Al‑Ittihad’s Digital Platforms Generate Over 500 Million Interactions During the 2025 Arab Cup Campaign

Arab Cup 2025: Al-Ittihad‘s digital footprint Sets Records as Team Finishes runner-up

In a landmark surge of Arab Cup digital engagement, Al-Ittihad’s online platforms delivered record-breaking numbers as the club secured a runner-up finish. The campaign showed how a extensive digital strategy can amplify fan interaction across multiple channels.

Breaking the Web: the numbers behind the surge

During the tournament, Al-Ittihad’s digital ecosystem generated more than half a billion communications and upwards of 20 million fan interactions. The output included over 1,500 media items-ranging from news and photos to video clips and comic stories-and behind‑the‑scenes access from matches and training sessions.

Platform-by-platform snapshot

The club’s social and digital assets posted notable gains across major channels, driven by a multi-format content approach and consistent fan engagement.

Platform	Followers / Subscribers	Views / Interactions	key Growth
Instagram	1.13 million	375 million views; 12 million interactions	237k new followers during the tournament (≈26.5% growth)
Facebook	870,000	102 million views; 5 million interactions	96k new followers (≈12.4% growth)
YouTube	300,000+ subscribers	10 million+ views	Steady audience expansion for long-form content
X (formerly Twitter)	–	7 million accesses; 2 million views	High-speed updates and real-time engagement
Official app & website	–	8 million visits & interactions	Unified hub for news, fixtures and exclusive behind-the-scenes

Evergreen insights: why this matters beyond the Arab Cup

The Al-ittihad case illustrates how a cohesive digital strategy can transform fan experiences. Key takeaways include the value of multi-channel storytelling, timely behind‑the‑scenes access, and data-driven content planning that adapts to what fans crave in real time. Clubs that prioritize diverse formats-from short clips to in-depth features-can sustain engagement long after a tournament ends, building lasting loyalty and expanding their global footprint.

What this means for fans and clubs

For fans,the campaign demonstrates the power of accessible,behind‑the‑scenes content and real-time updates that keep supporters connected across time zones. For clubs, the numbers highlight the importance of investing in cross‑platform content strategies, analytics, and community management to convert viewership into enduring support.

Reader questions:

Which platform do you prefer for following Al-Ittihad and why? What kind of behind‑the‑scenes content would you like to see more of in future campaigns?

Stay connected

Share this story to join the conversation and tell us your favorite moment from the Arab Cup campaign. Leave a comment below with your platform of choice and the content that most fuels your fandom.

5 M followers Live‑tweet threads, trending hashtags, GIF reactions #IttihadArabCup trended in 12 GCC countries TikTok 4.7 M followers Short‑form challenge videos, player duets “Goal‑Party Challenge” generated 45 M views

Interaction Breakdown (500 M+ Total)

Campaign Overview – 2025 Arab Cup Digital Activation

• Duration: 1 June - 15 July 2025 (tournament + pre‑campaign hype)
• Primary Goal: Amplify Al‑Ittihad’s brand reach, boost ticket sales, and drive sponsor visibility thru real‑time fan interaction.
• result: > 500 million digital interactions across owned, earned, and paid channels, according to the Al‑ittihad 2025 Digital Report.

Core Digital Platforms

Platform	Audience Reach	Interaction Types	Notable Feature
Official Mobile App	3.2 M downloads (Saudi & GCC)	In‑app polls, live‑match commentary, AR‑powered player cards	“Match‑day AR Badge” that unlocked exclusive video highlights
website & Microsite	12 M pageviews	Live stats, interactive heat‑maps, merchandise pop‑ups	Real‑time ticket‑sale countdown timer
YouTube Channel	1.8 M subscribers	Match recaps, behind‑the‑scenes, fan‑generated clips	360° stadium tour series
Facebook & Instagram	Combined 10 M followers	Stories, reels, carousel ads, fan‑shoutouts	“Fan‑of‑the‑Day” voting poll
Twitter/X	5.5 M followers	Live‑tweet threads, trending hashtags, GIF reactions	#IttihadArabCup trended in 12 GCC countries
TikTok	4.7 M followers	Short‑form challenge videos, player duets	“Goal‑Celebration Challenge” generated 45 M views

Interaction Breakdown (500 M+ Total)

1. Social Media Engagement – 312 M

• Likes, comments, shares, retweets, and TikTok duet creations.
• App & Website Activity – 138 M
• Poll responses, AR badge unlocks, ticket clicks, and live‑match chat entries.
• Video & Streaming views – 48 M
• youtube highlight reels,Instagram Reels,and Facebook Live streams.
• User‑Generated Content (UGC) – 22 M
• Fan‑submitted photos, video mash‑ups, and hashtag challenge submissions.

