The 2025 Italian Super Cup final between AC Milan and Inter Milan is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated derbies in years, and it's happening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Whether you're travelling to the Kingdom Al Salam Stadium or following from another stop on your travels, staying connected without inflated roaming charges makes the whole experience better.
Why This Super Cup Matters
This isn't just another pre-season friendly dressed up as silverware. Both Milan clubs arrive in good form, and the rivalry carries real weight when it's played on neutral ground with a trophy at stake. The 2023 final went to Inter after a tense 3-0, but Milan will be keen to settle scores. For travelling fans, it's a rare chance to watch the Derby della Madonnina in the Middle East, often with more affordable tickets than San Siro.
If you're flying in for the match, you'll likely need mobile data the moment you land. Riyadh isn't a city you can navigate casually without Google Maps, and you'll want WhatsApp working to coordinate with mates, check kick-off updates, or share videos when someone inevitably does something brilliant (or ridiculous). Switching on your UK network's roaming in Saudi Arabia can cost upwards of £6 per day, and that's before you've used a single megabyte.
Mobile Data in Saudi Arabia: What Actually Works
Saudi Arabia's mobile networks are solid in Riyadh, especially around major venues and hotels. Coverage from providers like STC and Mobily is reliable, but as a tourist you're not popping into a local shop to buy a contract. That's where short-term connectivity designed for travellers makes sense.
An eSIM gives you local data rates without the faff of finding a shop or swapping physical cards. You set it up before you fly using the rentnconnect app (available on iOS and Android), then activate it when you land. It works from as little as one day, so if you're only in Riyadh for the match and flying out the next morning, you're not paying for a week you won't use. Alternatively, if you're travelling as a group or want to connect a laptop or multiple devices, a mobile hotspot rental does the same job. You pick it up, switch it on, and everyone connects via WiFi. Both options are pay-as-you-go with no subscription, which suits short trips far better than monthly contracts.
What You'll Actually Use Data For
It's easy to underestimate how much you rely on your phone during a match trip. Beyond the obvious—live score apps, checking lineups, filming goals—you'll be using maps to find the stadium, translation apps if your Arabic is rusty, and ride-hailing apps like Uber or Careem to get back to your hotel. Riyadh's public transport isn't as tourist-friendly as London or Paris, so ride-hailing is often the most practical option, and that requires working mobile data.
Then there's the social element. You'll want to send photos to the group chat, post a story from your seat, or video call someone back home who's fuming they couldn't make it. Hotel WiFi is fine for emails, but it won't help you when you're lost in a taxi or trying to find the stadium entrance. Having your own connection means you're not hunting for hotspots or asking strangers for passwords at half-time.
Set It Up Before You Fly
The mistake most people make is sorting connectivity after they've landed. By then, you're in arrivals, your phone's searching for a network, and you're already behind. If you're using an eSIM, download the rentnconnect app on iOS or Android a day or two before departure. You'll install the profile while you're still on your home WiFi, then toggle it on once you're in Saudi Arabia. It takes about two minutes, and you're connected the second you step off the plane.
If you've rented a mobile hotspot, it'll arrive before you travel (or you'll collect it at the airport, depending on the service). Charge it the night before, switch it on when you land, and connect your phone, tablet, or laptop. It's particularly useful if you're travelling with family or friends who all need data but don't want to buy separate plans. One device, multiple connections, no arguments over who's used all the allowance.