JEDDAH: The FIFA World Cup kicked off late last night and fans across the Kingdom gathered to celebrate at local cafes that have prepped for the event weeks in advance to welcome football enthusiasts.
With the tournament being held in the US, Mexico and Canada, most games will start late at night or in the early hours of the day in Saudi Arabia given the time 7.5 hour time difference.
However, cafes are still optimistic that they will pull fans in for live screenings and a lively atmosphere, and that they will witness an increase in revenues.
Large high-definition screens have replaced old ones, while sound systems have been upgraded to ensure every cheer, whistle and goal can be heard clearly. Walls and tables have been decorated with the flags of participating nations.
Mayas Alsaygh, who runs Hoot Coffee House in Al-Zahra district with his two brothers, spoke to Arab News about their cafe’s preparations.
Local cafes in Saudi Arabia are decorated with national flags and football-themed buntings as fans gather to watch World Cup matches. (Supplied)
“Today, we are proud to host big events to celebrate the World Cup. At Hoot, we don’t just show matches, we offer a complete experience that combines the atmosphere of football, distinctive coffee and moments worth sharing,” Alsaygh said.
“With extended hours and late live match screenings, we aim to host interactive quizzes and competitions between matches and during halftime, with numerous prizes and gifts for attendees. There will also be competitions to predict match results and winners, adding even more excitement and enjoyment to the viewing experience,” he said.
Abdulhadi Al-Ahmadi, manager of Cloud cafe in Madinah, said: “We are all set to welcome our guests to the live football experience with big-screen TV, refreshments, and the matches that would run into midnights.”
HIGHLIGHT
The ‘Experience the 2026 World Cup’ event, organized by Saudi event company, Benchmark, began Thursday night in Jeddah.
“We knew the World Cup would bring huge crowds,” he said. “We wanted our customers to enjoy our specialty coffees while watching the games.”
For cafes in other regions of Saudi Arabia, the World Cup is more than a sporting event, it is an opportunity to showcase hospitality, creativity and community spirit.
The municipalities of each region in the Kingdom have also prepared locations in cities and all governorates to broadcast World Cup matches as part of efforts to provide a suitable environment that enables residents and visitors to watch the matches and enjoy the sporting atmosphere.
In a bid to attract supporters and customers, some establishments and cafes have introduced promotions and special offers on menus, while others have created areas for games and interactive challenges.
Local cafes in Saudi Arabia are decorated with national flags and football-themed buntings as fans gather to watch World Cup matches. (Supplied)
The “Experience the 2026 World Cup” event, organized by Saudi event company, Benchmark, began on Thursday in Jeddah.
A giant screen broadcasts the tournament matches live, creating an enthusiastic fan atmosphere that provides visitors with an exceptional experience of following the world’s biggest football event.
The event also includes an interactive games and challenges area, along with a variety of restaurants, cafes and other activities, offering a complete experience for families, young people and football fans of all ages.
Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the tournament atmosphere in an environment that combines sports and entertainment.
The event will run until the end of the World Cup, welcoming visitors daily from 4:00 p.m to 1:00 a.m at the Benchmark Jeddah theater.
