Madrid derby draws big crowd in Jeddah for Spanish Super Cup semi-final

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 08: Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid faced off in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, bringing the Madrid derby to the Red Sea coast on Jan. 8.The match, staged as part of the tournament’s overseas format, turned the venue into a high-profile meeting point for Spanish football and Gulf-region fans.Saudi supporters filled the stands in large numbers, creating a lively atmosphere as they followed the rivalry between two of Spain’s biggest clubs.Spectators arrived early and packed the stadium, with chants and cheers underscoring the growing local appetite for marquee European fixtures hosted in the kingdom.The event highlighted Saudi Arabia’s continued role as a destination for major international sports showcases, particularly in football.With the Super Cup’s semi-final setting drawing strong attendance, Jeddah once again served as a regional hub for elite competition and large-scale matchday spectacle. (Footage by Ismael Adnan Yaqoob/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)