Full Breakdown
France and Saudi Arabia Seal €6 billion Dragon Ball-Z Theme-Park Deal Near Paris
8/27/2026, 12:53:41 AM
Core Agreement
On August 24, 2026 the French presidency and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a memorandum of understanding to invest €6 billion (? $7 billion) in three new amusement parks near Cergy-Pontoise, about 30 km northwest of Paris. One park will be themed around the manga and anime franchise *Dragon Ball Z*. The project will be led by Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), an arm of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign-wealth fund. Construction will take several years and the parks will open in stages; no specific opening date has been set.
Background & Context
The partnership originated in a December 2024 meeting in Riyadh where President Emmanuel Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed a shared enthusiasm for manga, especially *Dragon Ball Z*. The deal aligns with Saudi Arabia’s plan to diversify its economy and France’s “Choose France” initiative to attract foreign capital.
Key Figures
- Emmanuel Macron – President of France.
- Mohammed bin Salman – Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.
- Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) – Saudi sovereign-wealth-fund subsidiary financing the complex.
Data & Statistics
- Investment: €6 billion (? $7 billion).
- Parks: Three, with one confirmed *Dragon Ball Z* theme; the other two remain undisclosed.
- Job creation: The French presidency projects 22,000 direct jobs; other reports cite about 2,000 jobs.
Official Statements & Responses
President Macron called the agreement “extraordinary” and said it would create “a new global destination” comparable to Disneyland Paris. Saudi officials framed the partnership as part of Riyadh’s effort to expand its entertainment portfolio internationally.
Criticism & Opposition
Three French journalists’ unions protested the Crown Prince’s visit, citing an ongoing French investigation into alleged torture and forced disappearance linked to the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. They argued the investment overlooks serious human-rights concerns.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Job creation: The presidency’s 22,000-job estimate contrasts with other outlets reporting roughly 2,000 jobs.
- Site specifics: Some sources suggest the parks could be built on the former Mirapolis site in Val-d’Oise; others have not confirmed the exact location.
Why It Matters
The deal deepens economic ties between France and Saudi Arabia, pairing French tourism expertise with Saudi capital seeking diversification. It also reinforces France’s strategy to position itself as a premier destination for large-scale foreign investment.
What’s Next
Construction is slated to begin in the coming months, with the parks opening in phases over several years. Additional agreements on energy, artificial intelligence, aviation financing, transport and health were signed during the same visit, indicating a broader bilateral cooperation framework.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A new global destination. Here, in France,” — Emmanuel Macron.
