Latest news with #KhalidbinBandarAlSaud
News18
27-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Is Saudi Arabia Lifting 73-Year-Old Alcohol Ban Ahead Of 2034 World Cup? Here's What We Know
Last Updated: Saudi-based Arab News quoted informed sources who rubbished the claims, saying they lacked any official confirmation from relevant authorities Saudi Arabia officials have denied media reports claiming the kingdom plans to lift its 73-year ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol by 2026 in view of hosting the football World Cup tournament in 2034. The report appeared in several international media outlets last week, triggering controversy in the kingdom. However, Saudi-based Arab News quoted informed sources who rubbished the claims, saying they lacked any official confirmation from relevant authorities and 'do not reflect existing policies or regulations in Saudi Arabia". 'Under its ambitious vision to develop the tourism sector, Saudi Arabia remains committed to offering a unique and culturally immersive experience," a source told Arab News. Saudi Arabia has maintained an alcohol ban since 1952, prohibiting both citizens and foreign nationals from consuming alcoholic beverages. However, since January 2024, a shop in Riyadh has been granted permission to sell alcohol to non-Muslim diplomats under strict regulations. In February, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, confirmed that alcohol will not be permitted at the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The report of the ban being lifted, which came as Saudi Arabia is witnessing a series of reforms under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, triggered a controversy in the conservative country, which is the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques—Islam's most revered places in Mecca and Medina. (With agency inputs) First Published: May 27, 2025, 16:37 IST
Gulf Insider
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Denies Reports Of Lifting Ban On Alcohol
A Saudi official denied on Monday media reports saying the kingdom, the birthplace of Islam, would lift its 73-year-old ban on alcohol, which is prohibited for observant Muslims. The report, which was picked up by some international media after it appeared on a wine blog last week, said Saudi authorities planned to allow the controlled sale of alcohol as the country prepares to host the 2034 soccer World Cup. It did not give a source for the information. The report sparked a vigorous online debate in the conservative kingdom, whose king also holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – Islam's most revered places in Mekkah and Medinah. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is pushing a series of reforms to open up the country for tourism and business, as part of an effort to strengthen non-oil sectors of the economy. The government ended its prohibition on allowing women to drive in 2017, and has eased some rules on segregation in public spaces. A minor step towards allowing alcoholic drinks to be consumed in the kingdom was the opening of the first alcohol store in the capital, Riyadh, last year serving exclusively non-Muslim diplomats. Officials previously confirmed that the 2034 Fifa World Cup would be a sobering experience for soccer fans, with no alcohol available. And not just at the stadiums, but also at the hotels and elsewhere throughout the nation, the Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom confirmed. Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud said supporters travelling to the tournament will have to respect the customs of the host nation, where alcohol consumption is strictly forbidden. 'Everyone has their own culture,' he told the UK news site LBC. 'We're happy to accommodate people within the boundaries of our culture but we don't want to change our culture for someone else.' Alcohol availability was a talking point ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where fans were only allowed to buy booze in hotels and designated fan parks but not inside the stadiums.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
Saudi Arabia may ease alcohol ban ahead of 2034 World Cup but with strict rules
Saudi Arabia may lift its 70-year alcohol ban in 2026 ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup and Expo 2030. Reports suggest limited alcohol sales at select tourist spots will be allowed. However, there is still no official confirmation on this with government people denying any change in law. read more Saudi Arabia could be preparing for a major change ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. According to reports, the Kingdom is planning to allow alcohol sales for the first time in over 70 years. Reports suggest that Saudi Arabia may partially lift its alcohol ban in 2026 as the country gets ready to host global events including Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034. Saudi Arabia looking to revoke alcohol ban? According to The Economic Times, alcohol might be available in a very controlled way at specific locations, accessible only at high-end hotels, resorts, and other tourist spots. About 600 licensed places may reportedly get permission to serve drinks. But even if the ban is lifted, it won't be for everyone as local people will still be barred from drinking. Only lighter drinks like beer, wine, and cider would be allowed if the ban is revoked, suggested the report. Stronger alcohol like spirits and hard liquors will still be banned. Despite these reports, MailOnline on Monday reported that a Saudi government spokesperson has denied that the country has plans to relax its alcohol laws. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In fact, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, had earlier said that alcohol would still be banned during the 2034 World Cup as it is not part of their culture. This disappointed a lot of fans, especially from England and other European countries, where drinking and watching sports is a big part of their routine. More from Football 'Everyone has their own culture. We're happy to accommodate people within the boundaries of our culture but we don't want to change our culture for someone else. It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event and, to a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come,' he was quoted as saying by LBC Radio. However, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has already introduced reforms to modernise Saudi Arabia. Last year, the kingdom opened its first alcohol store in Riyadh but only for non-Muslim diplomats. Before that, alcohol was only available through diplomatic mail or the black market. This suggests that Saudi Arabia may go the Qatar way before the next World Cup. Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup, where it served alcohol despite being a Muslim country. Initially, reports had claimed that Qatar will not serve alcohol to fans travelling for the event but the government decided otherwise.
