SAUDI Arabia will lift its long-standing booze ban at 600 tourist sites by 2026 — in a boozy bid to attract visitors ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup and 2030 Expo.
In a shock U-turn, the ultra-conservative Kingdom will allow the sale of wine, beer, and cider at licensed locations including five-star hotels, luxury resorts, and expat-friendly compounds.
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Booze will still be banned in public, homes, shops, and fan zones — with spirits off the menu altogether under strict new rules.
The dramatic policy shift is part of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman’s Vision 2030 drive to boost international tourism, lure foreign cash and shake off its teetotal image.
Officials hope controlled alcohol sales in glitzy areas like Neom, Sindalah Island and the Red Sea Project will help the country compete with Gulf rivals like the UAE and Bahrain — where boozing is already legal in tourist zones.
Licensed venues will operate under a tightly regulated system, with trained staff and strict rules to prevent abuse and uphold the Kingdom’s Islamic values.
The goal, authorities said, “is to welcome the world without losing cultural identity — positioning Saudi Arabia as a progressive, yet respectful player on the global tourism map.”
The plan is set to roll out in 2026 — eight years before the World Cup kicks off — and comes amid growing pressure to modernise the Kingdom’s image.
Several global hotel chains are already rejigging their blueprints to accommodate booze zones, with tourism bosses eyeing a flood of new jobs and international investment.
It follows a dry storm earlier this year when Saudi’s ambassador to the UK announced alcohol will be banned entirely at the 2034 World Cup, sparking fury among England fans.
Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud told LBC radio in February: “There is no alcohol at all, rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.
“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.
“It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event and, to a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come.”
Fan Tim Bailey fumed on X: “Their country, their rules. But why the f*** would anyone want to go there anyway?”
One supporter added: “Weird . . . they always want everyone else to change their culture for them.”
But now, Saudi insiders hope the new booze policy will silence critics and show the country is ready to party — with limits.
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Sources say the model is inspired by successful alcohol rollouts in Dubai and Manama, where tight control has boosted tourism and business without trashing tradition.
The Kingdom insists this will not be a free-for-all — and anyone caught misusing the system will face swift consequences.
“Sales will only happen under controlled environments, with licensed service staff and clear operational rules in place to make sure alcohol is handled responsibly and respectfully,” a government statement read.
Spirits and hard liquor above 20% ABV will remain banned, with no sign of shops, takeaways or home brewing being permitted.
Why is alcohol banned in Saudi Arabia?
ALCOHOL is banned in Saudi Arabia because the country’s legal system is based on Islamic law, or Sharia, which strictly prohibits the consumption, sale, and possession of alcohol.
This ban stems from Islam’s teachings, particularly the Qur’an, which considers intoxicants to be haram, or forbidden.
Verses in the Qur’an warn against the use of alcohol, culminating in a clear directive for believers to avoid it altogether.
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism, which enforces these religious prohibitions through law.
As a result, producing, importing, or drinking alcohol is illegal and punishable by harsh penalties, including fines, imprisonment, deportation for foreigners, and formerly, public flogging.
The ban is also deeply rooted in the country’s conservative social norms, where alcohol is associated with immoral behavior and societal disruption.
The ruling Saudi royal family also relies on support from the religious establishment, and maintaining the alcohol ban reinforces their political legitimacy and alignment with Islamic values.
While recent reforms under the Vision 2030 initiative are pushing for modernization, including a controlled rollout of alcohol sales in tourist areas from 2026, the core prohibition remains firmly in place to preserve cultural and religious identity.
