Inter expands its business in Saudi Arabia
Club
— Oct 16th 2024MISA licence handover ceremony in Riyadh with top club management in attendance
Inter is formalising its commitment to strategic expansion in Saudi Arabia with the acquisition of the MISA licence, which is essential for any foreign company wishing to operate commercially in the country.
The club will benefit from the support of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment (MISA) to further extend its brand presence in the Middle East and grow its fanbase. At the same time, Inter will bring its expertise, values and experience as a top-level football club to the country, supporting Saudi Arabia's national plan for 2030 (Vision 2030). Through promoting talent and sports culture, the Nerazzurri club aims to contribute positively to the country's future ambitions.
Inter will not only export its history and tradition as a globally renowned football club, but also the very best of Made in Italy, which the Nerazzurri represent. Through strategic partnerships, the Nerazzurri will champion Italian values, tradition and style beyond sport, bringing to Saudi Arabia the entire Inter ecosystem with a project that will highlight the fusion of design, entertainment, wellness, and Inter’s historical legacy.
Inter's entry into the Saudi market will also enable the club to expand its fanbase, engaging with the country’s young and rapidly growing population. The opening of several Inter Academies across the country, support for the development of youth and women’s football, the organisation of unique experiences and the involvement of the club’s Legends at local events will further strengthen the bond with the Saudi community, promoting football values beyond borders.
The official acquisition of the commercial license was announced on Wednesday during a ceremony held in Riyadh at the MISA headquarters, attended by Vice President Javier Zanetti, CEO Corporate Alessandro Antonello and Chief Revenue Officer Luca Danovaro, followed by an exclusive gala dinner with local stakeholders.
“We’re extremely proud to be the first international football club to obtain the MISA licence, which will allow us to collaborate with local businesses to bring our experience and expertise in sports development to the country, contributing to achieving the targets set out in Vision 2030. Through this licence, the club is committed to creating value for Saudi Arabia by supporting the development of its sporting sector and promoting the involvement of local businesses as part of our global network.”
Alessandro Antonello, CEO Corporate FC Internazionale Milano.
“Since we first played here in Riyadh, we've been struck by the passion that young Saudis have for our club and we look forward to engaging them even more in the Nerazzurri world. At the heart of what we do at Inter is developing young players, both in footballing terms and, above all, as people. We’re ready to work hard to export our expertise to Saudi Arabia beyond the playing field by impacting social and cultural areas too.”
Javier Zanetti, Vice President FC Internazionale Milano
Inter is therefore strengthening its presence in a market that has already shown high levels of enthusiasm for the Nerazzurri thanks to its participation and victories in the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia over the past two years, the club’s fan base and brand visibility in the region have seen a significant increase. Arabic-speaking fans following the club’s social media profiles now exceed 5 million, making it the second-largest cluster in the entire Nerazzurri community.