Looking into Asian opportunities? Join us at our 3rd annual TheTicketingBusiness ASIA 2024 in Hong Kong [14-15-16 October]
Our global meeting returns to Manchester 28-29-30 April 2025 - Register for your #TBF25 Super Earlybird rate here

Sports

Saudi Arabian businessman on top to win Ronaldo vs Messi VIP ticket

Featured image credit: alobayd/ CC BY 2.0/ Edited for size

A Saudi Arabian businessman is at the front of the queue to secure a the VIP spot at an upcoming match between footballing greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, after making a SAR 10m (£2.1m/€2.4m/$2.7m) bid. 

According to a report from Reuters, general manager of real estate group AgarOne, Mushref Al-Ghamdi, is currently the highest bidder in the auction, which will end on January 17. 

The ‘Beyond Imagination’ ticket will enable the buyer to also attend the winner’s ceremony after the match, enter the dressing rooms and meet both players.

The game is set to take place on January 19 in Riyadh at the 68,752-capacity King Fahd Stadium (pictured), and will feature a combined team from Saudi clubs Al Nassr and Al Hilal and Messi’s Ligue 1 club, Paris St Germain. 

Ronaldo agreed to join Pro League club Al Nassr at the end of December, and the match will be the first time the two footballers have met on the pitch since Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, in December 2020. 

The money made from the auction is set to be donated to charity.