Diriyah to host AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 final draw
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 matches will be played across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar, with the final draw scheduled for April 11, 2026, in Diriyah
Football fans, save the date. Saturday April 11 is when the road to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 truly begins – and it’s happening somewhere spectacular.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in coordination with the local organising committee, has confirmed that the tournament’s final draw will take place in Diriyah’s historic Al-Turaif district.
We all know that Al-Turaif, a Unesco World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the Saudi state, is not going to be your typical ballroom backdrop.
Its labyrinth of mud-brick palaces and alleyways isn’t just visually captivating; it’s layered with history, atmosphere, and a sense of occasion that feels tailor-made for a ceremony of this scale. If football is theatre, this is the grandest stage imaginable.
When is the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027?
If you haven’t heard, Saudi Arabia will host the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup from Thursday January 7 to Friday February 5, 2027. This marks the first time the Kingdom is hosting the tournament.
Fans can expect world-class football, electric stadium atmospheres, and a fan experience designed to rival the continent’s finest editions yet.
Matches will be played across eight stadiums in three cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar.
In Riyadh, the spotlight will be on King Fahd Sports City Stadium, currently undergoing extensive upgrades, while Jeddah will host matches at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, also known as “The Shining Jewel”, which hosted the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Final.
In Al Khobar, the newly constructed stadium will be the centrepiece of the Eastern Region.
In addition to these main venues, Riyadh will also feature King Saud University Stadium, Al Shabab Stadium, and Kingdom Arena, along with the revamped Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium, which will see its seating capacity expanded to 21,000 and all facilities upgraded to meet AFC standards.
Jeddah will also host matches at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium, which previously hosted several matches during the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
But before the first whistle blows, Diriyah gets the spotlight.
With the final draw scheduled for Saturday April 11, 2026, in Diriyah, this will mark the official launch of the tournament, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to delivering a complete sporting experience and strengthening its presence on the global sports stage.
Currently, 18 Asian teams have snatched the ticket to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2027, namely: Saudi Arabia (host country), Australia, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Iran, Qatar, the Emirates, Japan, South Korea, Oman, Palestine, Jordan, Bahrain, China, Indonesia, North Korea, Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan, while six seats remain for which 24 teams are competing in the final stage of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Images: Socials / What’s On Archives / SPA
