press release: GymNation
Massive ‘Good Luck’ message appears in Saudi Desert as Green Falcons head to World Cup
Passengers flying out of Riyadh this week have been treated to an extraordinary sight from the skies after GymNation unveiled a giant desert sand mural supporting the Saudi Arabia National Football Team ahead of the FIFA World Cup in the United States.
Located close to Riyadh airport and clearly visible from departing aircraft, the enormous artwork spells out a simple but powerful message: "Good Luck".
Covering approximately 7,000 square metres – roughly the size of a professional football pitch – the giant desert installation has already begun attracting attention on social media, with travellers sharing aerial photographs and videos of the landmark tribute as the Green Falcons departed for the tournament.
The artwork was commissioned by GymNation and created by acclaimed Saudi artist and curator Lulwah Al Homoud, who led the ambitious project in the desert landscape outside the capital.
To celebrate Saudi Arabia's World Cup campaign, GymNation has also announced it will give away 50 free gym memberships every time the national team scores a goal during the tournament.
Fans can register for the giveaway at: https://gymnation.com/en-sa/world-cup/
GymNation will also host World Cup watch parties across selected gyms throughout the competition, with members and non-members invited to take part in special spin classes while watching matches live on big screens. The events are designed to bring football fans together for a unique fitness-meets-football experience as Saudi Arabia competes on the world's biggest sporting stage.
Rory McEntee, chief marketing officer at GymNation, said: "Football has an incredible ability to bring people together and the World Cup is one of those rare moments when an entire nation gets behind its team.
"We wanted to create something bold, visible and uniquely Saudi to send the Green Falcons on their way. The mural spans around 7,000 square metres – the size of a football pitch – and celebrates a huge moment of national pride.
"We're also giving away 50 free memberships every time Saudi Arabia scores, and hosting watch parties across our gyms so fans can experience every moment of the tournament together."
Artist and curator Lulwah Al Homoud added: "When GymNation approached me about creating something on this scale, I immediately loved the idea. As a Saudi and a football fan, it was an opportunity to contribute to a special national moment.
"Creating artwork in the desert landscape, visible from the air as the team departed for the World Cup, has been an incredibly rewarding experience."
The campaign continues GymNation's reputation for creating unconventional community-driven activations, blending sport, culture and national pride while supporting the Green Falcons on football's biggest stage.
Frank Afeaki: founder and COO
Ant Martland, founder and CCO
William Rasmussen-Dean, country director
Ishan Patil, head of finance
Ian Mullane, board member
In 2026, GymNation plans to open another 20-30 locations across the GCC, and with many more in the pipeline our aim is to become the largest gym chain across the GCC.
Behind the scenes, we’re diligently advancing our position as a world leading operator in the integration of technology, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
Our commitment extends beyond mere application, aiming to spearhead discussions and set benchmarks within the fitness industry and beyond, ensuring GymNation remains at the cutting edge of innovation.
We’re not just building gyms; our vision is to play a lead role as the region’s movement partner, championing healthy and active lifestyles alongside the importance of mental health and well-being.
