Saudi Arabia Shuts Down Rumours of Alcohol Legalisation

A senior Saudi official has firmly denied recent media reports suggesting the kingdom plans to lift its decades-long ban on alcohol, dismissing them as unfounded and inaccurate.

The reports, which gained traction after originating from a wine blog, claimed that Saudi Arabia was preparing to legalize the sale of alcohol in designated tourist areas as part of its plans to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. However, no official sources were cited in the initial publication.

Speaking on Monday, the official clarified that there are no plans to change the country’s strict laws prohibiting alcohol consumption for Muslims, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to upholding its Islamic values. “The reports are completely false,” the official said.

Saudi Arabia, widely known for its conservative stance and religious heritage as the birthplace of Islam, has been gradually relaxing some social restrictions under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 economic reform agenda. These reforms aim to diversify the oil-dependent economy by boosting tourism and foreign investment.

While alcohol remains illegal, recent years have seen dramatic cultural shifts, including the opening of cinemas, the hosting of music festivals, and the loosening of gender segregation laws. In 2017, the country lifted the ban on women driving, and the once-feared religious police have seen their powers curbed.

Last year, Saudi Arabia opened its first alcohol store in Riyadh, serving only non-Muslim diplomats under strict regulation. Outside this channel, alcohol remains available only through diplomatic shipments or illegal black-market avenues.

The viral reports sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many Saudis debating the potential implications for the kingdom’s Islamic identity and its global image, especially as it prepares to welcome international visitors for the World Cup.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait remain the only Gulf states to completely prohibit the sale of alcohol.