Al Nassr supporters during a night match at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh

Al-Awwal Park: Visiting Al Nassr’s Home Stadium

Al Nassr Football Club plays its home matches at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh, a modern stadium that has gained worldwide attention since Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club in 2023. For football fans visiting Saudi Arabia, the stadium offers a chance to see the setting behind one of the most closely followed chapters in modern football.

Al-Awwal Park has a capacity of around 25,000 spectators and is located at King Saud University. The stadium has hosted major international football events alongside Al Nassr’s home matches, including the Spanish and Italian Super Cups.

But you do not necessarily need a match ticket to experience it. An Al Nassr Stadium Tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the venue, taking visitors beyond the stands and into areas normally associated with players, officials and the media. For anyone interested in stadium tours, that is where Al-Awwal Park becomes particularly interesting.

What Is the Al Nassr Stadium Tour?

Al-Awwal Park is primarily a working football stadium rather than a purpose-built tourist attraction. That makes visiting it quite different from simply walking around a football museum.

The stadium tour is designed to take visitors beyond the areas normally accessible to spectators on match days and provide a closer look at how the venue operates.

For Al Nassr supporters, Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence inevitably adds another dimension to the experience. But you do not need to be an Al Nassr fan to find the stadium interesting. It also provides a glimpse into the rapid development of professional football in Saudi Arabia and the country’s growing role in international sport.

Visitors viewing a model of Al-Awwal Park during a stadium tour in Riyadh

What Can You See on the Tour?

The attraction of a stadium tour is usually the opportunity to cross the invisible boundary between spectator and player.

Depending on the tour programme and access available on the day, visitors may be able to explore areas associated with the teams, media and VIP guests, as well as seeing the pitch and stands from perspectives that ordinary match tickets do not provide.

This is also where expectations should remain realistic. Al-Awwal Park is an operational stadium, so access can change around matches, events and other stadium activities.

Rather than booking because you expect one particular room or photo opportunity, we would approach the tour as a chance to see behind the scenes of one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent football venues.

Cristiano Ronaldo wearing the Al Nassr football kit

Al-Awwal Park and Cristiano Ronaldo

It is difficult to separate the recent story of Al-Awwal Park from Cristiano Ronaldo. His move to Al Nassr brought worldwide attention to the club and Saudi football, turning the stadium into a destination for many international fans.

Ronaldo’s career also connects Al-Awwal Park with some of Europe’s most famous stadiums. Before arriving in Riyadh, he played at Old Trafford in Manchester and the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.

Al-Awwal Park represents a very different chapter in that career. In May 2026, it also became the setting for Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League title celebration, with Ronaldo scoring twice in the decisive match.

More Than Al Nassr’s Home Ground

The stadium was originally known as King Saud University Stadium and is located on the university campus. That unusual setting remains part of its identity today.

Although Al Nassr is its most famous tenant, Al-Awwal Park has also staged international competitions and major football events. Its relatively compact scale creates a different atmosphere from the enormous national stadiums found in many capital cities.

The venue is also part of Saudi Arabia’s much larger investment in football infrastructure. Plans for the stadium include significant expansion and redevelopment as the country prepares for future international tournaments.

 

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

For the trip as a whole, Riyadh is generally more comfortable for sightseeing during the cooler part of the year than during the intense summer heat. For the stadium tour itself, however, availability should be the deciding factor. Check the current tour calendar together with Al Nassr’s fixtures before choosing a date.

If you also want to attend a match, treat that as a separate experience. Seeing Al-Awwal Park full of Al Nassr supporters provides something a behind-the-scenes tour cannot reproduce, while the tour gives access and perspectives that are unavailable during a game. The two experiences complement each other rather than replace one another.

Tickets and Booking

Tour availability is something we would check shortly before visiting rather than building an itinerary around old schedules or prices.

Al-Awwal Park operates its own official ticketing platform, which includes a Tours section. Because schedules, access and prices can change according to stadium events, we recommend checking the official Al-Awwal Park website for current tour availability and booking information.

This is particularly important if you are visiting Riyadh for only a few days. A football stadium is a working venue, and match preparation or other events can affect public access.

How to Get to Al-Awwal Park

Al-Awwal Park is located on the King Saud University campus in Riyadh. For many international visitors, a taxi or ride-hailing service will be the simplest option, particularly when travelling directly from a hotel or another attraction.

Riyadh’s expanding public transport system provides additional possibilities, but routes and connections can change. If you plan to use public transport, check your route shortly before travelling rather than relying on an old bus number or station recommendation.

Drivers can find parking information and access routes on the stadium’s official website.

Is the Al Nassr Stadium Tour Worth It?

For football fans, yes – particularly if you are interested in seeing how the sport is developing beyond Europe’s traditional football centres.

Al-Awwal Park is not interesting simply because Cristiano Ronaldo plays there. Its university setting, international events and role in Saudi Arabia’s changing football landscape give the stadium a story of its own.

The Ronaldo connection undoubtedly adds to the appeal, but this is still a working stadium, so tour access can vary. Check the current programme before travelling rather than expecting a guaranteed checklist of rooms or experiences.

For travelers who enjoy discovering football through its stadiums, the Al Nassr Stadium Tour offers an unusual look behind the scenes of a football culture that has changed dramatically in just a few years.

Interior view of Al-Awwal Park, home stadium of Al Nassr in Riyadh
Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh. Photo: Alawaalpark stadium / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Related posts

Blue and yellow Boca Juniors mural featuring Diego Maradona inside the club museum

The La Bombonera Stadium Tour

Discover one of South America’s most distinctive football stadiums in the heart of Buenos Aires. A visit to La Bombonera introduces you to Boca Juniors, the club’s history and the intense football culture of the La Boca neighborhood. The stadium’s steep stands and compact design make it an experience unlike almost any other ground.

Read More »
Exterior of Old Trafford with Manchester United signage

Old Trafford Stadion Tour

At Old Trafford, a guided tour and the Manchester United Museum take you beyond matchday. Walk through areas including the dressing room, players’ tunnel and dugouts, discover the club’s history, and find practical information on accessibility, transport and planning your visit to Manchester’s famous football ground.

Read More »
Bayer Leverkusen fan inside the BayArena stadium

BayArena Stadium Tour

A behind-the-scenes tour takes you inside Bayer Leverkusen’s BayArena. Visit areas such as the players’ tunnel, pitchside, press conference room and VIP sections while discovering the character of one of Germany’s most compact modern football grounds. You’ll also find tips for planning your visit well in advance.

Read More »
Scroll to Top