AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia: The Complete Fan Guide to Dates, Stadiums, Tickets and Visas
Updated September 2026
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 runs from January 7 to February 5, 2027, in Saudi Arabia, the first time the kingdom hosts Asia's biggest national-team football tournament.
Here is everything a traveling fan needs: the dates and schedule, the host cities and stadiums, what we know about tickets, Saudi Arabia's visa rules by nationality, how to get there and around, and how to stay online without a roaming bill.
The short version
- The AFC Asian Cup 2027 runs from January 7 to February 5, 2027. The hosts open against Palestine at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh, and the final is on February 5.
- Matches are played in three host cities: Riyadh with five stadiums, Jeddah with two, and Al Khobar with the new 45,000-seat Aramco Stadium.
- Tickets are not on sale yet and no prices have been announced. When sales open, buy only through official AFC channels, and expect the opener and the final to sell out first.
- Saudi Arabia sits far outside the EU roaming zone, so roaming gets expensive fast. A travel eSIM you install before landing keeps you online from the moment you clear passport control.
What is the AFC Asian Cup 2027
The AFC Asian Cup is Asia's biggest national-team football tournament, held every four years. The 2027 edition runs from January 7 to February 5, 2027, and Saudi Arabia hosts it for the first time.
24 teams take part, split into six groups of four. The top two in each group advance together with the four best third-placed teams, so the knockout bracket starts at the round of 16.
Qatar arrives as defending champion after winning in 2019 and 2023, and the hosts, three-time winners, count among the favorites with home crowds behind them. Iran extends an appearance streak running since 1968, while Singapore qualified on merit for the first time.
Dates and match schedule
The tournament opens on January 7, 2027, with Saudi Arabia against Palestine at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh. The group stage fills the first two weeks, then the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals lead to the final on February 5, 2027.
As of September 2026, the AFC has not published the full day-by-day match calendar with kickoff times. We will update this section as soon as the complete schedule and the group-stage draw are out.
January is the mildest time of year in Saudi Arabia, with daytime temperatures around 20 degrees in Riyadh and warmer weather in Jeddah. Desert evenings get cool, so pack a layer for night matches.
Host cities and stadiums
Eight stadiums across three cities stage the tournament. Riyadh carries most of the load, Jeddah adds two big venues on the Red Sea, and Al Khobar brings a brand-new arena on the Gulf coast.
Riyadh: the main hub
The capital stages matches in five stadiums, led by the 72,000-seat King Fahd Sports City Stadium, home of the opening match. King Saud University Stadium, Kingdom Arena, Imam Mohammed University Stadium and Al-Shabab Stadium complete the list.
Jeddah: the Red Sea side
Jeddah brings two venues: the 60,000-seat King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium. Between matches the city offers the seafront corniche and the old town of Al-Balad.
Al Khobar: the Gulf coast
Al Khobar in the Eastern Province hosts games at the new 45,000-seat Aramco Stadium. The city sits on the Gulf shore, served by King Fahd International Airport in nearby Dammam and close to the Bahrain causeway.
Tickets: what we know
As of September 2026, tickets are not on sale and no prices have been announced. Sales will run through official AFC channels, and we will update this section with prices and on-sale dates as soon as they are confirmed.
Expect the pattern of recent Asian Cups: single-match tickets in several price tiers, sold online in phases, with the opening match, the hosts' games and the final going first.
Resale sites and lookalike pages appear around every big tournament. Buy through the AFC's official ticketing platform once it goes live, and verify the address before you pay.
Do you need a visa? Entry by nationality
Saudi Arabia has opened up fast for tourism, and most visiting fans can enter on a tourist eVisa bought online in minutes. The rules differ by passport, so check your own before booking.
| Nationality | Entry rule for a 2027 visit |
|---|---|
 Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE (GCC citizens) | No visa, enter with a national ID card |
 EU/EEA, UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, Russia and more | Tourist eVisa online, multiple entry, stays up to 90 days |
 Any nationality holding a used US, UK or Schengen visa | eVisa on arrival when flying with Saudi-based airlines |
 India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and most African nationals (unless covered above) | Embassy visa required, apply well in advance |
The tourist eVisa is issued at visa.visitsaudi.com, costs about 440 SAR including basic health insurance, and usually comes back within minutes to a couple of days. A tournament-specific fan entry scheme has not been announced; if one appears for ticket holders, we will add it here.
Alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia, for tourists too, and no exception has been announced for the tournament. Dress modestly in public and keep displays of affection private. Women can visit, drive and attend matches without a male companion.
Getting there and around
All three host cities have international airports: King Khalid in Riyadh (RUH), King Abdulaziz in Jeddah (JED) and King Fahd in Dammam (DMM) for Al Khobar. Riyadh and Jeddah are major hubs with direct flights from Europe, Asia and Africa.
Flying in and between cities
Riyadh to Jeddah is about a two-hour flight, and Saudia, flynas and flyadeal run frequent domestic departures. Book early around match days, because fans will fill the popular slots.
Train to the Gulf coast
Saudi Arabia Railways runs trains from Riyadh to Dammam, next to Al Khobar, in about four hours, a comfortable alternative to flying for matches at Aramco Stadium.
Metro and ride-hailing
Riyadh's new metro covers the capital with six lines, and Uber and Careem work well in all three host cities. Distances are big and walking between districts rarely works, so plan on riding.
Staying online: roaming and eSIM
Saudi Arabia is far outside the EU roaming zone, and roaming there on a European, UK or Asian plan gets expensive quickly. Do not assume your home plan covers the kingdom cheaply, because most do not.
The local operators are stc, Mobily and Zain, with excellent 4G and wide 5G in the cities. A local SIM works, but buying one means airport queues and passport registration at the counter.
A travel eSIM you install before you fly is the easy way: you land in Riyadh or Jeddah already connected, with data for maps, tickets, scores and ride-hailing from the first minute, and no roaming bill. Stadium crowds load the networks on match days, so having your own mobile data beats hunting for Wi-Fi.
Frequently asked questions
When is the AFC Asian Cup 2027?
From January 7 to February 5, 2027. The hosts open against Palestine on January 7 at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh, and the final is on February 5.
Where is the Asian Cup 2027 played?
In three Saudi cities: Riyadh with five stadiums, Jeddah with two, and Al Khobar with the new Aramco Stadium. The biggest venue is the 72,000-seat King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh.
How many teams play at the Asian Cup 2027?
24 teams, split into six groups of four. The top two from each group plus the four best third-placed teams go through to the round of 16. Qatar defends the title it won in 2019 and 2023.
Are Asian Cup 2027 tickets on sale?
Not yet. As of September 2026, no on-sale date or prices have been announced. Sales will run through official AFC channels, so skip resale sites and check back closer to the tournament.
Do I need a visa for Saudi Arabia?
Most fans can buy a tourist eVisa online at visa.visitsaudi.com, including citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, China and Russia. GCC citizens enter with an ID card. Other nationals need an embassy visa, so apply early.
What is the weather like in Saudi Arabia in January?
January is the mildest month of the year. Expect around 20 degrees by day in Riyadh, warmer in Jeddah, and cool desert evenings, so bring a layer for night matches.
Can fans drink alcohol during the Asian Cup 2027?
No. Alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia, for tourists too, and no exception has been announced for the tournament. Plan for alcohol-free match days.
Will my phone work in Saudi Arabia?
The networks are excellent, with wide 5G in the host cities, but roaming on a European or Asian plan adds up fast. A travel eSIM installed before you fly keeps you online without a roaming bill.
Going to the Asian Cup 2027? Stay connected with eSIMPal
A month of matches across three cities means maps, tickets, scores and ride-hailing on your phone every day. Install an eSIMPal eSIM before you fly and land in Saudi Arabia with data, with no roaming bills and no airport SIM queue.
Last updated September 2026. Based on official AFC announcements for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and Saudi Arabia's official visa portal (visa.visitsaudi.com). The match schedule, tickets and entry rules can change, so confirm the latest details with an official source before you travel.
