One other major concern about Saudi Arabia’s hosting rights is the rather poor nightlife. This could be a deterring factor if foreign fans enjoyed an animated, multifaceted nightlife. The World Cup is not only about football; it is rather a global celebration of culture, with fans from all parts of the world uniting to rejoice. Exploring the nightlife of lively cities, having concerts and festivals, or having a late-night meal are some of the common activities of the World Cup. The lack of vibrant nightlife could make a challenge for Saudi Arabia in presenting the level of atmosphere expected by fans.
Here, we delve into why limited nightlife options might make Saudi Arabia less appealing to fans and discuss the broader implications this may have for the country’s hopes of hosting the FIFA World Cup.
Saudi Arabian Conservatism as a Limitation on Social Atmosphere and Culture
Saudi Arabia’s conservative culture and legislation regarding alcohol largely influence its nightlife. Many fans expect the World Cup to provide a feel to the event that is sporting excitement with vibrant social gatherings. In cities of countries that have hosted the World Cup in the past, cities become hubs for fan meetups, public celebrations, and spontaneous gatherings that are usually attributed to a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.
The lack of alcohol availability may not allow such fan zones and informal gatherings that would otherwise bring international fans together over drinks. While alcohol alone is not what makes the social atmosphere exciting, it can be part of the cultural experience for many fans who attend international games.
Diversification of Entertainment Functions
Nightlife is well beyond bars and clubs. These are the many night activities that will allow people to party long after the play has ended for the day game. The host nations too have concerts, street performances, night markets, as well as other forms of amusement for the influx of global visitors. A 2022 survey by Statista revealed that 65% of international sports fans consider nightlife and cultural activities important factors when choosing to attend events in foreign countries.
In addition, the entertainment sector of Saudi Arabia is still in its teething stage; therefore, entertainment like music festivals, mega outdoor gatherings, and dance events are likely scarce. While Saudi Arabia is putting into its infrastructure high-end hotels, malls, and resorts, nightlife that appeals to the variety of visitors coming to a World Cup goes way beyond luxury facilities.
Gender Mixing and Public Assemblies
The segregation of genders in Saudi might also impact the fan experience. Even though there have been recent relaxations to the rules, there are still social norms and legal limits to how men and women can interact in public places, especially in more traditional areas. Many fans come in mixed-gender teams and expect to be within an environment in which easy socialization is freely allowed without restrictions.
Wherever the World Cup is, across most of the host nations, fans from all backgrounds interact freely, sharing in a love for football and so on. In Saudi Arabia, there could be mixed reactions or restrictions on the assembling of mixed genders, which will hinder the spontaneity and inclusiveness often described and attributed to the World Cup.
Scant Late-Night Eating and Socializing Places
In most other countries, the World Cup experience extends far beyond the stadium with late-night eating and casual socializing that participates in the local culture. Saudi Arabia has a weak tradition of late-night street food vendors, 24-hour cafes, or casual eateries open till dawn. Many restaurants and cafes in Saudi cities will close relatively early compared to typical World Cup host cities, meaning fans may have difficulty finding places to dine and socialize after games.
Fans may also have less chance to mix with the local culture and interact with other fans to recover from the effects of the matches. During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, fan zones attracted over 7 million visitors across the host cities, with many zones offering a lively atmosphere, alcohol, and diverse entertainment options.
Challenges in Replicating Fan Zones
Fan zones have been a favorite of the World Cup experience. The fan zone presents an opportunity for people to watch live games on screens in stadiums, and that is even if one doesn’t have a ticket in the stadium. The same may not be as easily replicated in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s utilization of fan zones would be a concept that probably could not be used the way it has been elsewhere around the world. These fans would miss most things that international fans have become accustomed to. Alcohol-free zones could be created but perhaps the usual revelry and spirit would be lacking among the fans.
Unlikely Local Participation in Events
Part of the essence of any World Cup is that the residents of the country hosting it take part significantly in giving the tournament its characteristic flavor. The passion from the local fans, employees, and volunteers heightens the energy levels and, therefore, makes the entire event more participative. In Saudi Arabia, the local enthusiasm may not necessarily be synchronized with global fan culture. Conservativeness and the mere notion of tradition might be inhibiting the local folks from celebrating loudly in public or mingling with the visitors across the borders. A survey of World Cup fans found that 72% believe in the importance of an inclusive atmosphere where fans from diverse backgrounds feel welcome.
Conclusion
With all these facts, although Saudi Arabia has gone a long way in modernization and greater entertainment varieties are being created, its low nightlife, traditional social settings, and few public venues for group activities might not make it as attractive a host country for the FIFA World Cup in 2034. A World Cup is much more than just a sport but also an event with worldwide representation that embodies equality, diversity, and warm socialization. Limited nightlife in Saudi Arabia may not provide an opportunity for fans to experience the vibrant, unstructured lifestyle that represents the World Cup.
