Saudi Arabia is expected to allow alcohol sales in specific tourist areas by 2026, marking a major policy change as the country prepares for Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Reports indicate that around 600 licensed venues, including luxury hotels, resorts, and tourism hubs like NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Sindalah Island, will be permitted to serve alcohol exclusively to non-Muslim visitors.
This move signals the first major relaxation of the country’s alcohol ban in over 70 years. The drinks offered will be limited to wine, beer, and cider with an alcohol content no higher than 20%, while spirits and stronger liquors will still be prohibited.
As reported by Saudi Moments, consumption must be limited to the licensed premises. There will be no takeaway sales, retail availability, or public advertisements, and alcohol will remain banned in homes and public areas outside these zones.
Officials clarified that this step is part of Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s initiative to diversify the economy and transform Saudi Arabia into a key destination for global tourists and investors.
Strict regulations will be enforced, with trained staff running the licensed spots and penalties in place for any violations, such as selling to unapproved individuals or allowing alcohol to leave the premises.
Despite this change, alcohol will remain off-limits to Saudi citizens and Muslim residents, and religious cities like Mecca and Medina will continue to uphold a total ban.
Back in January 2024, Saudi Arabia opened its first alcohol shop in decades in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter.
That store serves only non-Muslim foreign diplomats who register through a government app, receive Foreign Ministry approval, and are subject to strict monthly limits. Security measures include sealed phones and in-person purchases only.
This pilot project was meant to better regulate alcohol access for diplomats and reduce underground sales, without altering the national alcohol ban for the general population.
The new licensing system is set to begin in 2026, aligning with the lead-up to Expo 2030 in Riyadh and well ahead of the World Cup.
Despite these steps, earlier in February, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, said alcohol would not be allowed during the World Cup.
“At the moment, we don’t allow alcohol,” Prince Khalid said in an interview with LBC. “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.”
When asked about availability in hotels like during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, he firmly 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.”