MrBeast arrives in Riyadh to launch Beast Land theme park

Saudi Arabia has invited global YouTube sensation MrBeast, one of the most-watched creators in the world, as part of its push to become a major entertainment destination.

Having recently crossed 100 billion views, MrBeast, whose real name is James Donaldson, is in Riyadh to open Beast Land, a theme park inspired by his videos where participants compete in elaborate challenges to win substantial cash prizes.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Donaldson said,  “This is probably one of the best days of my life.”

He added, “One of the top requests I get is people wanting to be in an MrBeast video. Now, we’re bringing that experience to life so visitors can come, see it, and feel what it’s like.”

Today, Riyadh Season hosts nearly daily events for almost half the year, including boxing, music festivals, and sports competitions.

Beast Land is illuminated in neon blue and combines classic theme park attractions, such as roller coasters, with MrBeast’s American Gladiator-style challenges. In one game, the last participant to press a lit button falls into a cushioned trap.

Donaldson noted that 70% of his fans are outside the U.S., and Saudi Arabia was a natural choice for the park due to the availability of studio space for filming his latest video season. He encouraged visitors to check it out, saying, “It’s more developed than you might expect definitely worth a try.”

Saudi Arabia has also been attracting global talent with lucrative deals. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr is reportedly worth over $200 million.

While immensely popular, MrBeast has occasionally sparked controversy. Earlier this year, Mexico filed a lawsuit against a company linked to him after he filmed a video at the country’s ancient Maya pyramids.