Desaru Coast, Malaysia: RM10m Karting Circuit and Racquet Club Set to Open by End-2026

Desaru Coast, Malaysia, is racing towards a new attraction as Arina International invests RM10 million in a karting circuit and racquet club, adding fresh sport, family fun and events.

Desaru Coast, Malaysia, is getting a major new sports attraction as Arina International builds a RM10 million karting circuit and racquet club. The Desaru Coast project will add competitive karting, kids’ racing, pickleball and spectator facilities to the resort destination. Meanwhile, construction has started at Riverside, with the facility targeted to open by the end of 2026.

The new karting circuit will serve recreational drivers, corporate groups and motorsport fans, while an indoor kids’ circuit will cater to children aged four to 12. Together, these facilities will strengthen Desaru Coast’s appeal as a family-friendly destination combining holidays, sport, entertainment and organised events.

Desaru Coast in Johor is expanding its sports and leisure offering with a new RM10 million karting circuit and racquet club being developed by Singapore-based Arina International Holding Pte Ltd.

Construction has already started at Riverside, with the new facility expected to open by the end of 2026. The project will become the centrepiece of The Sports Arina, a development designed to bring competitive sport, family recreation and leisure activities together within the resort destination.

New karting facility takes shape at Riverside

The headline attraction will be a competitive karting circuit featuring professional-grade karts and an electronic timing system. The facility is expected to accommodate recreational drivers, motorsport enthusiasts, corporate groups and organised racing events.

For younger visitors, Arina International is also bringing its KF KIDDY CIRCUIT, an air-conditioned indoor karting facility designed for children aged four to 12.

The children’s circuit is planned as a safety-focused introduction to karting. Individual driving sessions and birthday packages are among the experiences expected to be offered.

Spectator seating, dining areas and merchandise outlets will add to the overall visitor experience and create supporting facilities around the racing activity.

Pickleball expansion adds another sporting draw

The karting project will build on Arina International’s existing presence at Riverside. The company opened three outdoor pickleball courts at the location in July 2026.

Three additional pickleball courts are planned, while padel facilities are also included in a future development phase.

This approach gives The Sports Arina a broader sporting proposition rather than positioning the venue solely as a karting destination. Visitors will be able to combine different activities during the same trip, while families can choose experiences suited to both adults and children.

Arina sees opportunity between Malaysia and Singapore

Arina International Chairman Richard Tan said Desaru Coast’s accessibility and established tourism infrastructure were important factors behind the investment.

The company already operates the KF1 Karting brand and has five kiddy karting outlets across Johor and Kuala Lumpur. It also operates sports facilities in Singapore, including The Sports Arina at Jalan Kayu, with another facility at Piccadilly planned for early 2027.

The group’s existing experience also extends to major motorsport events. Arina International has supported the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix since 2008, providing temporary infrastructure such as hospitality facilities, track lighting and event-support spaces.

That operational background gives the Desaru Coast project a direct connection to the wider motorsport and sports-entertainment sector.

Sports complement Desaru Coast’s resort attractions

Desaru Coast is positioning the new development within a much wider holiday ecosystem.

Families visiting Riverside will be able to combine karting and pickleball with attractions such as Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast. Golfers can also access the 45-hole offering at The Els Club Desaru Coast, comprising the Ocean Course, designed by Ernie Els, and the Valley Course, designed by Vijay Singh.

The destination is spread across approximately 4,000 acres along 17 kilometres of beachfront in southeastern Johor. Its accommodation portfolio includes Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast; Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas; The Westin Desaru Coast Resort; and Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.

A wider tourism proposition for Desaru Coast

The investment reflects Desaru Coast’s broader evolution from a resort-led destination towards a more diversified leisure and events hub.

Its road and ferry connectivity with Singapore, together with road access from Kuala Lumpur and air access via Senai International Airport, provides a regional catchment for the new sports facilities.

For Arina International, the combination of karting, racquet sports, hospitality and existing attractions creates an opportunity to attract both dedicated sports visitors and holidaymakers looking for additional activities.

For Desaru Coast, the new circuit adds another reason for visitors to stay longer and build sport and recreation into their itineraries.

Desaru Coast, Malaysia, is adding a major new attraction with Arina International’s RM10 million karting circuit and racquet club. The new Desaru Coast facility will combine competitive karting, kids’ karting, pickleball and future padel facilities at Riverside. The investment answers growing demand for more varied leisure experiences within resort destinations. It also gives families, corporate groups and motorsport enthusiasts another reason to visit Johor. Meanwhile, Arina International brings established karting and sports-facility experience to the project, strengthening its operational proposition. The location also benefits from Desaru Coast’s resorts, golf, waterpark and regional links with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. As a result, the karting circuit could help broaden the destination’s visitor appeal beyond traditional beach holidays. The project therefore fits Desaru Coast’s strategy of developing a more integrated tourism ecosystem where accommodation, sport, entertainment and family activities work together to create longer and more varied stays.

The cause behind the project is Desaru Coast’s growing focus on experiences that extend beyond hotels and beaches. The answer is The Sports Arina, a new sports and leisure hub centred on a RM10 million karting circuit and racquet club. The reason it matters is its ability to serve several visitor groups at once. Motorsport enthusiasts can use the competitive circuit, children can experience the indoor KF KIDDY CIRCUIT, while families and groups can play pickleball. Arina International’s existing karting and sports operations also provide relevant expertise. Furthermore, Desaru Coast’s resorts, waterpark, golf courses and connectivity strengthen the commercial case for another visitor attraction.