Fans from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) demonstrated early excitement ahead of the Gulf Cup final, securing spots on six charter flights to Jeddah in less than ten minutes, the day before the title match against Saudi Arabia scheduled for Tuesday.
The rush began shortly after the UAE Football Association opened registration for fans wishing to attend the Gulf Cup final, turning the usual booking process into a tense race for seats.
The Association organized six aircraft to transport fans to Saudi Arabia after the national team qualified for the final, aiming to ensure a strong Emirati presence in the stands. Local media reported that all available seats were taken within minutes of registration opening at noon.
This surge in demand occurred one day after the UAE defeated Oman 1-0 in Jeddah, allowing them to reach the Gulf Cup final for the first time since 2018 and rekindling hopes for the region's long-awaited glory after 13 years.
The match between the UAE and Saudi Arabia will take place in Jeddah on Tuesday. The UAE aims to win its third Gulf Cup title following victories in 2007 and 2013, while Saudi Arabia seeks to end a nearly 22-year wait for the trophy.
Since every seat was taken almost immediately upon release, the rapid sell-out served as an early indicator of the atmosphere expected at King Abdullah Sports Complex on Tuesday, where a large number of Emirati supporters are anticipated.