive, and centered around real estate. Liam Johnson, the racecourse director of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia's Saudi Cup, played Monopoly with his family when he was young, adding a personal touch to the game's launch.
The Monopoly Riyadh Edition will go on sale in September, marking a new chapter in the city's history and providing a fun and engaging way to explore its rich heritage and modern transformation. According to Guinness World Records, Monopoly is the best-selling board game in history, with over 275 million units sold worldwide, making it a beloved classic for generations. The launch event featured an appearance by the game's mascot, Mr. Monopoly, symbolizing the game's connection to Riyadh and its people.
- The Riyadh edition of Monopoly features key sites like the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Olaya Street, and Dammam Road, which are significant in the city's business, culture, and urban landscape.
- Hamad Alowaishiq, as a cultural advisor, ensured that the Monopoly Riyadh Edition accurately reflects the city's identity and history, including integrating popular locations such as the Diplomatic Quarter, King Fahd Road, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
- In addition to famous landmarks, the Monopoly Riyadh Edition includes localized utilities and fines, like "Saline Water" fees and "speeding ticket" penalties, to reflect the unique elements of Saudi Arabia's culture and lifestyle.
- The Monopoly Riyadh Edition is seen as an opportunity for families and communities to create joyful memories, as they explore and engage with the city's rich heritage and modern transformation.
- The launch of the Monopoly Riyadh Edition marks a new chapter in the city's history, with its sale in September continuing the game's popularity, proven by its status as the best-selling board game in history, with over 275 million units sold worldwide.
