Saudi Arabia To Lift Alcohol Ban For Some Tourist Areas From 2026?

Yesterday, there were quite a few media reports alleging that Saudi Arabia is planning to allow the consumption of alcohol in some limited capacity starting sometime in 2026. While this has received widespread coverage, mainly because KSA is the host nation for the 2034 FIFA […]

May 27, 2025 - 13:15

Yesterday, there were quite a few media reports alleging that Saudi Arabia is planning to allow the consumption of alcohol in some limited capacity starting sometime in 2026.

While this has received widespread coverage, mainly because KSA is the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, officials have now denied that this reporting is accurate and that alcohol would remain banned in the country.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the few very conservative countries in the Middle East when it comes to Islamic customs and is known to be completely “dry,” meaning alcohol is not available anywhere, including hotels, for both expats and locals.

With a change in leadership under the new crown prince, there have been many revisions of the laws over the past few years, making the country more modern and welcoming to tourists, including their successful bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Just like last time in Qatar, fans wouldn’t have any access to alcohol in stadiums despite Budweiser being traditionally one of the largest sponsors of the World Cup (obviously, the Saudis can easily replace that money).

But contrary to the Qatar situation, where visitors can drink alcohol in hotel settings, KSR so far doesn’t allow this at all and this has been somewhat of a hot potato with many critics. I don’t know why it’s so important to drink alcohol during a one week trip in a super hot country but I guess one can always find something…

Either way, following initial reports that the alcohol ban would be gradually lifted in a range of hotels and tourist sites starting sometime next year, an official has now said this reporting was inaccurate.

Citing the official, Reuters reports that there are no changes proposed that would change the status of alcohol laws in the Kingdom.

A Saudi official denied on Monday media reports saying the kingdom, the birthplace of Islam, would lift its 73-year-old ban on alcohol, which is prohibited for Muslims.
The report, which was picked up by some international media after it appeared on a wine blog last week, said Saudi authorities planned to allow alcohol sales in tourist settings as the country prepares to host the 2034 soccer World Cup. It did not give a source for the information.
While alcoholic drinks are still off limits, both Saudis and foreigners can take part in activities that were once unthinkable in the Gulf country – from dancing at desert raves to watching models at fashion shows or going to the cinema.
The report about alcohol rules sparked a vigorous online debate in the kingdom, whose king also holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – Islam’s most revered places in Mecca and Medina. …
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are the only Gulf countries that prohibit the sale of alcohol.
A minor move to allow alcoholic drinks to be consumed in the kingdom was the opening of the first alcohol store in the capital, Riyadh, last year serving exclusively non-Muslim diplomats.
Prior to that, alcohol was available only through diplomatic mail or on the black market. …

I don’t quite understand this hell-bound focus on alcohol when it comes to considering countries for tourism purposes.

Yes, maybe if you’re offered to move and work there for an extended period of time and you can obtain ANY alcohol even for purposes of cooking or a glass of wine with the meal that could be an inconvenience and might cause someone say no thanks but as a short term visitor?

Either way, policy in KSR is basically decided by decree, and it’s up to the King and the Crown Prince to make these decisions, weighing all possible implications. Anything can happen at anytime in a country that doesn’t require long legislative processes so we’ll have a look how this develops.

I want to visit Riyadh sometime now that there are so many new tourist attractions and hotels available. Maybe sometime later this year when temperatures cool down again.

Conclusion

Reports from earlier this week that Saudi Arabia is preparing to lift its alcohol ban for tourists beginning of next year appear to have been inaccurate if you want to believe official sources from the Kingdom.

Reuters has obtained a statement in which officials deny that this would be taking place. Of course, this might change sometime, maybe with an easement of some sort similar to the diplomats’ supermarket, where eligible accredited diplomats can purchase alcohol. However, Embassies were always able to obtain it via their diplomatic mail shipments anyway, similar to Iran.

To say that Saudis like to party and drink regardless of the strict policies of their home country is an understatement. Especially at popular tourist destinations like Thailand or Europe (even Dubai), Saudis regularly have wild nights involving alcohol. But in the end, it’s their country, and whatever they think serves them best at home should go. Catering to tourists isn’t always the answer to everything, and IMHO, people should be able to last a week without drinking.

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