RIYADH — The highest bid so far for a special ticket to the Riyadh Season Cup match between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal All Stars and Paris Saint-Germain of France has been SR9.3 million ($2.48 million). The eagerly anticipated contest, which will see Top-A players from across the world, such as Messi, Neymar, Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo, competing live in Riyadh has gained enormous momentum as all tickets were sold out within hours two weeks ahead of the match. Turki Al-Sheikh, head of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), has launched an international auction for a special, privileged ticket called "Beyond Imagination" that allows its holder to meet the players and access the field. The auction started on January 9 with an opening price of SR1 million and will end on January 17, with the entire proceeds going to the Saudi National Platform for Charitable Work (Ehsan). Al-Sheikh said on Twitter on Tuesday that Saudi businessman Abdulaziz Baghlef had made the top offer of SR2.5 million for the ticket so far, and called on other bidders to show interest. Shortly afterward, Baghlef hiked his bid to SR3 million, saying on Twitter: "I am honored to raise my bid to SR3m ... thank you, your excellency, for this distinguished humanitarian initiative of Ehsan Charity Platform." Bidders kept raising their offers for the ticket. Saudi businessman Khalid Al-Musharraf initially offered SR7 million, and soon he raised his bid to SR9 million. However, Mohammed Al-Munajem, owner of Azom tech company, raised the bar by offering SR9.3 million. Additionally, he promised to give away electronic devices to orphans attending the match. The ticket holder will accompany Al-Sheikh to meet star players Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, and Neymar during the presentation ceremony following the game. A gala meal with the players, access to their locker room at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, and presenting the trophy are additional perks of the ticket.
