Chartered flights arranged by the UAE Football Association to carry supporters to the Arabian Gulf Cup final sold out in less than 10 minutes after registration opened at 1pm on Sunday, October 4. Six aircraft had been set aside for the trip to Jeddah, and all seats were claimed almost immediately once bookings went live.
The UAE reached the final for the first time since 2018 after beating Oman 1-0 in Saturday's semi-final, with Ousmane Camara scoring the only goal in the 22nd minute. In the other semi-final, Saudi Arabia edged past Qatar 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw, setting up a Gulf derby final against the UAE.
The final will be played on Tuesday, October 6, at 10pm UAE time at Alinma Stadium inside King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. The UAE last lifted the trophy in 2013, while Saudi Arabia's most recent Gulf Cup title came in 2004, making the match a chance for either side to end a long wait for silverware.
The instant sellout underlines how closely UAE fans are following the national team's run, with demand for travel to Jeddah far outstripping the six-flight capacity set aside by organisers. Supporters who missed out on the chartered flights are expected to look at commercial options to reach Jeddah in time for kickoff, as the match is being billed as one of the region's most anticipated football fixtures this year.