The Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jeddah have been chosen as host cities for the junior Asian Cup next year in Saudi Arabia.
The two cities will stage the tournament from 7 to 25 January 2026, with 16 teams competing for the U23 Asian Cup crown.
The 27,000-seat Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City in Jeddah will stage both the opening match and the final while the 62,000-seater King Abdullah Sports City on the other side of the city will organise the semifinals.
Riyadh’s Al-Shabab Club Stadium and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City will each host six group-stage matches.
Speaking on behalf of the Local Organising Committee, acting CEO Ms Mai Al-Helabi said, “Hosting this prestigious tournament is an important step toward the AFC Asian Cup 2027.
“We are committed to delivering an exceptional AFC U23 Asian Cup that reflects Saudi Arabia’s readiness and capability, which coes as a result of the unwavering support from our leadership and the direct supervision of His Royal Highness the Minister of Sport.
“This tournament continues Saudi Arabia’s trajectory of successfully hosting major international sporting events, further enhancing the Kingdom’s status both continentally and globally.”
Jeddah has previously staged the 2023 Club World Cup, the final phase of the 2024 AFC Champions League and the 2018 Italian Super Cup. This year, the Saudi capital will host the Italian Super Cup.
Next year, Saudi Arabia will also organise the U17 Asian Cup.
Those junior tournaments precede Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2027 Asian Cup, which will be the first time that the Arab Kingdom has hosted the continent’s flagship international tournament.
Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar, on the east coast, have been selected as host cities for the 2027 tournament.
Saudi Arabia is growing its portfolio of hosting sporting events ahead of the 2034 World Cup, which FIFA awarded to the country last year.
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