Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Saudi women allowed to watch men's soccer for the first time

Reforms loosening restrictions on women in the country of Saudi Arabia have continued, with females now allowed to attend soccer matches alongside men.

Saudi families cheer at the King Abdullah Sports City known as 'a radiant jewel' to attend the Saudi Football League soccer match
Saudi families cheer at the King Abdullah Sports City known as 'a radiant jewel' to attend the Saudi Football League soccer match Source: AAP

Women have attended King Abdullah Stadium in Saudi Arabia to watch a men's soccer match for the first time.

As al-Ahli and al-Batin faced each other in the city of Jeddah, women showed up to their first public sporting event in the Kingdom to support the sides with their spouses, children and friends.

The General Sports Authority announced in October that stadiums in Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh will be set up to accommodate families starting in 2018.

"Honestly this decision should have happened a long time ago," said Muneera al-Ghamdi, who was in the crowd.

"But thank god that it came in the right time, and hopefully what's to come will be even more beautiful for women."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The decision to allow women to attend a mixed public sporting event is one of many changes the country has undergone in recent months, hailed as proof of a new progressive trend in the deeply conservative Muslim Kingdom.

On Thursday, Jeddah held Saudi Arabia's first car exhibition aimed at women, a few months after Saudi Arabia announced it would grant them the right to drive..

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32, has been hailed as the face of these changes.

Many young Saudis regard his recent ascent to power as proof their generation is taking a central place in running a country whose patriarchal traditions have for decades blocked women's progress.


2 min read

Published

Updated

By Fintan McDonnell



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world