(MENAFN- Arab News) World cup football matches shown on large television screens in the balad area have become a major attraction for many citizens and expatriates at night

The matches have added festivity to an area that was just recently declared a world heritage site by the united nations educational scientific and cultural organization (unesco)

The area is packed with fans heading to the matches and people visiting because of the recently launched "ramadan kunna kida" festival launched under the auspices of jeddah gov. prince mishal bin majed

Fans packed out venues here on monday night to watch the match between algeria and germany on large television screens installed exclusively for world cup matches in ramadan

Mansur ali jafri a saudi youth told arab news: 'it was extremely pleasurable to spend ramadan in balad watching the game.

Hasnain guda an egyptian expatriate said he preferred to watch world cup matches in the balad area instead of going to a restaurant to do so

The festival will end on ramadan 19 and start again on eid for four days. it is expected to draw huge crowds said zaki hassanain chief organizer of the event

One of the main attractions of the area is the traditional hijazi food on sale at night during the holy month.