In brief
At the 2026 Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, the Riyadh Metro earned a place among the world’s top four transport projects, as announced by the Saudi Press Agency. This accolade was given amid a crowded field of 533 submissions from 68 countries, underscoring Riyadh’s ambition to showcase its large‑scale, technologically advanced, and sustainable mobility system. While the announcement highlights the metro’s contribution to reducing carbon emissions and easing traffic, it does not detail the exact ranking or long‑term outcomes of the project.
On November 5, 2026, the Saudi Press Agency announced that the Riyadh Metro, overseen by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, was named one of the world’s top four transport projects at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
The announcement followed the Metro’s participation in a global competition that drew 533 entries from 68 countries. It was held under the theme “Urban Solutions, Real Impact” and featured more than 600 international speakers discussing digital transformation, mobility, energy, and infrastructure.
The recognition highlights the Metro’s scale, advanced technology and role in Saudi Arabia’s sustainable mobility strategy. According to the Press Agency, the project is one of the world’s largest and most modern public transport initiatives, designed to reduce carbon emissions, improve traffic flow, and accommodate the city’s rapid population growth and urban expansion.
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City is showcasing the use of data and modern technologies in city planning and management through the Riyadh Data Hub, digital twin applications, and artificial intelligence. It also underlines the city’s experience in developing public transport systems, managing traffic, and its experience implementing the Green Riyadh program.
The award comes at a time when global interest in sustainable urban transit is intensifying. The Smart City Expo World Congress is one of the world’s leading international gatherings focused on urban development and envisioning future cities.
While the announcement confirms the Metro’s status as a top‑tier transport project, the Saudi Press Agency does not specify the exact ranking within the top four, nor does it provide detailed metrics on the project's projected reduction in emissions or impact on traffic congestion. It also does not disclose the specific technologies that set the Metro apart from other entries or the methodology used by the Expo’s judging committee to evaluate the projects.
The Riders’ Brotherhood, a local transport advocacy group, expressed support for the recognition but noted that measuring actual impact will require longitudinal studies. They urged the Royal Commission for Riyadh City to publish performance data once the Metro is operational to enable accountability and continuous improvement.
In summary, the Riyadh Metro’s inclusion among the world’s top four transport projects at the 2026 Smart City Expo World Congress signals international recognition of Saudi Arabia’s public‑transport ambitions. Nonetheless, the exact criteria, ranking, and projected outcomes remain unspecified and will likely become clearer as the Metro rolls out and monitors its effects on the city’s mobility and environment.
