Football Path
All tournaments

AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia: groups, schedule, stadiums and tickets

Saudi Arabia hosts Asia's championship for the first time, in January–February 2027 — draw made, tickets on sale.

Updated

HostsSaudi Arabia
DatesJanuary 7 – February 5, 2027
Teams24
FinalKing Fahd Sports City Stadium, Riyadh

Tickets: On sale. Sold through the tournament's official ticketing platform since the May 2026 draw; an initial presale was for Visa cardholders.

Overview

The 2027 AFC Asian Cup is the first hosted by Saudi Arabia. It follows the 2023 edition in Qatar (played January 2024). The final draw was held on May 9, 2026 at At-Turaif in Diriyah, near Riyadh, producing six groups of four.

Matches are played at eight stadiums across three cities — Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar. The opening match and the final are at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh. Tickets went on sale after the draw through the tournament's official ticketing platform. Preparations stepped up in September 2026: the organisers are running the Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27, Jeddah, September 23 – October 6) as the operational test event, the AFC named a record 76 match officials — including a first-ever European contingent — and the local organising committee confirmed permanent team base camps, a first for the Asian Cup, with 31 training sites secured.

Hosts and venues

Riyadh
  • King Fahd Sports City Stadium (opening match and final)
  • King Saud University Stadium
  • Kingdom Arena
  • Imam Mohammed bin Saud University Stadium
  • Al-Shabab Stadium
Jeddah
  • King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
  • Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium
Khobar
  • Aramco Stadium (new build)

Format

  • 24 teams in six groups of four; group winners, runners-up and the four best third-placed teams reach the Round of 16.
  • Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final — 51 matches.

The path to Asian Cup 2027: how teams qualify

RouteHow it works
HostsSaudi Arabia qualifies automatically.
Direct entryTeams that reached the third round of Asian World Cup 2026 qualifying were already qualified for the Asian Cup.
Third roundThe final qualifying round — 24 teams in six groups, group winners qualifying — concluded in March 2026, completing the 24-team field.
DrawThe final draw on May 9, 2026 in Diriyah placed the 24 teams into groups A–F.

Latest Asian Cup 2027 updates

  1. The AFC names a record 76 match officials for the Asian Cup 2027 — 24 referees, 41 assistants and 11 video match officials — including the first UEFA contingent at an Asian Cup. The Gulf Cup in Jeddah (September 23 – October 6) doubles as the tournament's test event. Details

Key dates

WhenWhat
March 2026Qualifying complete
May 9, 2026Final draw held, Diriyah — tickets on sale afterwards
September 23 – October 6, 2026Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27) in Jeddah — the Asian Cup's test event
November 9–17, 2026Last international window before the tournament
January 7, 2027Opening match, King Fahd Sports City Stadium, Riyadh
February 5, 2027Final, King Fahd Sports City Stadium, Riyadh

Past winners

AFC Asian Cup: past editions
YearHostWinnerRunner-up
2023QatarQatarJordan
2019United Arab EmiratesQatarJapan
2015AustraliaAustraliaSouth Korea
2011QatarJapanAustralia
2007Indonesia / Malaysia / Thailand / VietnamIraqSaudi Arabia
2004ChinaJapanChina
2000LebanonJapanSaudi Arabia
1996United Arab EmiratesSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab Emirates

Asian Cup 2027 FAQ

Where is the 2027 Asian Cup?

Saudi Arabia — the country's first time hosting the tournament — at eight stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar.

When does the Asian Cup 2027 start?

January 7, 2027, with the final on February 5, 2027. Both the opener and the final are at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh.

Has the Asian Cup 2027 draw been made?

Yes. The final draw was held on May 9, 2026 at At-Turaif in Diriyah and split the 24 teams into six groups of four.

Are Asian Cup 2027 tickets on sale?

Yes. Tickets went on sale after the May 2026 draw through the official ticketing platform, with an initial presale for Visa cardholders.

How many teams qualify for the Asian Cup 2027?

24, including hosts Saudi Arabia.

Guides for Asian Cup 2027

GuideAsian Cup 2027 groupsAll six Asian Cup 2027 groups from the May 9, 2026 draw in Diriyah: Saudi Arabia v Palestine opener, Japan with Qatar, Australia with Iraq, plus pots and Yemen. GuideAsian Cup 2027 scheduleAsian Cup 2027 schedule: groups January 7–20, round of 16 January 22–25, quarter-finals January 28–29, semis February 1–2, final February 5 in Riyadh, kick-off. GuideAsian Cup 2027 stadiumsAll eight Asian Cup 2027 stadiums with capacities: five in Riyadh led by the 72,000-seat King Fahd Stadium, two in Jeddah and the new Aramco Stadium in Khobar. GuideAsian Cup 2027 ticketsAsian Cup 2027 tickets are on general sale via the official Ahlan platform after a Visa presale in May 2026: phases, prices from SAR 30 and avoiding resellers.

More tournaments

June 8 – July 21, 2030 World Cup 2030The centenary World Cup: Spain, Portugal and Morocco host, with three opening matches in South America. June 9 – July 9, 2028 Euro 2028The UK and Ireland co-host the 24-team European Championship, with the final at Wembley. June 19 – July 17, 2027 AFCON 2027East Africa's first AFCON: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda co-host the 24-team tournament, June 19 – July 17, 2027. June 24 – July 25, 2027 Women's World Cup 2027Brazil hosts the first Women's World Cup in South America — 32 teams, final at the Maracanã, draw on December 11, 2026. June – July 2028 (TBC) Copa América 2028South America's championship returns in mid-2028 — host still to be confirmed by CONMEBOL. June – July 2029 (TBC) Club World Cup 2029The second 32-team Club World Cup — seven clubs already qualified, host to be chosen by FIFA. Completed World Cup 2026Spain beat Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.

Details marked TBC had not been confirmed by the organiser when this page was last reviewed (September 28, 2026).