Tomorrow (Thursday), the global WBC Boxing Grand Prix Championship will kick off in Riyadh in collaboration with Riyadh Season, featuring 128 boxers representing more than 40 countries around the world. The event is considered one of the largest championships aimed at discovering the next generation of boxing stars. The championship, sponsored by Riyadh Season and organized by the World Boxing Council (WBC), comes as part of ongoing efforts to boost the sport’s global presence and expand its fan base. The competition follows a single-elimination format across four stages throughout the year, culminating in the grand finals in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday, December 20, where four winners will be crowned “WBC Grand Prix” champions in each of the four weight classes: featherweight, super lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight. The first stage of the championship will take place from Thursday, April 17 to Sunday, April 20, featuring 64 bouts across the four weight divisions. These will be held at the Global Stage (Super Globe) in the Studio Area of Boulevard City, with free public access through tickets available on the WeBook app. The second stage will be held from April 20 to 22, featuring 32 bouts. The third stage is scheduled for August 15 and 16, with 16 bouts, while the fourth stage will take place on October 18, showcasing 8 bouts that will determine the finalists for the grand finale, which will include 4 championship bouts—one in each weight division. The championship bouts in the preliminary stages will consist of 6 rounds, while the final matches will be 8 rounds, making this event a unique and high-standard tournament, approved by the WBC to enhance competitive quality and minimize scoring controversies. HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced the launch of the “WBC Grand Prix” in collaboration with the WBC last December. He commented: “This collaboration with the World Boxing Council (WBC) presents a great opportunity for young aspiring boxers to showcase their talents on a global stage. Riyadh Season has hosted some of the world’s biggest boxing events, and we believe that the Grand Prix Championship will significantly contribute to developing the next generation of talented fighters.” This major championship aims to spotlight emerging boxing talents and open the door for rising stars to compete in a prestigious global event, under the banner of an esteemed organization like the WBC and before a wide international audience. Hosting the finals in Riyadh reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s growing stature as a leading destination for global events and its ongoing efforts to cement its position as a hub for major international championships. The WBC Grand Prix is considered one of the most prominent boxing initiatives of the year, offering a unique blend of professionalism and development—both in terms of organization and athlete quality—amid global anticipation for the new talents who may become the next stars of world boxing.