Saudi Super Cup in Kuwait - Sarmad

The Saudi Football Federation announced that Kuwait will officially host the 13th edition of the Saudi Super Cup for the 2026-2027 season, from December 19 to 23 next year, marking a new Gulf stop for the tournament and reflecting the deep fraternal relations between Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The announcement followed the signing of an agreement between the Saudi Federation, represented by its exclusive commercial partner, SMC Vibes (Al Wasael Saudi Group), and the Kuwaiti alliance comprising Al Rai Media Group and Aayan Leasing and Investment Company. The alliance has become the official partner for hosting the Saudi Super Cup.

Kuwait becomes the eighth stop in the Saudi Super Cup’s journey, which has moved since its inception between various domestic and international cities, including Makkah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, London, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong. This approach reflects the diversity of the tournament’s venues and its expanding fan base, before making its inaugural appearance in Kuwait next December.

The agreement was signed on Monday in Riyadh, attended by Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Football Association; Badr Al-Rizayza, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Football Federation; Rashid Al-Omairi, CEO of Al Rai Media Group; Abdullah Al-Shatti, CEO of Aayan Leasing and Investment Company; Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, CEO of SMC Vibes; and Khaled Al-Sayer, CEO of Al Rai Global Advertising and Public Relations Company.

Welcoming the hosting of the Saudi Super Cup in Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef, Chairman of the Kuwait Football Association, noted that the tournament adds value to the Gulf sports landscape. He expressed hope for delivering a distinctive edition befitting the tournament’s stature and the participating teams.

Al-Yousef emphasized that the hosting reflects the deep fraternal ties between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the significant attention and interest Saudi football garners among Kuwaiti fans.

For his part, Badr Al-Rizayza, Chairman of the Saudi Football Federation, stressed the importance of the Saudi Super Cup within the federation’s competition framework, noting ongoing efforts to develop the tournament and enhance its commercial and fan presence.

Al-Rizayza pointed out that hosting the next edition in Kuwait represents a historic opportunity to strengthen the tournament’s regional presence, reach a broader audience, and build strategic partnerships that contribute to enhancing its value and supporting the sustainability and development of Saudi football.

Expressing his delight over the event, Fahad Al-Ghanim, Vice Chairman of Aayan Leasing and Investment Company, stated that the alliance between Al Rai and Aayan in hosting the tournament underscores the capability and effectiveness of Kuwait’s private sector in driving development across various fields, leveraging its capabilities and expertise.

Al-Ghanim noted that Kuwait’s private sector receives significant attention and plays a fundamental role in improving the business environment and promoting national progress and development, thanks to the high royal directives.

He stressed that this hosting reflects the deep fraternal relations between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, as well as the massive public enthusiasm for Saudi football among Kuwaiti audiences. This gives the tournament a special dimension, making its staging in Kuwait a Gulf occasion that transcends the boundaries of on-field competition.

Al-Ghanem affirmed that the “Al-Rai” and “Aayan” alliance would mobilize all available capacities, resources, and expertise to deliver a distinctive edition befitting the tournament’s name and the stature of the participating clubs, meeting the expectations of fans and reflecting Kuwait’s ability to organize a high-profile sporting event at a professional standard.

Rashed Al-Omairi, for his part, expressed the CEO of Al-Rai Media Group, Rashed Ali Al-Omairi, his delight at the partnership in hosting the Saudi Super Cup, emphasizing the anticipation of working with the Saudi Football Federation and SMC Vibes to present a standout edition that aligns with the tournament’s prestige and the significant interest Saudi football garners among the Kuwaiti public.

Al-Omairi stated that hosting the Saudi Super Cup in Kuwait represents a new pivotal milestone in the trajectory of Kuwait’s media and sports presence, reflecting the level of fruitful cooperation achieved by national partnerships. He noted that this would not have been possible without the support of the political leadership and the amiri directives from His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to strengthen public-private partnerships in support of development in Kuwait.

He added that this support served as a catalyst for the success of the “Al-Rai” and “Aayan” alliance in winning the bid to host the event, which constitutes a unique opportunity to showcase Kuwait’s organizational capabilities and enhance the confidence of major football federations and sporting bodies in its ability to host major tournaments with high efficiency and professionalism.

Sultan Al-Sheikh, CEO of SMC Vibes, said that Kuwait’s hosting of the Saudi Super Cup represents a new step toward expanding the tournament’s presence and enhancing its commercial value, thereby delivering greater value to the tournament, its partners, and its fans.

Khaled Al-Sayer, for his part, said the CEO of Al-Rai Global Advertising and Public Relations, Khaled Salah Al-Sayer, that the tournament matches will be held at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, featuring four clubs: Al-Nassr, Al-Khaleej, Al-Ahli, and Al-Qadsiah, from December 19 to 23 next year.

Al-Sayer pointed out that the tournament draw is scheduled to take place in Kuwait on October 14 next year to determine the two semi-final matchups, after which tickets will be made available to the public.

He revealed that special events will accompany the Saudi Super Cup, to be announced soon, particularly given the anticipated fan enthusiasm surrounding the tournament. He explained that the “Al-Rai” and “Aayan” alliance would dedicate all its resources to the event’s organization in a manner befitting the tournament’s value and stature.

Hosting the tournament in Kuwait carries a Gulf dimension that transcends sporting competition, given the close fraternal and historical ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait, the social and geographical proximity linking the peoples of the two countries, and their shared passion for football. These factors contribute to the tournament’s distinctive fan atmosphere and strengthen its presence at the Gulf level.