Saudi Women Have Just Made History By Attending A Football Match In A Stadium For The First Time

A football match between Al Ahli and Al Batin in Jeddah on Friday has made history (and international headlines) for all the right reasons.

The match concluded with Al-Ahli crushing Al-Batin 5-0, but the real winners were the women in the stands

Female fans were allowed to attend football matches for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Arabian government announced the lifting of the ban late last year and as a result, women now be able to enjoyed Saudi Professional League matches.

And social media is loving it

23,898 fans attended today’s match in Jeddah, 4411 of them in the family section for the first time in Saudi football history https://t.co/lyoCPiY9Ss pic.twitter.com/lTsYgSZhQk

— Ahmed Al Omran (@ahmed) January 12, 2018

As we speak;Saudi women fans are entering soccer stadiums! This is more than women’s rights: today’s match between Al-Ahli and Al-Batin, and the ones to follow,are opportunities for families to come together and enjoy KSA’s national sport- soccer!I’m rooting for the ladies-enjoy!

— Fatimah S Baeshen (@FatimahSBaeshen) January 12, 2018

The stadiums have also been fitted with female prayer areas, restrooms and smoking areas

Women are making history in Jeddah today as #Saudi authorities for the first time allow them to enter a stadium to watch a football match ????????⚽️ pic.twitter.com/dpGf6cPDUE

— Patrick Galey???? (@patrickgaley) January 12, 2018

The stadium was divided into sections for families or just male-only crowds

As a #Saudi #woman passionate about #football I am happy, extremely proud & delighted that this is reality from today. https://t.co/nKj3SwlD8f

— Saudi Times (@NewsOnKSA) January 12, 2018

There are also separate entrances and parking lots for female spectators

This is great. Women of Saudi Arabia attending Jeddah stadium to watch a football match. #vision2030 https://t.co/DReIaZhsc0

— Maryam Manzoori (@MManzoori) January 12, 2018

The General Sports Authority is preparing the surrounding squares in the King Abdullah Sports City with food trucks and a number of sporting and social events to create a distinctive social environment for upcoming matches.