Riyadh, 2034, and meeting people over coffee.

What 2034 looks like

Saudi Arabia is the sole host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, with matches planned across Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and the new city of NEOM. Riyadh is expected to stage the largest share, including a new stadium built for the final. Stadium plans and the schedule are still being finalised, so treat today's details as provisional. What is certain is that the tournament will bring more international visitors to the Kingdom at once than ever before — and almost all of them will arrive knowing nobody.

Riyadh's social life runs on coffee

Alcohol is not sold in Saudi Arabia, and Riyadh's evening culture has developed around something else: coffee. Specialty coffee shops, late-opening cafés, lounges and food halls fill from after sunset until late, and the city's social scene — especially among people under 35 — happens there. Riyadh Season turns the winter months into one long festival of pop-up venues, concerts and sport. Social norms have relaxed considerably in recent years, and mixed cafés and restaurants are standard in the city's newer districts.

Why BUDMO fits

BUDMO was built on the principle that a drink isn't a date and that the drink itself is beside the point — the venue is picked for being a good place to talk, and every venue must serve a quality non-alcoholic option at parity. In Riyadh that is simply every venue. You say when you're free; we match you with one verified person — a local, a resident, a travelling fan — and pick a vetted café or lounge near you. Your deposit becomes venue credit at check-in, so the first coffee is already covered. Afterwards you both privately say if you'd meet again.

Beyond Riyadh

Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha and NEOM are on the same waitlist. If 2034 takes you across the Kingdom, pick the city for each leg.