The Municipalities and Housing and regional secretariats for the start of the 2026 World Cup competitions. The excitement wasn’t limited to the soccer field—it spread to cities across the Kingdom, which were transformed into vibrant fan zones, through the creation of public viewing areas and the launch of accompanying events, offering soccer fans an exceptional experience that combines cheering, entertainment, and quality of life—a scene reflecting the active community presence of Saudi cities and their engagement with the world’s largest sporting event.
Jacks Neighborhood Hosts Fans
In this context, the Diriyah Biennial Foundation announced the allocation of a fan zone in the Jax District of Diriyah, named the “Coca-Cola Fan Zone,” to welcome fans of the 2026 FIFA World Cup from June 10 to July 19.
The area can accommodate more than 1,000 fans per match, distributed across two viewing areas equipped with cinema-quality LED screens, along with an entertainment program running from 6:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. on match days. Visitors will be able to watch all of the Saudi national team’s matches, as well as the most prominent matches featuring international, Arab, and Gulf teams, leading up to the final.
The area also features video games, an interactive room for soccer challenges, and spaces dedicated to families, as well as a variety of activities aimed at soccer fans and corporate guests. The Jax District is preparing to open the zone on June 11, coinciding with the start of the tournament. The opening night will feature a live broadcast of the official opening ceremony, along with entertainment events featuring creative talent from the Kingdom and international soccer stars.
The fan zone features two indoor exhibition halls equipped with a full sound system and dynamic lighting, as well as an interactive space inspired by fan culture around the world, a souvenir shop, face-painting stations, and a variety of food and beverage options.
Setting Up Several Locations in Al-Ula
In Al-Ula Governorate, several open-air locations have been set up for residents and visitors to watch World Cup matches amid the natural landmarks and rock formations for which the governorate is famous. These sites allow fans to watch the Saudi national team’s matches and the most prominent international, Arab, and Gulf matches in an atmosphere that combines sports and nature.
Furthermore, the tournament’s timing during the summer season enhances Al-Ula’s appeal as a tourist destination, as visitors can combine watching the matches with exploring heritage and natural sites and enjoying a variety of cultural and recreational activities, in addition to taking advantage of accommodation options that include luxury resorts, desert lodges, and heritage hotels.
King Salman Park in the Eastern Province Welcomes Fans
In the Eastern Province, the Eastern Province Municipality has prepared King Salman Park in Al-Lahaba to welcome World Cup fans as part of an integrated fan zone in one of the region’s largest parks, covering an area of over 650,000 square meters.
The area features giant screens and designated viewing areas for watching the matches, along with a variety of entertainment events and activities aimed at the whole family. The municipality emphasized that the initiative is intended to support the Saudi national team and enhance quality of life, with a number of local businesses expected to participate by showcasing and marketing their products throughout the tournament, thereby contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.
Match Viewing Locations in Al-Baha
For its part, the Al-Baha Regional Municipality and its affiliated municipalities have completed their preparations to implement the World Cup viewing locations initiative as part of the Al-Baha Summer Season events, by setting up public viewing areas in gardens, parks, and public squares across the region’s various governorates.
The Secretariat has mobilized its resources to equip the venues with the necessary services and has also formed partnerships with cafes, shopping centers, and the private sector to expand the scope of viewing venues, enhance community participation, and support economic and tourism activity.
It explained that the initiative targets 327 viewing sites spread across the city of Al-Baha and the region’s governorates, including 96 sites in parks, recreational areas, and public squares, 218 cafes, and 13 shopping centers, with the participation of the Regional Municipality and 12 municipalities.
Experience the World Cup in Jeddah
In Jeddah, the “Abadi Al-Jawhar Arena” is preparing to host the “Live the World Cup” event during the 2026 World Cup, offering a comprehensive fan experience for soccer enthusiasts.
The event features nine specialized zones, including a fan zone, an e-sports zone, and a zone for competitions and tournaments, as well as zones for interactive experiences, photography, entertainment shows, shops, and food and beverages, in addition to a dedicated area for sponsors, offering visitors a comprehensive experience that combines watching the matches, entertainment, and immersion in the atmosphere of the global tournament.
