Saudi Arabia will host football's biggest tournament from November 21 to December 18, 2034. Eight world-class stadiums across five host cities, an estimated 1.5 million international visitors, and the first World Cup held in the Kingdom.
The FIFA World Cup 2034 will be the first held in Saudi Arabia, marking a watershed moment in the Kingdom's Vision 2030 transformation. With 48 teams competing across 104 matches in 28 days, it will be the largest World Cup ever staged.
The tournament is scheduled for November 21 – December 18, 2034, taking advantage of Saudi Arabia's mild winter climate when temperatures in most host cities range from 18–28°C.
Five Saudi cities will host matches, each offering a distinct experience:
Capital city. King Salman Stadium (92,000 capacity) — hosts the Final.
Red Sea gateway. King Abdullah Sports City — hosts a semi-final.
Eastern Province. Arabian Gulf Stadium — group stage and round of 32.
Highland city at 2,270m. Cool-climate venue — group stage matches.
Future city. State-of-the-art stadium in the Trojena mountain resort zone.
| Stadium | City | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| King Salman Stadium | Riyadh | 92,000 |
| King Abdullah Sports City | Jeddah | 62,000 |
| Prince Mohamed bin Fahd | Al Khobar | 45,000 |
| Neom Bay Stadium | NEOM | 45,000 |
| Asir Arena | Abha | 45,000 |
FIFA typically opens the official ticket portal approximately 12–18 months before the tournament. Based on past World Cups, expect the first sales phase in early 2033. A Fan ID system (modeled on Qatar 2022's Hayya card) will likely be required for all ticket holders – this doubles as an entry visa for the duration of the tournament.
Historically, host nations waive standard visa requirements for World Cup ticket holders via a Fan ID system. Saudi Arabia is expected to follow this model, meaning fans from all nationalities will be able to enter the country with just their match ticket and Fan ID. No separate tourist visa will be needed during the tournament window.
November–December is Saudi Arabia's cool season. Expect 18–25°C in Riyadh, 22–28°C in Jeddah, and 12–18°C in Abha's highlands. All stadiums will have advanced cooling systems regardless.
Alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia by law. This will not change for the World Cup (Qatar also maintained its alcohol restrictions in 2022). Fan zones may offer non-alcoholic alternatives.
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in inter-city rail. The Haramain High-Speed Rail connects Jeddah to Makkah/Madinah, and new lines are planned. Domestic flights between Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar take 1–2 hours. FIFA will likely arrange dedicated match-day shuttle services.
Riyadh and Jeddah have the most hotel capacity and will host the most matches. Riyadh is the best base for attending the final and knock-out rounds. If your team plays group stage matches in Al Khobar or Abha, consider short 2–3 night stays in those cities before returning to a central hub.