SportFor marketers
Jan 7 – Feb 5 · Saudi Arabia · King Fahd Sports City Stadium, Riyadh, and seven other stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar
AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
DevelopingUpdate: When we checked on 25 October, the AFC and the local organising committee were still preparing for 7 January to 5 February. The committee said on 15 October that preparations remain on schedule, but AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa told reporters on 14 October that a final decision can wait until the end of November and that the tournament could move back a year to 2028 if needed (AFP; The National).
Saudi Arabia hosts the AFC Asian Cup for the first time, with Asia's top 24 men's national teams playing from 7 January to 5 February 2027 at eight stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh stages the opening match and the final.
What to expect
- 19th edition and the first hosted by Saudi Arabia, with 24 national teams
- Eight stadiums, led by the 72,000-seat King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh and the new 45,000-seat stadium in Al Khobar
- Aramco is an Official Global Supporter, and the Al Khobar venue will be named Aramco Stadium, a first for the AFC
- KELME's KHUZAMA is the official match ball
Why it matters for marketers
Asia's biggest national-team tournament runs for a month across three Saudi cities, a major platform for sponsors, broadcasters and fan activations. Aramco's deal as Official Global Supporter names the Al Khobar venue Aramco Stadium, which the AFC calls a commercial first.
The Sunday Brief