The short answer
| Your event is mainly… | Start with |
|---|---|
| A conference, forum, seminar, workshop, training course, meeting, lecture or exhibition | SCEGA, the Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority |
| A concert, show, festival or other entertainment activity | GEA, the General Entertainment Authority |
| A mix of business and entertainment | Check both; the format of each part decides |
| Organized by a government entity | SCEGA issues a Government Approval for government business events |
SCEGA: business events
SCEGA licenses business events by type: conferences and forums, seminars, workshops, training courses, meetings, lectures, and trade, product showcase, consumer goods and charity exhibitions. Organizers apply on the SCEGA e-portal. See SCEGA permits.
GEA: entertainment activities
The General Entertainment Authority regulates entertainment activities. In June 2026 the Council of Ministers approved a new Entertainment Activities and Supporting Activities Law, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. A gala dinner with a headline performer, a public concert or a festival will usually raise GEA questions.
Other bodies and the Enjz platform
Some events involve other government bodies as well, for security, traffic, health or the use of public space. The National Events Center runs the Enjz platform (أنجز) to help organizers obtain the permits an event needs across entities, without replacing the authority that licenses the event.
Mixed events
A product launch with a concert, a conference with a public festival area, or an exhibition with ticketed shows can need more than one approval. Map every part of the program first, then decide the path.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and authorities update their rules. bilievent is not a government body. We check your specific event against the current rules before advising.
Questions
Is a corporate gala dinner a SCEGA event?
It depends on what happens at it. A dinner with speeches and awards for business guests is different from one with a public ticketed performance. Send us the program.
Who should I ask if I am still unsure?
Start with us: we review the format and recommend the path, and where the line is unclear we recommend confirming with the authority before applying.
Sources: Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority (scega.gov.sa) · SCEGA e-portal (eportal.scega.gov.sa) · Saudi Press Agency: Entertainment Activities and Supporting Activities Law approved (June 2026) · Saudi Press Agency: National Events Center launches the Enjz (أنجز) platform.
Last reviewed: October 1, 2026