Road to AFC Asian Cup 2027: Saudi Arabia prepares to welcome tourists with hospitality, technology

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is accelerating preparations to host the AFC Asian Cup, which takes place from Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, 2027, by using the continent’s biggest football tournament to showcase tourism, hospitality and digital infrastructure ahead of larger global events, including Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

As the Kingdom hosts the tournament for the first time, officials and industry leaders say the event will test everything — from visa processing to transportation to hotels and restaurants, along with AI-powered visitor services — while encouraging fans to explore Saudi Arabia beyond the stadiums.

Abdullah Al-Dakhil, spokesperson for the Saudi Tourism Authority, told Arab News: “At STA our ambition is to position the tournament not only as a world-class sporting event, but as a gateway to discovering Saudi’s rich culture, diverse destinations and renowned hospitality.”

He said making travel as seamless as possible was a priority.

Building on the success of the Kingdom’s eVisa, visa-on-arrival and Stopover Transit Visa programs, Saudi Arabia has introduced the Package Visa, allowing eligible travelers in selected markets to obtain tourist visas through licensed travel providers as part of integrated travel packages.

Through the official AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 platform on Visit Saudi, fans can purchase packages combining flights, hotel accommodation and match tickets for Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar.

Each host city will also offer visitors cultural and tourism experiences between matches, from Diriyah and Boulevard World in Riyadh to Historic Jeddah and the Corniche, while Alkhobar offers coastal attractions including Half Moon Bay.

“Hosting the AFC Asian Cup 2027 is another important