Saudi Arabia to allow women to attend stadium-based sport

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Saudi Arabia to allow women to attend stadium-based sport

October 30, 2017

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will allow women into three sports stadiums for the first time from 2018, in a landmark move that would open up the previously male-only venues to families.

Having long barred women from sports arenas to abide by strict rules on segregation of the sexes in public, the Kingdom's General Sports Authority announced on Twitter "starting the preparation of three stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to be ready to accommodate families from early 2018."

The announcement is in line with powerful Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s ambitious reform drive in the nation, including the decision to allow women to drive from next June.

In September authorities allowed hundreds of women to enter a sports stadium in Riyadh for the first time to mark Saudi Arabia’s national day.

Under the country’s guardianship system, a male family member - normally the father, husband or brother - must grant permission for a woman’s study, travel and other activities.

But the Kingdom appears to be relaxing some norms as part of its 'Vision 2030' plan for economic and social reforms, which aims to boost female employment.

In July, rights campaigners welcomed an 'overdue' reform by the Saudi Education Ministry to allow girls to take part in sports at Government schools.

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