Saudi Arabia has given the green light for all family members, including women, to attend sporting events at three stadiums from the start of 2018, the nation's General Sports Authority (GSA) announced at a press conference in Riyadh late on Sunday.

The GSA said the stadiums would allow whole families to attend as spectators, thereby ending a blanket ban on women at sporting events.

The move comes one month after the nation lifted a longstanding ban on women driving.

"It has been decided to prepare three stadiums, King Fahd International Stadium in Ryadh, King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, and Prince Mohammad bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, to be ready for family entrance, according to regulations, starting from the year 2018," a statement from the GSA's chief read.

The three stadiums are home to six football teams in the Saudi Professional League, and women will be allowed to attend matches when those teams play at home.

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