Saudi Ministry of Sport introduces new regulations for sports ticket sales

The Saudi Ministry of Sport has announced a new set of regulations governing the sale and resale of tickets for sports competitions and events within the Kingdom. The measures aim to protect fan rights, increase transparency, and curb illegal practices in the ticketing market.

Under the new rules, ticket sales and resales are restricted to event organizers and platforms officially accredited by the Ministry. The use of unauthorized platforms or accounts for trading is strictly prohibited. To ensure fairness, the regulations ban the use of automated software (bots) and multiple accounts intended to bypass purchase limits. Additionally, every ticket must be linked to the buyer’s identity, and limits will be placed on the number of tickets an individual can purchase.

Accredited platforms must clearly disclose ticket prices, categories, fees, commissions, and policies regarding cancellations and refunds. The Ministry also plans to launch a service to accredit ticket-selling platforms via the ‘Riyadh’ digital platform on November 15, 2026. Existing platforms have been granted a 90-day grace period from the date of issuance to align their systems with these new technical and regulatory requirements. The regulations also mandate compliance with cybersecurity standards and data protection protocols.