France and Saudi Arabia Are Building a $7 Billion Dragon Ball Z Theme Park
If you grew up watching Goku turn Super Saiyan, arguing about whether Vegeta could beat him, or trying to fire a Kamehameha in your backyard, France might be getting a new reason to start planning a vacation.
France and Saudi Arabia have announced an enormous €6 billion (roughly $7 billion) agreement to develop three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris. One of those parks is expected to be centered around manga and Dragon Ball Z.
And yes, this is apparently real.
A $7 Billion Theme Park Project
The project is being financed by Saudi entertainment and investment group Qiddiya and is expected to create around 22,000 jobs in France.
The development would consist of three separate theme parks, although the themes of the other two haven't been finalized yet.
The Dragon Ball connection apparently goes all the way to the top. According to French officials, the idea grew out of conversations between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after discovering they shared an interest in manga particularly Dragon Ball Z.
Imagine two world leaders talking about Goku and somehow that conversation eventually turns into a multibillion-dollar theme park.
I can get behind that.
What Could a Dragon Ball Theme Park Look Like?
The exact attractions planned for the French park haven't been revealed yet, so don't expect a confirmed ride list.
However, we already have a pretty good idea of what Qiddiya thinks a full-scale Dragon Ball experience should look like.
Qiddiya is developing another massive Dragon Ball theme park in Saudi Arabia near Riyadh. That project covers more than 500,000 square meters and is divided into seven areas inspired by the seven Dragon Balls.
That park is planned to include more than 30 rides and attractions, along with recognizable locations including Kame House, Capsule Corporation and Beerus' Planet.
The centerpiece might be the craziest part: a gigantic 70-meter-tall Shenron containing a roller coaster.
If France gets anything remotely close to that level of effort, Dragon Ball fans are going to lose their minds.
Dragon Ball Is Perfect for a Theme Park
Dragon Ball has been around for more than 40 years, yet somehow it feels as relevant as ever.
Akira Toriyama created a universe filled with locations that practically beg to become real-world attractions. You could walk through Capsule Corporation, visit Kame House, eat at Dragon Ball-themed restaurants, train like a Saiyan or ride something designed around flying through the air on Nimbus.
There are decades of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super material to work with.
For people who grew up with the series, this isn't just another anime attraction. Dragon Ball was part of our childhood.
This Could Be Huge for Anime Tourism
France is already one of the biggest markets in the world for manga, making the Paris area a pretty logical location for something this ambitious.
A true Dragon Ball theme park could also attract visitors from far outside France. We're talking about a franchise with generations of fans across Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and practically everywhere else.
If the developers actually commit to making the environments feel authentic instead of building a few generic roller coasters and slapping Goku on them, this could become a bucket-list destination for anime fans.
There is currently no confirmed opening date, and a project this large will take years to complete.
Still, the fact that billions of dollars are being discussed for a development with Dragon Ball at its center says a lot about how far anime has come.
Twenty or thirty years ago, watching Dragon Ball Z felt like something primarily shared between kids rushing home to catch the next episode.
Now governments and investment funds are talking about spending billions to turn that world into a physical destination.
That's pretty damn cool.
Confirmed Dragon Ball Rides and Attractions So Far
Before we start planning our trip to Paris, there is one important distinction to make: France's new Dragon Ball Z project has not revealed its individual rides yet. However, Qiddiya is already developing a separate, enormous Dragon Ball Theme Park in Saudi Arabia, and we know considerably more about what that park will include.
Considering Qiddiya is also financing the newly announced French development, its Saudi Dragon Ball park gives us an exciting look at just how ambitious these projects can get.
Shenron Roller Coaster
This is easily the attraction I'm most excited about.
At the center of Qiddiya's Dragon Ball Theme Park will stand a massive 70-meter-tall Shenron, and the structure will actually contain the park's signature roller coaster.
Yes, they're building a giant Shenron with a roller coaster running through it.
If you're going to build a Dragon Ball theme park, that's how you do it.
More Than 30 Dragon Ball Rides
Qiddiya has officially confirmed that its Saudi Arabian park will feature more than 30 themed rides and attractions, including five major groundbreaking attractions.
Most of the individual rides haven't been named yet, meaning the Shenron coaster remains the big confirmed headliner.
Seven Dragon Ball-Themed Zones
The entire park will be divided into seven themed areas representing the seven Dragon Balls.
Rather than focusing exclusively on Dragon Ball Z, the experience will take visitors through different eras of the franchise, beginning with the original Dragon Ball and continuing through Dragon Ball Super.
That gives the designers decades of characters, villains, battles and locations to work with.
Kame House
One of the most iconic locations in Dragon Ball is officially being recreated.
Visitors will be able to explore Kame House, Master Roshi's tiny pink home sitting on its tropical island.
For longtime Dragon Ball fans, simply getting a picture standing outside Kame House might be worth the trip.
Capsule Corporation
Capsule Corporation is another confirmed location.
The home of Bulma, Vegeta and the Brief family has been one of the franchise's most recognizable locations for decades. Seeing Capsule Corp recreated at theme-park scale could be incredible.
And please let there be a Vegeta gravity-training attraction somewhere inside.
Beerus' Planet
Things aren't stopping with Dragon Ball Z.
Beerus' Planet from Dragon Ball Super will also be recreated, bringing the world of Beerus and Whis into the park.
Its bizarre environment should give designers plenty of opportunities to create something completely different from the Earth-based areas.
Interactive Dragon Ball Experiences
Qiddiya says the park won't simply consist of rides. Guests will be able to explore recognizable landmarks and participate in interactive and immersive experiences based on Dragon Ball's characters and stories.
Exactly what those experiences involve hasn't been fully revealed yet, but the goal appears to be making visitors feel like they've actually stepped into the Dragon Ball universe.
Dragon Ball Hotels
The experience won't necessarily end when the park closes.
Qiddiya has confirmed multiple themed hotels located within the development, meaning visitors will be able to stay surrounded by Dragon Ball theming throughout their trip.
Themed Restaurants and Food
The park will also include themed restaurants and dining experiences inspired by the Dragon Ball universe.
Considering how much Goku eats, they better have an all-you-can-eat option.
What About the France Dragon Ball Z Park?
This is where we need to separate confirmed information from speculation.
As of August 2026, none of the rides above have officially been confirmed for France's newly announced project near Paris. Specific rides, themed areas and attractions for the French development have not yet been publicly revealed.
That means there's currently no confirmation that France will get its own Shenron coaster, Kame House, Capsule Corporation or the same seven-zone layout.
But with Qiddiya behind both projects, I'll definitely be watching to see whether some of these ideas eventually make their way to France.
Because if they announce another 70-meter Shenron coaster near Paris, I'm buying a ticket.
I hope I can go one day. All I need to do is convince my fiancée that Saudi Arabia has progressed with public affections and clothing.