Riyadh-based Webook, described as Saudi Arabia’s largest booking platform for events and experiences, has revealed plans to expand its operations from the Middle East into Europe. With a solid track record, including sales of 10 million tickets and a user base of 8 million unique visitors, Webook is now targeting key European markets.
Founded in 2016 under the name Hala Yalla, Webook initially began as a platform to book football pitches. It has since expanded into offering a range of services, including event ticketing, hospitality, and spectator sports. After gaining a foothold in the UAE, Morocco, and Bahrain, the company is set to enter the UK, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.
“We are expanding globally as it is a vital strategy for us,” says co-founder and COO Farrukh Bandey, who emphasizes the importance of this expansion in the company’s broader long-term vision. Webook plans to go public within the next three to five years.
The company has already set up an office in Dubai, and it views the UAE as its second most important market for the current year.
The rise of entertainment in Saudi Arabia, particularly under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership, has contributed to Webook’s growth. With half of Saudi Arabia’s population under 30, the country has undergone significant social changes since 2017, including the lifting of cinema bans and allowing women to drive.
Webook’s services now include ticketing for high-profile events like the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, the FIFA Club World Cup, and more than 90 percent of Saudi Premier League matches. The company is also positioning itself to bid for ticketing contracts for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Expanding to the UK, the world’s third-largest online ticketing market, worth $4.3 billion in 2022, poses challenges. The competition is intense, with major players like Ticketmaster dominating the scene. Despite this, Webook is determined to secure contracts for the English Premier League.