Congratulations, Newcastle – your moment echoes far beyond the pitch
· Saudi unveils a limited-time travel invitation to mark Newcastle’s historic win, celebrating shared passion for football and culture
· Football has been part of Saudi life for nearly 70 years, connecting communities and nations through a global love of the game.
· More than a deal, it’s an invitation to explore Saudi’s rich heritage, diverse landscapes, and modern spirit through the lens of sport.
[London – 28 March 2025] – To celebrate Newcastle United’s historic cup win, Saudi has launched a time-limited travel invitation for UK travellers. Timed with the club’s first silverware in decades, the offer invites travellers to explore Saudi through a shared love of football, culture and connection.
All offers are available to book here
Offers include:
1/ Majestic AlUla: 3 nights including return flights from the UK from £2,129pp
Highlights include:
· Tour the monumental rock-cut tombs of Hegra and Dadan
· View ancient inscriptions and petroglyphs at Jabal Ikmah
· Stargaze in the stunning desert setting of Gharameel
· Enjoy a traditional barbeque dinner under the desert sky
· Marvel at gigantic geological formations including Elephant Rock
2/ Highlights of Saudi: 6 nights including return flights from the UK from £4,689pp
Highlights include:
· Discover Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed historical district, Al Balad
· Visit the historic Islamic places in Madina
· Tour of the rock-cut tombs of Hegra in a Land Rover
· See the ancient petroglyphs at Jubbah
· Take in the cultural highlights of Riyadh and Jeddah
3/ Grand Tour of Saudi: 13 nights including return flights from the UK from £8,919pp
Highlights include:
· Explore the rock-cut tombs of Hegra and Dadan
· Tour the key cultural and historical sites of Riyadh and Jeddah
· Visit UNESCO-listed rock art sites near Hail
· Experience stargazing amidst rock formations at Gharameel
· Visit the rose country of Taif
These limited-time offers are designed to inspire spontaneous discovery – to experience Saudi’s legendary hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and a growing sports scene that’s as proud and passionate as any in the world.
When football transcends borders
Newcastle’s long-awaited victory stirred more than just local pride. The city’s celebration rippled far beyond the stands – a reminder that football isn’t just a game. It’s memory. Belonging. Hope. And sometimes, it transcends borders.
To honour that moment , Saudi has extended this invitation. It’s a chance to discover a destination fast emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic and unexpected. Beyond the headlines lies a Saudi few have seen: rich in heritage, natural beauty and a 70-year love for football that continues to connect communities.
From the Saudi Red Sea’s crystal waters to Riyadh’s creative pulse and the misty mountains of Abha, Saudi is a land of firsts – where ancient stories meet a future unfolding in real time.
A game that travels further than we think
It may surprise many, but football in Saudi is nearly 70 years old.
Founded in 1956, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has long nurtured a homegrown love for the beautiful game. The national team – Al-Saqour (“The Falcons”) – has represented the country at six FIFA World Cups and has lifted the AFC Asian Cup three times, making it one of Asia’s most successful footballing nations.
From bustling Riyadh to the Saudi Red Sea shores of Jeddah, and into desert communities where children carve out goals in the sand, football is a language spoken everywhere in Saudi.
And like in Newcastle, it binds generations, ignites passion, and creates shared identity.
Travellers can trace ancient Nabatean tombs in AlUla, where millennia-old stories are etched in stone. They can wander through the coral-stone alleyways of Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed historic town. Or watch the sunrise from Soudah Mountain in Abha, the country’s mist-covered highlands.
On the Saudi Red Sea coast, overwater villas and untouched coral reefs await. And across the vast open desert, stargazing, camel treks and slow travel rituals reconnect visitors to something far deeper than an itinerary.
This is the Saudi of now – a Land of Firsts, not just in innovation and scale, but in the emotional resonance of a first-time visit.
And for many UK travellers, this invitation may be the moment that opens that door.
Truly, it has never been easier to visit Saudi – visa initiatives have been continuously developed, with the eVisa program now including 66 countries and special administrative regions, and the GCC residents visa and free 96-hour Stopover Visa. UK, US, or Schengen visa holders, as well as residents of the UK, US, or European Union countries, are eligible for the instant eVisa.
Saudia and British Airways operate regular routes between Saudi and the UK. Flights operate from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester with direct flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Neom Bay. With 51 inbound flights now operating weekly, the busiest routes are London – Jeddah, Manchester – Jeddah, and London – Riyadh.
To request more information, images, interviews, or travel guidance, please contact sauditourism@mslgroup.com
Visit Saudi has a 24/7 tourist helpline (dial 930) for travellers who require assistance or have any concerns.
To learn more and plan your trip, visit Visit Saudi.