Financing sport in the MENA region: Islamic banking and the funding of sport stadiums and infrastructure

Nicholas M. Watanabe

In recent years, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has experienced significant growth in the sport industry, including the hosting of numerous high profile events. Alongside this boom in the sport sector has also been a growth in the building of world-class sport and entertainment venues, as well as training facilities needed to meet the demands of governing bodies, sport teams, fans, sponsors, and other key stakeholders. The current case study considers different methods through which major facility projects can be financed, including specific issues and challenges for funding stadiums in the MENA region. This case introduces funding methods that are allowed under Islamic financial law, while also analyzing the potential of public-private partnerships to finance sport venues