Saudi Arabia to Allow Alcohol at 600 Tourist Spots by 2026 — A Major Shift Ahead of the World Cup
In a move that’s making headlines around the world, Saudi Arabia is preparing to allow alcohol sales at around 600 designated tourist venues starting in 2026.” Indeed, you are correct; the kingdom known for its strict alcohol prohibition is moving boldly to open, particularly in front of Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034.
This marks the first time alcohol will be legally accessible in more than seventy years, but only under very limited circumstances.
So, What’s Changing?
Non-Muslim visitors may shortly be able to sip a drink in some approved licensed places, according to Saudi officials. We are discussing luxury five-star hotels, high-end resorts, and special areas inside massive tourism initiatives, including NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and the futuristic Sindalah Island.
Not expected, though, are wild beach parties or bar crawls. Only up to 20% alcohol content, the beverages authorized will include wine, beer, and cider. Spirits akin to vodka and whisky? still a no-go.
No Takeout Booze — Drink It There or Nowhere
There is a catch: any drinking has to be on-site. You can’t take a bottle of wine back to your hotel room, and there won’t be any stores or corner shops selling alcohol to the general public. Also, you won’t see beer commercials or neon bar signs lighting up the streets anytime soon. Public alcohol advertising? Still under ban.
The government essentially wants to maintain alcohol availability strictly regulated and limited, just enough to welcome guests but not enough to alter the nation’s conservative reputation.
Vision 2030: Another Saudi Arabia?
It’s part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030 — a long-term plan to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil.
Tourism is one of the kingdom’s big bets, and opening up to international travelers means adapting to global hospitality norms. But it’s all being done on Saudi Arabia’s terms. Officials are making it clear: this isn’t about changing the culture — it’s about carefully managing how it evolves.
License sites will be under close observation. Staff members will require appropriate training, and violating rules, such as allowing drinks to walk out the door, could quickly close a business.
No Booze for Muslims or Citizens – Staying the Same
The alcohol restriction for Muslims and Saudi nationals is here to stay. You also won’t find a drop of alcohol in Mecca or Medina, the two holy cities. That’s completely off-limits, and the government isn’t budging on that front.
In short, this isn’t a free-for-all. It’s a carefully calculated step forward — one that tries to bridge the gap between tradition and transformation.
The First Alcohol Shop Opened in 2024 (But There’s a Twist)
Saudi Arabia quietly opened its first alcohol store decades ago in January 2024—but not for tourists. It is situated in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, strictly for non-Muslim foreign diplomats.
To shop there, you have to jump through a few hoops: register through a government app, get clearance from the Foreign Ministry, follow monthly quotas, and seal your phone at the door (yes, really — no photos inside). It’s strict, but it was the kingdom’s first step in testing the waters before this broader rollout.
World Cup 2034 — Will Booze Still Exist? Not So Quick.
You would think that the World Cup scheduled for Saudi Arabia in 2034 marks party time with open bars. Not very quickly, though. Saudi Ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, made it rather clear in February: alcohol will not be served during the competition. Not even in hotels.
“At the moment, we don’t allow alcohol,” he told LBC radio. “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.”
When asked if fans could sip a drink at their hotel, like in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, he was blunt: “No, there is no alcohol at all. Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.”
And he wrapped it up with a strong statement about values: “Everyone has their own culture. Although we would be pleased to welcome those from outside our culture, we do not wish to alter our own for someone else.
A Careful Rollout Starting 2026
The alcohol licensing program is expected to officially launch in 2026. That gives the government a few years to build out infrastructure, train personnel, and set up monitoring systems before welcoming a wave of tourists for Expo 2030 and the World Cup four years later.
It’s a big step for Saudi Arabia — one that’s stirring debate, curiosity, and plenty of global attention. But one thing’s for sure: the kingdom is opening up like never before, even if it’s doing so cautiously, on its terms.
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