Reliable press reports, citing sources for the Okaz newspaper, have revealed rapid developments regarding the venue for the next edition of the Saudi Super Cup . The Kuwaiti Ministry of Sports has expressed a serious and official desire to host the tournament in Kuwait, a move that has been met with a warm welcome and high-level coordination with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
Advanced negotiations and a resolution is imminent
According to sources, meetings and communications between the Saudi and Kuwaiti sides are ongoing and have not ceased; in fact, coordination has reached a very advanced stage. Final touches are currently being put in place, and the finer logistical and organizational details are being discussed before the official announcement of the agreement, which is expected within the next few days. This underscores the seriousness of both parties in finalizing this major sporting event.
History of the Saudi Super Cup outside the Kingdom
The idea of holding the Saudi Super Cup outside the Kingdom is not new; it's a successful marketing strategy the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has pursued for years. The tournament has already been held in London on three occasions (2015, 2016, and 2018) at Loftus Road and Craven Cottage stadiums, and the United Arab Emirates has hosted it previously. These initiatives aim to promote Saudi football globally and regionally, giving Saudi and Gulf expatriate communities the opportunity to follow their favorite clubs up close, which has achieved remarkable success in terms of both audience engagement and marketing in past editions.
Market value and public appeal of the event
Kuwait's potential hosting of the tournament is particularly significant at this time, given the tremendous surge in Saudi Arabian sports and the world-class signings made by Saudi clubs with superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema. This transformation has placed Saudi clubs in the global spotlight, and therefore, holding the Super Cup in Kuwait would guarantee a massive turnout due to the immense popularity of Saudi clubs (Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli) among Kuwaiti football fans, promising unparalleled success for the tournament.
Strengthening fraternal and economic ties
This step reflects the deep-rooted and historic fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait across all fields, including sports. Hosting this major event will enrich the region's sporting scene and enhance the Gulf's position as a leading destination for major sporting events. The event also carries economic and tourism dimensions, as it is expected to draw large numbers of Saudi and Gulf fans to Kuwait, thus boosting the tourism and services sectors during the tournament.
