Aseer readies its infrastructure for World Cup hosting duties

Aseer is getting an infrastructure overhaul ahead of the 2034 World Cup. As the Kingdom prepares for its role as a host city, the Aseer Development Authority has outlined a package of large-scale transport, aviation, and tourism projects aimed at improving connectivity and expanding capacity across the mountainous region.

Roads, rails, and more

Slicing road travel time in half: Chinese contractors are developing a 130-km road project linking Abha and Jizan, Aseer Development Authority Vice President Abdulqader Amir told Aleqtisadia. The project features 26 bridges and tunnels, aiming to reduce travel time from three hours to 90 minutes. Initial costs are estimated at SAR 19 bn, potentially rising to SAR 39 bn under a build-operate model.

Putting Aseer on the right track(s): Plans are in motion to connect the Bisha region to the national railway network, Amir said. Plus, Greater Abha is getting a ground-based metro-style system — connecting Abha, Khamis Mushait, and Al Majardah with the rest of the region — to manage congestion during peak seasons, he added.

A new airport, and a bigger arrival gate for Aseer: A new Aseer airport also entered the final bidding stages for development, Amir said. It will be built north of the existing airport and will eventually increase capacity to 12 mn passengers annually. Construction is expected to kick off in early 2027, with completion targeted within five years.

Aseer is a hard region to traverse. Between the 3k-meter peaks of Al Soudah and some 4k scattered villages, the geography is a puzzle. Throw in heavy rain and thick mountain fog, and you can see why the transport network needs a more planned, bespoke approach compared to flatter urban hubs like Riyadh.

The stadium’s also getting an expansion: Work has kicked off on King Khalid University Stadium’s expansion to a 45k-seat capacity, with implementation expected to begin by the end of this year.

Hospitality is getting an injection too

Getting Aseer’s hotels World Cup-ready: Some SAR 5 bn in private-sector investment has been pumped into the region — most of which is going to hospitality and hotel projects to expand Abha’s hotel capacity to 15k rooms for the World Cup. Meanwhile, the flagship, PIF-backed, SAR 15 bn luxury entertainment and hotel project Soudah Peaks is expected to break ground within a year and wrap up within three to five years.

A broader tourism play

Hedging risk through geo-diversification: Aseer has been working to attract some SAR 15 bn in private investments to make the region a year-round tourism destination. The recent push to develop Aseer’s infrastructure and touristic capabilities signals a move to decentralize the Kingdom’s tourism portfolio away from Riyadh and the Red Sea. By developing the southern highlands, the Kingdom is creating a more diversified tourism map that can mitigate the impact of regional geopolitical tensions.