The Saudi and Qatari national teams will inaugurate the new stadium in Al Khobar on December 27.. The 47,000-seat sports venue is preparing to host the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2034 World Cup

Al Khobar | BETH – October 22, 2026

The city of Al Khobar is preparing for the opening of Aramco Stadium on Sunday, December 27, with an international friendly match between the Saudi and Qatari national teams. The occasion will mark both the inauguration of one of Saudi Arabia's most prominent sports projects and the two teams' preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals.

The match will take place ahead of the Asian tournament, which Saudi Arabia will host from January 7 to February 5, 2027, with the participation of national teams from across the continent and matches held in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar.

Aramco Stadium is one of the major sports projects in the Eastern Province, with a seating capacity of 47,000 spectators, within a complex covering 800,000 square meters. It includes training facilities, fan zones, commercial and entertainment areas, as well as cooling systems and modern technologies to serve players and spectators.

The stadium is scheduled to host matches during the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, before participating in hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup finals, including fixtures in the group stage, Round of 32, and Round of 16.

The stadium will become the home ground of Al Qadsiah Club and a destination for sporting, entertainment, and community events, strengthening Al Khobar's position among Saudi cities hosting international tournaments.

The Saudi Arabia–Qatar encounter adds further significance to the opening ceremony, as it will serve as an operational and spectator-readiness test for the new venue and an opportunity for both national teams to assess their preparedness ahead of the continental tournament.

The stadium's opening represents a significant addition to the Eastern Province's sports infrastructure, as part of the Kingdom's preparations to host Asian and international tournaments in the coming years.

New and Renovated Stadiums

The Kingdom's preparations for both tournaments continue through the construction of new stadiums and the development of existing facilities, most notably King Fahd Sports City in Riyadh, King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City in Jeddah, alongside other stadiums approved for the Asian Cup.

Plans for the 2034 FIFA World Cup include 15 stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM, including King Salman International Stadium, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Qiddiya, New Murabba Stadium, Jeddah Central Stadium, and NEOM Stadium.

The construction of stadiums and development of sports facilities continue alongside the implementation of major development, tourism, and urban projects across Saudi Arabia, as part of a comprehensive transformation that enhances the Kingdom's readiness to host international events and leaves sustainable facilities to serve future generations.