September 18: Saudi Arabia will introduce permanent team base camps at next year’s AFC Asian Cup, ending the tournament’s traditional model of moving teams between hotels and training grounds from city to city.
The hosts have secured 31 training sites and 40 hotels across the country, allowing each of the 24 competing nations to stay on a fixed base for the duration of the month-long tournament.
It will be the first time the Asian Cup has used the model, bringing the competition closer to the set-up now used at the World Cup.
Mai Alhelabi, director general of the Saudi Arabia 2027 Local Organizing Committee, unveiled the plans at the World Football Summit in Madrid.
“We like to give each of our events a unique Saudi flavour: these extra services and an extra experience.
“For the teams, with the approval of the AFC, we are introducing team base camps for the first time in an Asian Cup. We will have 31 training venues and 40 hotels ready, giving all teams a much more comfortable environment to compete.”
The decision is also another useful test ahead of the 2034 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia will host the Asian Cup for the first time from January 7, 2027, with matches spread across Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Many of the wider event systems and venues being developed for the tournament will be the guinea pigs for 2034.
Alhelabi said: “The venues we are preparing for the Asian Cup are the same venues that will host the FIFA World Cup. Big events like the AFC Saudi Arabia 2027 Asian Cup are growing in importance in the sport, and for us each is built towards 2034.”
A new tournament app, Ahlan, is also being launched for supporters.
The platform will combine tickets, visa information, transportation details and other travel services, while offering a 24-hour AI assistant for fan inquiries.
Alhelabi said: “For fans, we have created Ahlan – a digital app that serves as a one-stop shop where fans can access their tickets, visas, transport information and anything else they need during their visit.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at (email protected)