Riyadh: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Asian Cup gets underway today in the Kingdom, running January 6 to 24 with 16 national teams from across Asia participating. The event highlights Saudi Arabia's prominent role in hosting continental and international tournaments while showcasing its ongoing commitment to developing Asian football.
According to Saudi Press Agency, in collaboration with the Local Organizing Committee, the AFC designated four main stadiums in Riyadh and Jeddah for the tournament matches. The venues meet the highest technical and organizational standards, reflecting the Kingdom's impressive sports infrastructure.
In Jeddah, the action will take place at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, which can accommodate over 24,000 fans, and at the auxiliary stadium at King Abdullah Sports City (Al-Jawhara), which holds around 3,000 spectators. In Riyadh, Al-Shabab Club Stadium, with a capacity of about 12,000, and Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium, which seats approximately 22,000, will host several games.
A total of 32 matches are planned, with the bulk taking place in Jeddah, including the tournament's decisive fixtures, while Riyadh will primarily host the group-stage games. The arrangement is designed to ease the movement of teams and fans while ensuring optimal operational readiness across the venues.
By hosting the tournament, the Kingdom is building on its recent organizational successes, further advancing the initiatives of the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. The efforts aim to foster the sports sector, invest in modern facilities, and nurture local talent in preparation for major upcoming events, particularly the AFC Asian Cup in 2027.