The circuit came into existence through a ten-year agreement signed in May 2018 between Formula E Holdings and the Saudi Arabian government, brokered with the General Sports Authority and the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation as part of Saudi Arabia's broader programme to attract international sporting events. The initial design, unveiled in September 2018 at the Governate of Diriyah, called for a layout of 2.847 km. The final configuration was shortened to 2.495 km with 21 turns, a compact and twisty layout whose tight second sector was considered distinctive within the Formula E calendar.
The 2.495 km circuit in its original form was notable for its unusually high turn count relative to its length, creating a technical, stop-start character. Before the 2021 race the track was revised and resurfaced, with Turns 9, 13, 18, and 19 reprofiled and the start straight repositioned ahead of Turn 18. The 2021 edition also introduced racing after dark, with the circuit bathed in artificial lighting — Formula E's first night race format, which became a signature element of the Diriyah weekend.
The inaugural 2018 race was the first Formula E event held in the Middle East, and also the opening race of the Gen 2 car era. BMW's António Félix da Costa took pole position and converted it into a victory in BMW's first Formula E win.
The 2019 weekend was run as a double-header, with two races on the same weekend. Sam Bird won the opening race for Envision-Virgin after Alexander Sims could not convert his pole position, while Sims took the win in race two.
For 2021 the event returned as a night race. Nyck de Vries led every lap from pole for Mercedes-EQ in the first race, and Sam Bird won a chaotic second race for Jaguar after Robin Frijns had led from pole before a late-race incident.
The 2022 Diriyah E-Prix saw the debut of Formula E's revised qualifying format for Season 8. Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries delivered a Mercedes one-two in race one, and ROKIT Venturi took race two with de Vries again on pole.
In 2023, the event moved to rounds 2 and 3 of the season, following the new Gen 3 era's opening round in Mexico City. Pascal Wehrlein won both races for Porsche, becoming the fifth driver in Formula E history to win two races at the same venue on the same weekend. Jake Dennis finished second in both races, strengthening his championship lead.
The final Diriyah ePrix was held on 26 and 27 January 2024 and was won by Nick Cassidy for Jaguar. Shortly thereafter, Formula E announced the Saudi Arabian round would move to Jeddah, ending the Diriyah chapter after six seasons.
The Riyadh Street Circuit was significant as the gateway for Formula E into the Middle East and a pioneering venue for night-race street circuits in the electric championship. Over its six-year run, the Diriyah weekend became one of the most anticipated rounds on the calendar, combining a technically demanding layout with a distinctive night-race spectacle against the backdrop of the historic Diriyah heritage site.