Expect two days of football action as the capital will host the Saudi Super Cup for the first time.
Abu Dhabi is on a roll, its sports event calendar featuring more action than we can keep up — just last week, we reported on the Boston Celtics facing the Denver Nuggets on a court in the capital later this year. As for the latest development? Two of football’s biggest legends, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, are confirmed to land on our shores. And it’s all thanks to Experience Abu Dhabi, the destination brand for the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, which won the bid to host this year’s edition of the Saudi Super Cup.
Incidentally, this marks the first time the tournament has been hosted in the Middle East outside of Saudi Arabia. The three-match tournament will kick off between Al-Ittihad Club and Al Wehda FC at Al-Nahyan Stadium at 9pm on Monday, 8 April. This will be followed by Al Hilal SFC and Al-Nassr FC at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium at 11:30pm. Taking place in the same venue, the winners will face off during the final on Thursday, 11 April.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema aside, the tournament will feature regional talents such as Salem Al Dawsari and Abderrazak Hamdallah, all competing for the coveted cup. Running since 2013 and organised by the Saudi Arabian Football Association (SAFF), the Saudi Super Cup has established itself as an annual showcase of the best of Saudi club football. Initially held with a two-team format, the 2022-23 season expanded to include two additional teams, comprising the winners and runners-up of the King Cup and Pro League.
The 11th edition of the Saudi Super Cup is another significant step forward in strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for world-class sporting events — the city is no stranger to hosting some of the biggest names in the UFC, NBA, and Formula One. Bonus: the upcoming Saudi Super Cup will coincide with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, allowing football fanatics from across the country to see their heroes up close.
DSCVR: Saudi Super Cup. Al-Nahyan Stadium, Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. @saudisupercup
