Quick Answer
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 takes place in Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February 2027, with 24 teams and 51 matches in eight stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Hosts Saudi Arabia play Palestine in the opening match. For the trip, check your visa early (many nationalities can get a Saudi eVisa online), buy tickets only through the official AFC channels, and set up your phone at home: a Saudi eSIM for data (tickets, maps, Uber or Careem, match updates) and your home line kept on for bank codes. WhatsApp calls are allowed in Saudi Arabia and work on a travel eSIM.
The AFC Asian Cup is Asia's biggest national-team tournament, and in January 2027 it comes to Saudi Arabia for the first time. Fans from Japan, Korea, Australia, the Gulf, Central Asia and Southeast Asia will travel to Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, many of them visiting the Kingdom for the first time. This guide covers the dates and cities, entry and tickets, getting around, and how to stay connected without roaming bills.
Before you book
Check your government's latest travel advice for Saudi Arabia before you travel, for example the UK Foreign Office or the US State Department. Advice can change at short notice and can differ by region.
Key facts
- Dates: 7 January to 5 February 2027.
- Teams and matches: 24 national teams, 51 matches.
- Host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, with eight stadiums in total.
- Opening match: Saudi Arabia vs Palestine.
- Tickets: sold through the official AFC ticketing channels since May 2026. Avoid resale sites that are not authorised.
- Mobile networks in Saudi Arabia: STC, Mobily and Zain, with strong 4G and 5G in all three host cities.
- WhatsApp voice and video calls are allowed in Saudi Arabia (restrictions on internet calling apps were lifted in 2017).
- Emergency number: 911 in Saudi Arabia.
Host cities and stadiums
| City | Known venues | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Riyadh | King Fahd Sports City Stadium (about 72,000 seats), Kingdom Arena, King Saud University Stadium, Imam Mohammed Bin Saud University Stadium, Al Shabab Stadium | The capital hosts the most matches. Big distances: plan rides and leave early for kick-off. |
| Jeddah | Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium and other venues | Red Sea city and gateway to Makkah, with a busy airport. |
| Al Khobar | Venue in the Eastern Province | Close to Dammam and the Bahrain causeway. |
The full venue list and the match schedule are published by the AFC. Check the official schedule before you book flights between cities, because kick-off times and venues are confirmed match by match.
Visas and entry
- Many nationalities can apply for a Saudi tourist eVisa online through the official Visit Saudi portal. The tourist visa is a one-year, multiple-entry visa that allows stays of up to 90 days.
- There is no separate "fan visa" announced so far. Entry depends on your passport, so check the official Visit Saudi website for your nationality well before January.
- Umrah is allowed on a tourist visa outside the Hajj season, so many fans combine matches in Jeddah with a visit to Makkah. See our Umrah eSIM guide.
Getting around between matches
- Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem are the easiest way to reach stadiums. You need mobile data to book and track the car.
- Riyadh Metro connects many parts of the capital. Check the route to your stadium in a maps app before match day.
- Between cities, there are frequent domestic flights between Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province, and trains connect Riyadh with Dammam.
- January evenings can be cool, especially in Riyadh, so bring a light jacket for night matches.
Staying connected during the Asian Cup
Your phone is your ticket, your map and your taxi on match days. Digital tickets, stadium entry, rides and meeting friends all need mobile data, and networks get busy around stadiums before and after a match.
What helps:
- Install a Saudi Arabia eSIM at home on Wi-Fi before you fly. Your plan starts when the eSIM first connects in Saudi Arabia, so installing early costs you nothing.
- Download your tickets to your phone's wallet before you leave the hotel, in case the network is slow at the gate.
- Share your live location with your group in WhatsApp or Google Maps, and agree a meeting point outside the stadium.
- Send messages and voice notes when the network is crowded. They get through when calls drop.
- Keep your home line on for SMS codes from your bank and airline, with data roaming switched off on it. See how OTP codes work with a travel eSIM.
- Calling home: WhatsApp and FaceTime calls work in Saudi Arabia. Read our Saudi calling guide.
If your trip also includes the UAE, Bahrain or Qatar, a Gulf or Middle East regional plan can cover several countries with one eSIM. Note that in the UAE, WhatsApp calls are blocked on local networks; see why WhatsApp calls fail in Dubai.
How much data do you need?
Heading to Saudi Arabia?
Get a Saudi Arabia eSIM in minutes — instant QR by email, no roaming charges, with a discount applied automatically at checkout.
| How you use your phone | Data per day | 10 days | 3 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light: tickets, maps, rides, messages | 300–500 MB | 3–5 GB | 7–10 GB |
| Normal: plus social media, photos and match highlights | 1–1.5 GB | 10–15 GB | 20–30 GB |
| Heavy: video calls home, live streams, uploading videos | 2–3 GB or more | 20–30 GB | Unlimited |
Many of our Saudi unlimited plans give 1 GB a day at full speed, then a slower speed until the next day, which is enough for maps, messaging and social media. Our data calculator helps you estimate your own use.
Set up your phone before you fly
- Check that your phone supports eSIM on our compatibility page.
- Choose a Saudi Arabia eSIM with enough data for the number of days you are staying.
- Install it at home on Wi-Fi from the QR code in your email, and keep the eSIM line switched off until you land.
- Download your match tickets, offline maps of Riyadh, Jeddah or Al Khobar, and Uber or Careem.
- When you land, switch on the eSIM, select it for mobile data with data roaming on, and turn off data roaming on your home line.
- Save 911 and your hotel's address in your phone, and share your live location with your group on match days.
Frequently asked questions
When is the AFC Asian Cup 2027?
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 runs from 7 January to 5 February 2027 in Saudi Arabia.
Which cities host the Asian Cup 2027?
Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar host the matches, in eight stadiums. Riyadh has the most venues, including King Fahd Sports City Stadium.
Do I need a visa to watch the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia?
Most visitors need a visa. Many nationalities can apply for a Saudi tourist eVisa online through the official Visit Saudi portal. No special fan visa has been announced, so check the rules for your passport early.
Do WhatsApp calls work in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. WhatsApp voice and video calls are allowed in Saudi Arabia and work on a travel eSIM, with no VPN needed.
Which mobile network is best in Saudi Arabia?
STC, Mobily and Zain all have strong 4G and 5G in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. A travel eSIM connects to one of these networks, depending on the plan.
How much data do I need for two weeks at the Asian Cup?
About 5–7 GB for tickets, maps and messages, or 15–20 GB if you also post photos and watch highlights. For video calls and streaming every day, choose an unlimited plan.
Can I do Umrah during the Asian Cup trip?
Yes. Umrah is allowed on a Saudi tourist visa outside the Hajj season, and Jeddah is the gateway to Makkah. Book your Umrah permit in the official Nusuk app.
The bottom line
The Asian Cup 2027 is a great reason to discover Saudi Arabia: 7 January to 5 February 2027, in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Sort your visa and tickets early, plan rides around kick-off times, and set up your phone at home with a travel eSIM for data and your home line for codes. Find plans for Saudi Arabia, and read our guide to the best places to visit in Saudi Arabia for the days between matches.
Sources
Checked on 7 November 2026:
- AFC: tickets for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027
- AFC: match schedule (PDF)
- WAM: AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 dates and venues announced
- Qatar News Agency: AFC unveils Asian Cup 2027 schedule
- Visit Saudi: official tourism and eVisa portal
What is the best eSIM for Saudi Arabia?
The best eSIM for Saudi Arabia is the plan that fits how much data you use and runs on a strong local network. For a typical trip, 5 GB for 30 days costs $11.00. If you stream, work online or share a hotspot, Unlimited costs $27.99 for 15 days. TripoSIM plans for Saudi Arabia start at $2.50, run on Zain, Mobily, STC, and the days only start counting when the eSIM first connects in Saudi Arabia, so you can install it before you fly.
| Your trip | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| About a week of light use (maps, messages) | 1 GB for 7 days | $2.50 |
| 1–2 weeks of everyday use | 5 GB for 30 days | $11.00 |
| Heavy use, video calls or a long stay | 19.5 GB for 30 days | $31.00 |
| Streaming, hotspot or remote work | Unlimited for 15 days (1000 MB a day at full speed, then slower) | $27.99 |
Live prices in US dollars, checked November 7, 2026. 19 plans for Saudi Arabia are available. See all Saudi Arabia plans →
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