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.
