Social media influencer Taylor Ward, wife of Riyad Mahrez, is back for season 2 of Married to The Game on Amazon Prime. After relocating to Saudi Arabia in 2023, Ward shares an intimate look into her luxurious new life in the Kingdom and the challenges she faced settling in.
It’s not easy to make a life-changing move to a new country, especially when it involves uprooting your whole life for your partner’s job. But when your husband happens to be a high-profile footballer with a £30 million contract, the stakes are a bit different.
Taylor Ward, the 27-year-old influencer born and raised in Manchester, is familiar with that exact scenario. In 2023, she found herself living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after her husband, Riyad Mahrez, secured a lucrative deal with Saudi Pro League’s Al-Ahli.
For many, this might sound like a dream come true—a luxurious home in a sun-soaked city. But as Ward soon realized, the reality of such a move is far from simple.
A Life on Camera
When the news broke that Mahrez had made the high-profile move, Taylor’s life, as she knew it, was about to change. But the shock didn’t end there. Her every step, her every emotion, was to be captured for the Amazon Prime reality show Married to The Game. This show follows the lives of women married to top-tier footballers, revealing not only the glamour but also the often-hidden struggles that come with such a high-profile lifestyle.
In the first season, Ward’s vulnerability was on full display. The series captured her emotional moments as she came to terms with the reality of moving to Saudi Arabia. In one heart-wrenching scene, she confided in her sister Darby, “I feel like everyone is going to be all over the place. It’s just going to be so hard. Life is going to be so different.”
The weight of these words spoke to the pressures that come with being thrust into a completely new life—one filled with uncertainty and unfamiliarity.
Finding Her Place in Saudi Arabia
It’s no secret that Saudi Arabia presents a different cultural environment compared to the UK. Ward was faced with the added difficulty of adjusting to the country’s strict cultural norms, some of which didn’t sit well with her. Reports from various media outlets have highlighted how women married to footballers in the Gulf often face public scrutiny, and Ward wasn’t immune to that. In 2024, a Mail Online article suggested that several WAGs (wives and girlfriends of footballers) experienced public abuse and were even barred from entering shops and restaurants due to their dress.
Ward’s challenges weren’t just emotional—they were social, too. The sometimes restrictive environment of Saudi Arabia left her grappling with whether or not she would be able to thrive in her new surroundings. In earlier interviews, she admitted feeling like “it’s so hard,” and that “I don’t have a choice.”
Still, Ward managed to navigate through these struggles, finding solace in her family, her husband, and eventually, her new home.
A Lavish New Home
As the second season of Married to The Game rolls out, viewers get a deeper glimpse into Ward’s transformation. The challenges she once faced are still present, but there’s also a sense of peace and contentment that has emerged with time. And a large part of that comes from the lavish new home she shares with Mahrez.
Despite her initial reluctance to embrace her new life in Saudi Arabia, Ward now enjoys the luxurious surroundings of her plush mansion in Jeddah. The home, which serves as a backdrop for many of the show’s episodes, exudes opulence with its modern design, extensive gardens, and spectacular views. It’s a far cry from the simple Manchester life Ward once knew, but she has gradually made it her own.
In the new season of Married to The Game, she opens up about how she has found new ways to connect with her surroundings, from developing a newfound love for the culture to hosting intimate gatherings in her stunning home. Ward’s journey from reluctant expat to proud resident of Saudi Arabia is both heartwarming and eye-opening for fans of the show.
An Evolving Love for Saudi Arabia
One of the most compelling aspects of Ward’s journey is the way her perspective on life in Saudi Arabia has evolved. Initially overwhelmed by the culture shock and the social pressures, she now finds herself embracing aspects of her new life. Her relationship with Riyad Mahrez has undoubtedly played a key role in her adaptation, but she’s also found ways to thrive outside of her husband’s shadow.
Ward has shared glimpses of her newfound love for the Kingdom, finding inspiration in the culture, the food, and the people. “It’s different, but I’m learning to love it,” she says in one of the episodes, signaling a shift in her mindset.
The lavish lifestyle that comes with being married to a Premier League footballer is part of the equation, of course. But Ward is quick to emphasize that her journey is about more than just luxury. It’s about personal growth, adapting to new circumstances, and ultimately making the best of what life has thrown her way.
What’s Next for Taylor Ward?
As the second season of Married to The Game continues to showcase her life, it’s clear that Taylor Ward is no longer just Riyad Mahrez’s wife. She’s carving out a space for herself, both on-screen and off-screen, as a woman with agency and strength. And while the glitz and glamour are certainly a part of her life, Ward’s story is one of adaptation, resilience, and finding her voice in a foreign land.
As she continues to navigate her life in Saudi Arabia, there’s no telling what’s next for Taylor Ward. One thing is for sure, though: she’s living life on her own terms, and her story is far from over.
