Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) said that the kingdom’s proximity to the upcoming Fifa World Cup makes it ideal for the football fans to extend their journey to the Kingdom, listing the top 10 initiatives launched by STA to facilitate trips.

Free multi-visa entry to Saudi to facilitate travels
All Hayya Card holders can apply for a multi-entry visa free of charge, for a 60-day stay in Saudi, beginning 10 days before the tournament.
 
Discover the ancient city of Al Ula
Home to Saudi’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Al Ula sits deep in the desert in the northwestern region of the country and offers a plethora of adventure sports options and cutting-edge art installations.  

Facilitated travels with daily shuttle flights  
Saudia Airlines will be operating special flights daily to Doha from Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam. Direct shuttle flights from Riyadh to the World Cup are only 90 minutes.  

Explore the historic old town of Jeddah
Jeddah is home to the global UNESCO World Heritage site, historic Al Balad, where visitors can explore the antique designs of balconies, stone walkways, and ancient sidewalks.  

A wide range of luxury and affordable accommodation to enjoy
Saudi has a range of international hotel brands that are ready to welcome World Cup fans, from luxury options to more affordable accommodation.

One-of-a-kind Red Sea Diving experience
Jeddah is also famous for its stunning waterfront and divine Red Sea shores and is one of the world’s top diving spots.   


Lifestyle and music festivals to discover Saudi’s cultural offerings
Riyadh Season
•    One of the world’s largest lifestyle festivals taking place over 65 days, will include 8,500 activity days and experiences across 15 zones. 
MDLBEAST Sound storm - Riyadh, December 1-3
•    The region’s largest music festival featuring a line-up of international artists.
Balad Beast – Jeddah’s Old Town, December 9-10
•    A new two-day music and arts festival.

World Cup Fan Zones  
As part of Riyadh Seasons, the Fan Festival zone will have 3 mega screens to stream the World Cup, featuring live concerts, shows, and esports tournaments.  The Groves zone will include entertainment shows, dining, and a dedicated space for World Cup fans.

Spiritual travel and Umrah
Muslim visitors who are holders of Hayya Cards are allowed to perform Umrah using the free multi-entry visa. Religious travellers can book their Umrah travel through Nusuk, Saudi’s first-ever official integrated digital platform that offers all pilgrims and visitors an easy-to-use planning gateway for their journeys to Makkah and Madinah, and beyond.

Additional friends and family with the World Cup 2022 Hayya Card (1 + 3)
Hayya Card holders are able to bring three additional friends and family members to explore the authentic home of Arabia. Holders of the Hayya Card will be able to apply for their visas online and book a trip with confidence, before, during, and after the World Cup, without having to enter Doha first.  – TradeArabia News Service