AFC Issues Drinking Water Supply Tender for Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has taken a concrete step toward operational readiness for the 2027 Asian Cup, issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the supply and delivery of drinking water during the tournament. The RFP, published on 28 July 2026, signals that logistical planning for the continent’s flagship national team competition is moving into a detailed procurement phase.

RFP details and timeline

The tender covers the provision of drinking water across all venues and official sites during the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. According to the AFC’s official tenders page, the tournament is scheduled to run from 15 December 2026 to 5 February 2027, though the confederation notes that the period may be adjusted. The RFP invites qualified companies to submit proposals and quotations for the supply chain, including delivery logistics to match venues, training sites, and other tournament locations.

The AFC has not disclosed the estimated value of the contract or the number of bottles or dispensing points required. Bidders are expected to demonstrate capacity to handle large-scale event logistics across multiple host cities. Saudi Arabia has not yet confirmed the full list of host cities, but the 2027 edition is expected to be the first Asian Cup played in the kingdom.

Importance for tournament preparation

Procurement of basic necessities such as drinking water may seem minor, but it reflects the scale of the operation. The 2027 Asian Cup will feature 24 teams, up from 16 in earlier editions, increasing the demand for accommodation, transport, food, and water services. The RFP is one of many tenders the AFC will issue in the coming months, covering everything from security to medical services.

For a tournament held in a desert climate, water supply logistics are particularly critical. The competition will take place during the cooler months, December to February, when average temperatures in Saudi Arabia range from 15°C to 25°C. Even so, the volume of water needed for players, officials, volunteers, and media across multiple venues over 54 days is substantial.

Broader context of the tournament

Saudi Arabia won the right to host the 2027 Asian Cup in February 2023, beating bids from Iran and a joint India-Uzbekistan proposal. The kingdom has been investing heavily in football infrastructure, including stadium upgrades and new training facilities, as part of its broader sports strategy. The 2027 tournament will be the first major international football competition hosted entirely in Saudi Arabia.

The AFC has not yet released the full match schedule or venue list. However, preliminary reports suggest that matches will be played in cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and potentially new stadiums in emerging urban centres. The drinking water RFP is likely to cover all designated locations.

What this means for fans and stakeholders

For supporters planning to attend the Asian Cup, the RFP indicates that the AFC is on track with operational planning. The tender process typically takes several weeks, and a contract award is expected in the coming months. Once the water supplier is confirmed, the AFC will move to other procurement stages, including catering, accommodation, and transport.

The announcement also serves as a reminder that the tournament is now less than six months away. With the draw, ticketing, and travel packages still to be announced, the RFP is a behind‑the‑scenes milestone that keeps the project on schedule.

Source: Asian Football Confederation – https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/tenders.html/news/rfp-for-provision-of-the-supply-and-delivery-of-drinking-water