Al-Khubar is a modern city in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is an essential part of the province's urban center, encompassing Dammam, Dhahran, and al-Qatif. With a population of 409,549, al-Khubar is one of the Kingdom’s key economic centers. It hosts the headquarters of Aramco, the world’s largest energy company. The Eastern Province boasts over 350 football clubs and fifty accredited football academies. After the tournament, the city and its football scene will benefit from twelve training facilities, including eight training camps and four sites linked to the stadium hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034. Al-Khubar City is also preparing to co-host the AFC Asian Cup in 2027.
Tourist destinations and landmarks in al-Khubar City
Several tourist destinations, landmarks, and events are available in and near al-Khubar City, including:
- The waterfront, featuring parks and recreational projects.
- The Rig Project, the world’s most extensive entertainment and tourist destination on an offshore platform.
- Darin and Tarout Islands Development Project, the two islands, dating back to five thousand years, are currently being transformed into major tourist destinations.
- King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), listed by TIME magazine among the world’s top one hundred tourist destinations.
Accomodation in al-Khubar
By 2034, al-Khubar is expected to offer more than 17,500 hotel units, meeting the Fédération Internationale de Football Association's (FIFA) standards and ensuring comfortable and suitable accommodation. The proposed hotel for VIPs and FIFA delegations is located in al-Alya Neighborhood, near cultural attractions and major shopping centers in al-Khubar City, and directly connected to al-Rashid Mall.
Travel to al-Khubar City
Travelers to and from al-Khubar City can use King Fahd International Airport, which is set for expansion to keep pace with the exponential growth of the tourism sector in the province. The expansion project will increase the airport's capacity from 12.5 million to twenty million passengers by 2034. One of the Kingdom’s three main rail lines connects the city directly to the capital, Riyadh, and is planned to be upgraded to a high-speed line. Al-Khubar plans to develop a high-efficiency, multimodal transportation network that includes a road network stretching over four thousand km, public bus lines extending four hundred km, and a main international airport and three smaller airports. Al-Khubar features a comprehensive bus network to transport passengers to key sites in the city and surrounding areas. Additionally, maritime transportation is available via water taxi services, offering fans a unique travel experience along the shoreline.
Fan festivals sites
- King Abdullah Park, located on the waterfront near the Heritage Village in Dammam, overlooking Marjan Island. The park can accommodate 26,000 fans.
- King Fahd Park, with a capacity of 23,000 fans, featuring lakes and green spaces. It has previously hosted numerous concerts and public events during the holidays.
The stadium that will host the FIFA World Cup 2034 matches
- Aramco Stadium, on the shores of the Arabian Gulf north of al-Khubar City, features a dynamic design inspired by marine vortices. The stadium is one of the venues designated to host the AFC Asia Cup 2027.
Related quizzes
