Saudi Arabia prepares 17 venues for football season, 8 stadiums for 2027 Asian Cup

The Ministry of Sports in Saudi Arabia has prepared 17 venues for domestic football this season, with eight stadiums in Riyadh, Alkhobar, and Jeddah set to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Thamer Bassenbal, Deputy Minister of Sports for Sports Facilities, shared these details during a recent press conference. Bassenbal emphasized that 2026 marks a crucial year for Saudi sports, with new venues set to open.

He confirmed that King Fahd Sports City is nearing completion, aiming to accommodate 70,200 spectators and be ready by the end of the year for the 2027 Asian Cup. The renovation of the Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University Stadium is also well underway and will be operational by year-end, with the option to host the Asian Cup.

Regarding King Fahd International Stadium, Bassenbal revealed that it was initially intended for closure after the 2027 Asian Cup for upgrades. However, efforts are being made to avoid closure, with plans to develop a mechanism to accommodate future needs. Bassenbal clarified that the initial project for upgrading King Fahd Sports City in Riyadh had to be revised following Saudi Arabia's successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The Ministry decided to divide the project into two phases due to the revised FIFA requirements for hosting semi-finals. He assured that the preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup venues are progressing smoothly, with ongoing work on subsequent tournaments.