Saudi Arabia to allow women attend sporting events inside stadiums

Women in Saudi Arabia will be for the first time allowed to attend sporting events inside stadiums, alongside men.

Starting early 2018, women will be allowed into three arenas in major cities, CNN reported, citing a statement issued by the General Sport Authority, Saudi Arabia's governing body for sports.

The previously male-only venues of King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah, and Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam will begin preparations to "accommodate families," the statement said.

The development is being seen as a part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious reforms to modernise Saudi society and boost the economy.

The stadiums that have been chosen for this important decision are the biggest and most significant ones in the country as they are home to six teams in the Saudi Professional League.

Also, two of the three stadiums included have the highest seating capacity in the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia, which was the only country in the world to forbid female drivers, recently also allowed women to drive in the country.