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Saudi Arabia to permit alcohol at tourist sites ahead of World Cup
Listen to article Saudi Arabia will permit alcohol sales at select tourist venues by 2026, in a significant policy shift aimed at boosting tourism ahead of Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034. The government has confirmed that around 600 licensed locations will be authorised to serve alcoholic beverages to non-Muslim visitors. These include five-star hotels, resorts, and designated zones within large-scale tourism projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Sindalah Island. This marks the first broad loosening of the kingdom's alcohol ban in over seven decades. Permitted drinks will be limited to wine, beer and cider, with a maximum alcohol content of 20%. Spirits and other high-alcohol beverages will remain banned. According to a report by Saudi Moments, all alcohol must be consumed on-site. Takeaway sales, retail distribution, and public advertising will remain prohibited. Alcohol will also remain unavailable in homes, shops, and public areas outside of the licensed zones. Officials said the changes are part of Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's wide-reaching plan to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues. The plan aims to position the country as a major destination for international tourism and investment. The rules will be enforced under tight controls. Licensed venues will be operated by trained staff and regulated by clear operational standards. Violations, including serving unauthorised individuals or offering takeaway alcohol, could lead to venue closures or legal action. The general ban on alcohol for Saudi citizens and Muslim residents will remain in place. Religious cities such as Mecca and Medina will continue to prohibit alcohol entirely. Saudi Arabia had already opened its first alcohol shop in decades in January 2024. Located in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, the store is open only to non-Muslim foreign diplomats. Access is limited to customers who register via a government app, receive foreign ministry clearance, and comply with monthly quotas. Mobile phones must be sealed upon entry, and purchases must be made in person. That pilot initiative was introduced to regulate diplomatic alcohol access and curb black market sales, without changing the broader prohibition affecting the general public. The alcohol licensing programme will begin rolling out in 2026, just four years before Saudi Arabia is due to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh and eight years before the World Cup. Earlier in Febuary, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United Kingdom said that alcohol will not be allowed at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. In an interview with LBC ( London Broadcasting Company), Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud stated that alcohol would not be sold anywhere during the tournament, including hotels. 'At the moment, we don't allow alcohol,' Prince Khalid said. 'Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol—it's not 100% necessary. If you want to drink after you leave, you're welcome to, but at the moment we don't have alcohol.' Asked whether fans would be able to drink in hotels, as was the case at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he replied: 'No, there is no alcohol at all. Rather like our weather, it's a dry country.' He added: 'Everyone has their own culture. We're happy to accommodate people within the boundaries of our culture, but we don't want to change our culture for someone else.'
Metro
25-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Saudi Arabia to make major change to alcohol rules ahead of World Cup
Saudi Arabia will reportedly lift its ban on alcohol at 600 sites this year as the country hopes to win over tourists and football fans before the 2034 World Cup. The ultra-conservative nation will end its 73-year ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol in tourist venues by 2026. Visitors will be allowed to drink wine, beer, and cider at licensed locations such as five-star hotels and tourist developments, local media claimed, in plans which were widely reported internationally. The plans form part of the Gulf State's Vision 2030, an initiative to attract tourists and investment in the lead up to hosting major international events, including Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034. Authorities said the goal 'is to welcome the world without losing cultural identity — positioning Saudi Arabia as a progressive, yet respectful player on the global tourism map.' Under the new alcohol regulations, certain venues will be allowed to serve beer, wine and cider. They will by operated by trained staff under tight licensing conditions. Drinks and liquor with more than 20% alcohol content will remain banned. As the new policy is directed at tourists and expats, alcohol in homes, public spaces, retail outlets will also still be outlawed. The government added in a statement: 'Sales will only happen under controlled environments, with licensed service staff and clear operational rules in place to make sure alcohol is handled responsibly and respectfully.' The permitted venues will be concentrated in the futuristic luxury developments being built as part of their tourism drive, such as Neom and the Red Sea Project. The country's leader Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is hoping the changes will allow Saudi Arabia to compete with other Gulf states that permit alcohol already. The UAE and Bahrain allow alcohol consumption in certain tourist zones. Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the UK had previously said alcohol would be banned when they host the World Cup in 2024. Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud told LBC that hotels, restaurants or stadiums will not be permitted to serve alcoholic beverages during the tournament. When asked if fans would be able to buy alcohol anywhere during the tournament, the prince replied: 'No, no. There is no alcohol at all. 'Rather like our weather, it is a dry country. At the moment we do not allow alcohol, but you know, plenty of fun can be had without alcohol.' This struck down suggestions that Saudi Arabia would follow in the footsteps of Qatar, another Muslim country, when they hosted the football tournament in 2022. Supporters there were able to buy alcohol from selected hotels, but not at the stadiums. International football events are a popular time for British football fans to drink alcohol. Pubgoers drank 364 million pints during the Euro 2020 tournament, with the final between England and Italy seeing 13 million sunk alone. More Trending However the new licensing laws permitting alcohol will roll out in 2026. This is just four years before they host the Expo 2030 in their capital Riyadh. The large international exhibition takes place every five years in different cities and showcases the national achievements while promoting global co-operation. Metro approached the Saudi Arabian government for comment. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: I tried 50 tinnies and found the best canned drink for summer MORE: Morrisons launches UK supermarket first with brand new £1.50 drinks 'on tap' MORE: The 'crowd pleasing' Irish beer set to take Guinness's stout crown
