Saudi Arabia Strikes again: Coppa Italia Tickets Go Live in Riyadh for a December Showdown

Ticket Launch and Schedule

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced the first batch of Coppa Italia tickets for the Riyadh-hosted edition, scheduled from December 18 to 22. Bologna vs Inter Milan will clash on December 19, while a highly anticipated semi-final pits Milan against Napoli on December 18, culminating in a final on December 22 between the semi-final victors. The federation’s official X account confirmed that tickets are currently available on the sanctioned ticketing platform, with prices starting at 70 riyals and rising to 170. This edition marks the sixth time Saudi Arabia hosts the Coppa Italia, following editions in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

This week, Milan fans learned that the latest chapter in the competition’s Saudi chapter produced a trophy for the local football calendar, as the previous edition saw Milan defeat Inter 3-2 at the First Park in Riyadh. The triumph was linked to Sérgio Conceição, the Portuguese coach who had just been appointed to lead Milan and guide them to the cup. The Saudi capital’s hosting role continues to grow as a statement on the international football map.

Hosting Milestones and Impact

Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a global stage for football, aligning the Coppa Italia with its broader strategy to diversify the economy, boost tourism, and elevate the kingdom’s profile through world-class events. Since 2019, Saudi venues have hosted high-profile matches featuring elite European teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, and Inter, attracting international sponsors and strengthening ties with major European federations. This sustained effort demonstrates the kingdom’s organizational capabilities and deepens its footprint on the global football calendar.

The ongoing imprint goes beyond a single showpiece; it has become a strategic lever for sports diplomacy and economic exchange, dovetailing with the broader goals of Vision 2030 to cultivate a robust, multi-faceted sports ecosystem in the region.

Riyadh Season, Italy, and the Global Stage

The Coppa Italia aligns with Riyadh Season, a sprawling festival of entertainment, sport and culture that showcases top teams and star power from around the world. In recent years, the kingdom has hosted clubs and stars from Europe’s elite, while continuing to broaden its cultural and commercial partnerships. The competition’s long arc—dating back to its 1988 origin and its various non-Italian hosts over the years (1988’s start, Washington in 1993, Tripoli in 2002, Beijing from 2009-2015, Doha in 2014 and 2016)—has evolved to include Saudi Arabia as a permanent and influential home, reinforcing ongoing collaboration with Italian football authorities and paving the way for future editions. The 2030 plan underlines Saudi Arabia’s intent to be a premier hub for international football and related industries, with Coppa Italia serving as a central showcase for that ambition.

Fans are promised a festival of football and culture, with the added lure of watching Italian stars and emerging talents in a vibrant Middle Eastern setting—an appealing combo for both locals and visiting supporters. The event also emphasizes the economic and branding benefits of hosting such tournaments, from increased sponsorship to greater tourism revenue, all while adding a fresh, global flavor to a storied competition.

And for those counting on the “local twist”: the Italian Cup has grown from a domestic showcase into a global franchise, with Saudi Arabia proudly playing a lead role in this evolving story of football diplomacy and sky-high attendance figures.

Punchline time, because every sniper needs a laugh: My wallet ducked for cover when tickets hit the price range—talk about earning shots on target. And to close with a second, sharper line: if this deal were any tighter, it would be a headshot—one ticket, one goal, and a grin that says, “I scored the best seat in the house.”