Regulatory update / Sports centres
Gyms and sports centres: 15% Saudization from 18 November 2026
The deadline is approaching. If your gym or sports centre has four or more people in the covered coaching and supervision jobs, meet the 15% Saudi staffing requirement by 18 November 2026.
- Required share
- 15%
- Starts
- 18 November 2026
- Per licensed outlet
- 4+ listed workers
01 / Check your business
Does this affect you?
Men’s and women’s gyms and sports centres: activities 931221 and 931222. The rule also applies if you carry out these activities under a different registered activity.
Count the 12 listed coaching and supervision jobs at each outlet with its own Ministry of Sports licence. Include Saudi and non-Saudi staff in those jobs; do not use your total payroll.
02 / Your next step
What should you do?
Check the staff list
Ask HR to match employees’ occupation codes and actual duties to the 12 jobs below. Check Qiwa and GOSI records against each outlet’s licence.
Calculate the required Saudi staff
For an outlet with four or more covered workers, multiply that count by 15%. Round to the nearest whole number; 0.5 rounds up.
Complete hiring before 18 November
Fill any shortfall with Saudi staff and complete their employment registrations. Keep the outlet licence, staff list and calculation together, and confirm the updated records.
03 / Check the source
Sources & supporting detail
Deadline reminder from DuVolks. HRSD Decision 72002 was issued on 18 November 2025 and takes effect on 18 November 2026.
See the 12 covered jobs and occupation codes
Covered Titles (12)
Codes are from the Saudi Unified Occupational Classification as listed in Table 2 of HRSD's procedural guide for Decision 72002.
General coaching and supervision
- 342201 Sports Coach
- 342221 Sports Supervisor
- 342301 Fitness Trainer
- 342302 Personal Trainer
Professional sport coaches
- 342203 Professional Football Coach
- 342205 Professional Ball-Sports Coach
- 342207 Professional Self-Defence Sports Coach
- 342209 Professional Racket-Sports Coach
- 342211 Professional Water-Sports Coach
- 342213 Professional Ice-Sports Coach
- 342217 Professional Equestrian Coach
- 342219 Professional Athletics Coach
Reception, sales, cleaning and management roles are not on this list — but receptionists and administrative staff are 100% Saudi under the separate administrative-support decision.
Need help applying this to your business?
DuVolks can help you check the covered roles, calculate the staffing requirement and coordinate employment records.