On Monday, a Saudi official publicly denied media reports suggesting that the kingdom would lift its 73-year-old ban on alcohol.
The kingdom—home to Islam’s two holiest sites—has long prohibited the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages for Muslims. The statement, reported by Reuters, asserted that such claims were "unfounded" and emphasized that there is currently no intention to lift the alcohol ban. However, despite the denial, the Saudi government has not released an official statement clarifying the nation's definitive position, leaving room for continued speculation.
The original report, circulated last week on platforms including Wine-Intelligence, alleged that Saudi Arabia intended to allow alcohol sales in specific tourist zones. The move was rumored to be linked to preparations for hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup—a landmark event that would inevitably increase international visitor traffic.
Yet beneath the official denials lies a more nuanced reality. In January 2024, Saudi Arabia discreetly opened its first licensed liquor store in Riyadh, located within the city’s diplomatic quarter. The store is strictly limited to non-Muslim diplomats and operates under tight restrictions. Access is controlled via a dedicated app called Diplo, mobile phones are prohibited inside to prevent the spread of images, and monthly quotas cap the amount of alcohol each individual can purchase.
This low-key development is part of a broader shift under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who is championing Vision 2030—an ambitious plan to modernize the Saudi economy and reduce its dependence on oil. Social liberalization has accompanied this economic overhaul, bringing sweeping changes to public life: from allowing women to drive and attend mixed-gender events to hosting music festivals, fashion shows, and cinemas—activities once considered taboo in the kingdom.
Still, the issue of alcohol remains deeply symbolic. The Saudi king also holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, which amplifies the religious weight behind any policy on intoxicants. The alcohol rumor has sparked heated online debates within the kingdom and beyond, reflecting the tension between religious conservatism and modernizing ambitions.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait remain the only Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states that entirely prohibit alcohol sales. However, black market channels and diplomatic imports have long been the only routes to obtain liquor within the kingdom.
While there appears to be no sweeping change in policy for the general public, the diplomatic alcohol store—and the ambiguity surrounding official responses—suggest that Saudi Arabia is testing the waters. As the world looks toward the 2034 World Cup and increasing foreign engagement, subtle regulatory shifts may quietly reshape the kingdom's rigid policies—without making official declarations that could provoke conservative backlash.
Source: Reuters