https://arab.news/v6hrq
- Head of the General Entertainment Authority announced all Riyadh Season events will be exclusively streamed on the WeBook platform
- WeBook has attracted 5 million users from over 160 countries, offering access to more than 520 global events
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s event booking platform, WeBook, aims to become a billion-dollar company as it signals its intention to list on the stock exchange.
Launched in October 2023 during the Riyadh Season, WeBook quickly became essential for managing attendance, selling over 11 million tickets and supported by a 2,500-member team.
At a recent press conference for the upcoming Riyadh Season, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, announced that all events will be exclusively streamed on the WeBook platform.
“This year, all our events will be available exclusively through WeBook – there will be no TV transmission. So, if you want to watch, watch via WeBook,” he said.
Alalshikh added that viewers will have two options: a free, ad-supported version or a premium, ad-free subscription.
In a post on his X account, Alalshikh revealed that ticket sales via the WeBook platform have exceeded SR1 billion ($266.5 million).
He expressed hopes that the platform, rated at 4.8 out of 5, will become a billion-dollar company listed on the Saudi market.
WeBook has attracted 5 million users from over 160 countries, offering access to more than 520 global events, according to its website.
The platform has enhanced the ticket-buying process with features like waitlists, improved resale options, a loyalty program, and faster payments via Apple Pay.
WeBook has also created a team to collaborate with local authorities to combat ticket fraud. The team has canceled over 18,000 counterfeit tickets, shut down eight black market sites, banned over 5,000 accounts, and monitored more than 3 million transactions.
Last year, WeBook generated over SR45 million in revenue, served more than 65,500 users, and facilitated over 100,000 resales.
The Saudi Pro League announced in August that it has signed a three-year deal with WeBook to handle ticket sales for ROSHN Saudi League matches, starting with the 2024-25 season. The agreement aims to streamline the fan experience, offering early access to tickets and season passes for fans inside the Kingdom and abroad.
With its continued growth and innovative features, WeBook is poised to play a significant role in Saudi Arabia’s entertainment and event management landscape.