Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing to legalize the sale of alcohol at select tourist destinations as part of a broader strategy to modernize the kingdom and boost its appeal to international visitors ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
According to reports, the conservative Gulf nation will permit the sale of beer, wine, and cider at licensed venues within 600 designated tourist zones. These venues are expected to include five-star hotels, luxury resorts, and residential compounds primarily catering to expatriates. However, the sale of beverages containing more than 20% alcohol will remain prohibited.
This potential shift marks a significant departure from longstanding religious and legal norms in Saudi Arabia, where the public consumption, possession, and sale of alcohol have been banned since 1952 under laws rooted in Wahhabi interpretations of Islamic law.
While alcohol will be allowed in specific locations to enhance the country’s competitiveness as a tourist destination — particularly against regional neighbors like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which permit alcohol in controlled environments — the general nationwide ban will remain in effect. Alcohol will continue to be forbidden in public spaces, private residences, and general retail outlets.
In 2024, the kingdom discreetly took its first steps toward lifting the alcohol ban with the opening of a regulated liquor store in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. The store serves only non-Muslim diplomats, who must present valid diplomatic identification to gain access. Mobile phones are sealed upon entry, and purchases are managed via a digital allotment system to maintain control over distribution. Prior to this development, alcohol was available only through diplomatic channels or illicit black-market sources.
Saudi Arabia, established in 1932 by Abdulaziz Al Saud, has historically enforced a legal framework grounded in strict Islamic principles. However, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom has embarked on a series of social and economic reforms aimed at modernizing its global image and reducing its dependence on oil revenues.
These reforms include expanding women’s rights — allowing them to drive, attend public events alongside men, and obtain passports without male guardian approval — and revitalizing the entertainment sector. The kingdom lifted a 35-year ban on cinemas in 2018, screening Black Panther as its first public film, and aims to establish more than 300 cinemas by 2030.
If implemented, the limited legalization of alcohol would end a 73-year official prohibition and represent a pivotal step in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to position itself as a forward-looking destination in line with its Vision 2030 development goals.
You Might Be Interested In:
