Saudi Arabia to Ease 73-Year Alcohol ban, To Open Two Stores for Non-Muslims by 2026, Report Says – Alfaaz – The Words

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia plans to open two additional alcohol stores, including one for non-Muslim foreign staff at Aramco’s Dhahran compound, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the discussions.

According to the report, one outlet is planned in Dhahran and another in Jeddah for non-Muslim diplomats. The move follows last year’s opening of the kingdom’s first alcohol store in more than 73 years, which serves non-Muslim diplomats in Riyadh.

One source told Reuters the Dhahran outlet will be located inside an Aramco-owned compound and restricted to non-Muslim employees of the state oil company. Two sources said the Jeddah store is also intended for non-Muslim diplomats. Both stores are expected to open in 2026, though no official timeline has been released. Saudi authorities did not respond to Reuters’ questions, and Aramco declined to comment.

Reuters reported that the Riyadh store recently expanded access to non-Muslim holders of Saudi Premium Residency, a category given to certain investors, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals.

Before the Riyadh outlet, alcohol was generally obtained through diplomatic channels, the black market or home brewing.

Alcohol is available in most Gulf countries, except Kuwait.

The plans come amid a series of social changes in Saudi Arabia in recent years, including allowing women to drive and reducing the authority of the religious police. Alcohol remains prohibited for the general population, and all major tourism projects, including the Red Sea Global development with 17 hotels scheduled to open by next May, remain alcohol-free.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb told Reuters that some international travellers expect alcohol access but said “nothing has changed yet.”