As the world counts down to the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Saudi Arabia’s most captivating and ancient destination is ensuring that football enthusiasts don’t have to compromise on luxury or atmosphere, whilst in the midst of jaw-dropping heritage.

The AlUla Governate has officially unveiled a selection of spectacular, open-air fan zones that have been specially designed for broadcasting the FIFA World Cup. These open-air destinations will show the tournament’s most anticipated matches, seamlessly merging the high-octane energy of international football with the region's serene, ancient geology.

AlUla via unsplash christie-luke 4

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Set against AlUla’s iconic, wind-carved sandstone cliffs and monolithic rock formations, these meticulously designed viewing areas are tailored for both residents and discerning summer tourists. The initiative marks a sophisticated evolution in the region's entertainment calendar, proving that the ancient valley is as adept at hosting global modern spectacles as it is at preserving millennial heritage.

With the World Cup taking place during the summer months, AlUla is capitalising on its unique desert climate. While daytime temperatures encourage indoor relaxation or late-afternoon exploration, the evening hours bring a welcome drop in temperature, creating the perfect, breezy climate for open-air stadium viewing under the stars.

Daniel+Keppler Ultra Gobi Race Series AlUla via website 4

Photos courtesy of Experience Al Ula

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According to reports from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the fan zones will broadcast a comprehensive lineup of the tournament's pivotal fixtures. Audiences can expect dedicated, high-atmosphere screenings for all Saudi National Team matches, alongside prominent international, Arab, and Gulf fixtures. This seasonal timing allows travellers to curate a dual-layered itinerary, spending their days exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra before retreating to the fan zones as night falls to catch the world’s greatest footballers on massive, high-definition screens.

Fifa World Cup Football via unsplash sari-mohammed

Fifa World Cup via unsplash fauzan-saari

Rooting for the Green Falcons? Clear your schedule and set your alarms, brew the coffee and get your shirt on. Below are the official dates and kick-off times - all converted to Saudi Arabian Standard Time (SAST) - so you don’t miss a single moment of Saudi Arabia's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.

Saudi Arabia v. Senegal (Friendly): Wednesday June 10, 3am (SAST)
Saudi Arabia v. Uruguay: Tuesday June 16, 1am (SAST). This match is taking place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens
Saudi Arabia v. Spain: Sunday June 21, 7pm (SAST). This match is taking place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Saudi Arabia v. Cape Verde: Saturday June 27, 3am (SAST). This match is taking place at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas

FIFA World Cup 2026,
From June 11 – July 19, 2026
@fifaworldcup @experiencealula

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