Saudi Arabia Pours €6 Billion into New Paris Theme Parks, Kicking Off a Dragon Ball Z Era
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France is set to welcome a massive €6 billion ($7 billion) Saudi investment for three new theme parks near Paris, spearheaded by a highly anticipated Dragon Ball Z attraction. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the colossal project on Monday, August 24, 2026, during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visit, promising to generate approximately 22,000 jobs and establish a new global entertainment hotspot comparable to Disneyland Paris in scale. This landmark deal stems from a shared enthusiasm for manga between President Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reportedly sparked during Macron's 2025 visit to Riyadh. The investment, channeled through the Saudi Public Investment Fund subsidiary, Qiddiya Investment Company, is a key move in Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil and boost its global 'soft power' through cultural and entertainment ventures. For France, this represents a significant win for its 'Choose France' initiative, which aims to attract major foreign investments and create employment opportunities across the country. The three parks, with one confirmed to be manga-themed around Dragon Ball Z, will be built in Cergy-Pontoise, a location northwest of Paris, on or near the site of the former Mirapolis park. While construction is expected to span several years and an official opening date remains undisclosed, the project is poised to dramatically reshape the European leisure industry. This venture marks another bold step in Saudi Arabia expanding global investment footprint, blending economic strategy with popular culture to cement its presence on the world stage.