For supporters who travelled from across the Gulf for Khaleeji 27, the Haramain High Speed Railway turned the tournament into more than a stadium experience, letting them back their teams in Jeddah while also visiting Makkah and Madinah and exploring the city's tourist and heritage spots.

Some fans used gaps between matches to go to Makkah and perform Umrah; others stayed longer in Madinah to visit the Prophet's Mosque before heading back to Jeddah for the next game.

The train's speed, punctual timetable and simple procedures made it an easy way to move between the three cities, giving visitors more freedom to plan and make the most of their time in the Kingdom.

Jeddah's attractions also drew large numbers, led by Historic Jeddah with its alleys, markets, Hijazi architecture and rich heritage.

Linking the three cities allowed fans to fold football, religious visits, tourism and culture into a single trip. The tournament ends on October 6 with the Saudi-UAE final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.