Data source: Al‑Ittihad Digital Performance Dashboard (Q2 2025) and third‑party analytics (SimilarWeb, Socialbakers).

Engagement Strategies That Drove the Numbers

• Hashtag‑Centric Campaign: #IttihadArabCup used across all platforms; each match day featured a unique sub‑hashtag (e.g., #IttihadSemiFinal) to segment conversations.
• Real‑Time Polling: In‑app polls asked fans to predict line‑ups, scorelines, and MVP. Results were displayed instantly on stadium LED boards,creating a feedback loop between digital and physical venues.
• AR Experiences: The mobile app’s AR badge unlocked exclusive video messages from star players when fans scanned the stadium QR code.
• Influencer Partnerships: Regional TikTok creators (e.g., @SaudiGoals) co‑produced “Goal‑Celebration Challenge” videos, driving cross‑platform virality.
• Sponsored Live streams: Saudi Telecom partnered on a custom YouTube Live overlay, featuring in‑stream polls and sponsor‑branded mini‑games.

Performance Metrics Dashboard

• Average Session Duration (App): 4 min 32 sec (↑ 27 % YoY)
• Engagement Rate (Instagram Reels): 12.5 % (industry benchmark ≈ 4 %)
• hashtag Reach (Twitter): 98 M impressions in the first 72 h of the semi‑final match
• Conversion Rate (Ticket Links): 3.8 % (resulting in 210 k additional tickets sold)
• Revenue Attribution: Digital‑driven merchandise sales rose 18 % vs. 2024 Arab Cup, equating to ≈ SAR 6.2 M in incremental revenue.

benefits for Sponsors & Partners

• Amplified Brand Visibility: Sponsors appeared on 250 M+ fan‑viewed assets (AR badges, live‑stream overlays, UGC duets).
• Data Richness: Real‑time interaction data enabled precise audience segmentation for targeted ad buys.
• Enhanced ROI: Cost‑per‑engagement (CPE) fell to SAR 0.12, 35 % lower than the 2024 benchmark.

practical Tips for Replicating This Success

1. Integrate a Unified Hashtag Framework – Align primary and sub‑hashtags across every platform to aggregate data easily.
2. Leverage AR for Exclusive content – Even simple QR‑code triggers can deliver high‑value fan experiences without massive development costs.
3. activate Influencers Early – Secure creator partnerships before the tournament to pre‑seed challenge concepts and build momentum.
4. Tie Digital Actions to Physical Rewards – Offer stadium‑based perks (e.g., priority entry, merch discounts) for completing in‑app actions.
5. Implement Real‑Time Analytics – Use a live dashboard to monitor spikes and adjust content pacing on the fly.

real‑World Example: #IttihadVictory tweet Thread

• Date: 12 July 2025 (Quarter‑final)
• Format: Thread of 7 tweets, each paired with a GIF of the winning goal, a fan poll, and a sponsor CTA.
• Results:
• 4.1 M retweets (↑ 310 % vs. average match tweet)
• 2.9 M likes
• 1.2 M poll participants, generating a 2.5 % uplift in sponsor coupon redemptions.

Future Outlook – Scaling Beyond the Arab Cup

• Cross‑Tournament Playbooks: Al‑Ittihad plans to adapt the 2025 digital framework for the 2026 AFC Champions League, targeting 750 M global interactions.
• AI‑driven Personalization: pilot a suggestion engine within the mobile app to suggest highlight reels based on individual fan behavior.
• Metaverse Fan Zones: Early talks with Saudi Vision 2030 partners to create a virtual stadium lounge where fans can interact with 3D avatars of players.

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all figures are drawn from Al‑Ittihad’s official 2025 digital Report, autonomous analytics providers (SimilarWeb, Socialbakers), and sponsor performance summaries released in July 2025.