$7 Billion Dragon Ball Z Theme Park in Development

France and Saudi Arabia are partnering to construct a €6 billion ($7 billion) manga amusement park inspired by Dragon Ball Z. The Élysée Palace announced the plans on Monday, confirming that the complex will be built northwest of Paris.

According to a report from Reuters, the concept originated during a 2025 meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Both leaders discovered during their talks that they were fans of Akira Toriyama‘s work on the Dragon Ball franchise.

Saudi entertainment and investment group Qiddiya will finance the French development. The firm is also building the Dragon Ball theme park in Qiddiya City outside Riyadh. That Saudi location includes plans for more than five rides, 30 attractions, hotels, restaurants, and a 230-foot Shenron statue.

The French project is part of a broader push by Saudi Arabia into sports and entertainment, an effort critics describe as “sportswashing” to reshape the country’s public image. Saudi Arabia previously created the LIV Golf league, and its Public Investment Fund recently completed the purchase of gaming giant EA.

The Saudi government faces ongoing international criticism for its human rights abuses and authoritarian rule. The state utilizes capital punishment for various nonviolent offenses, tortures prisoners, restricts freedom of speech, enforces anti-LGBTQ laws, and subjects migrant laborers to harsh conditions. CIA findings also revealed that bin Salman was accused of ordering the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

The announcement did not include an opening date or construction timeline. The venue is one of three theme parks France plans to develop near Paris.

Source: Polygon