Gulf Cup 27 to debut SafeTix™ digital ticketing in Saudi Arabia

The Gulf Football Federation, in collaboration with the local organizing committee, will implement SafeTix™ technology for the 27th Gulf Cup. This marks the first time the digital ticketing solution will be used in the GCC countries.

Hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from September 23 to October 6, 2026, the tournament will feature eight Gulf national teams competing in 15 matches across King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City. The technology aims to enhance fan experience through advanced security, ease of use, and seamless stadium entry.

SafeTix™ utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) to allow fans to enter stadiums using their mobile phones. The system supports integration with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, providing access without the need for paper tickets. To prevent fraud and unauthorized use, the system employs dynamic barcodes that automatically refresh, mitigating the risk of screenshot misuse.