Hajj-Guardian Saudi Arabia Lifts 73-Year Alcohol Ban Ahead of 2034 World Cup

In a historic shift, Saudi Arabia will permit limited alcohol sales in 2026—ending a 73-year prohibition—as part of preparations for Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, The Economic Times reported.

The policy, aligned with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, will allow beer, wine, and cider in licensed tourist zones like Neom and the Red Sea Project, while spirits and private consumption remain banned.

Officials stress the rules will be tightly controlled, with penalties for misuse. Yet the move has sparked debate about cultural double standards. “Will there be ‘dry zones’ near Mecca?” joked a Dubai-based analyst. For now, Saudi Arabia seems to be betting that economic diversification trakes theological optics—one mimosa at a time.

The policy shift has drawn scrutiny given Saudi Arabia’s dual identity as the custodian of Islam’s holy cities (Mecca and Medina) and a rapidly modernizing economy. While the Kingdom mandates strict sobriety for Hajj pilgrims—with alcohol possession punishable by fines, imprisonment, or deportation—its new licensing framework will permit alcohol sales in designated tourist enclaves like Neom. Analysts note the contradiction: Riyadh enforces religious orthodoxy domestically (e.g., gender segregation, bans on public entertainment) yet seeks to accommodate Western tourists’ preferences to diversify its oil-dependent economy.