Jeddah: Hosting the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup "Khaleeji 27" in Jeddah from September 23 to October 6, 2026, is set to generate significant employment opportunities for Saudi citizens, while also nurturing local sports talent through hands-on experience in organizing large-scale sporting events.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the Local Organizing Committee is actively involving national talent across various operational and organizational roles. These roles span match operations, fan reception, crowd management, logistics, media, marketing, customer service, transportation, hospitality, and technical operations. Such comprehensive engagement provides Saudis with invaluable experience in the logistics and management of major tournaments.

The tournament's influence is expected to benefit multiple sectors in Jeddah, including hotels, restaurants, retail, tourism services, and transportation. This is anticipated due to the influx of teams, fans, and media representatives, boosting economic activity in these areas.

Additionally, the skills and experience gained from Khaleeji 27 will contribute to developing national capabilities for future events. This includes the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to advance the sports sector.

The competition will commence on September 23 with an opening match between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. A total of eight teams will compete, with games taking place at King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City.