His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah inaugurated the third phase of Al-Shaheed Park under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at a ceremony held at 8 pm on September 30, 2026. The Amiri Diwan announced that the Prime Minister represented the Amir at the event, which began with the national anthem and a recitation from the Holy Quran before a speech by the Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah. The Prime Minister then unveiled a memorial to officially open the expanded section of the park, which has become one of the country’s most visited public destinations.
According to a KUNA dispatch, the opening ceremony featured the national artistic production “Al-Soor” at the park’s Al-Sour Theatre with participation by several prominent Kuwaiti artists. The event drew senior state officials and underscored the project’s status as a national landmark dedicated to preserving the memory of the country’s martyrs while offering extensive recreational space. The gathering at the administrative building of the new phase also followed a recent Cabinet meeting held on site to review final preparations.
A Cabinet briefing earlier conveyed through KUNA placed the third phase across 243,605 square metres, including 203,162 square metres of built-up area with 190,661 square metres dedicated to green spaces and 16,232 square metres for investment activities. The expansion introduces an array of facilities ranging from the 2,300-seat Roman-style Al-Sour Theatre complex with an outdoor cinema and multipurpose hall to an Olympic-sized ice skating rink, an indoor snow attraction, a 650-metre electric karting circuit and a 2.4-kilometre running track. Additional elements include a women’s health club, cafés, retail outlets, a mosque, shaded family play areas, a maze garden and interactive installations designed for all age groups.
Al-Shaheed Park, Kuwait’s largest urban green space situated in the heart of the capital between high-rise buildings, opened its first phase in March 2015 and its second phase in April 2017. The project has drawn more than five million visitors across various age groups in the years following its initial launch while hosting thousands of cultural, sports and family events, according to historical data published by KUNA. The third phase builds directly on that foundation by integrating culture, arts, entertainment and sports within a sustainable modern environment that aligns with broader national development goals.
Anwar Al-Yatami, head of the Supervision, Management and Follow-up Committee for the third phase and representative of the Amiri Diwan, described the park as a national project that adds a new dimension to Kuwait’s cultural and recreational landscape during a press conference at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre. She noted that the latest additions aim to strengthen the site’s position as a comprehensive destination offering integrated experiences for families and visitors alike while advancing themes of peace, harmony and hope. Nadera Al-Ahmad, a member of the same committee, told the same gathering that the accompanying two-day carnival on October 1 and 2 would feature light shows, Kuwaiti heritage performances, festive processions, artistic installations, parkour displays and skating activities to introduce the public to the new amenities.
The carnival program transforms the entire park into a vibrant venue over the two days immediately following the formal inauguration, allowing residents to explore the expanded offerings that include both paid attractions and free public zones. Supervisory committee members emphasised that the development adheres to the highest international standards and forms part of the green belt surrounding the capital, as approved in earlier Municipal Council sessions reported by KUNA. With its combination of green expanses, performance venues and family-oriented sports facilities, the completed park now stands as a central hub for community activity in Kuwait City.
