Saudi Pro League

Saudi Football Revolution (2023–)

The Saudi Pro League made international headlines in 2023 due to many players from other leagues, particularly those in Europe, transferring to clubs for the 2023–24 season. A record-breaking transfer window took place ahead of the 2023–24 season; Saudi Pro League clubs spent close to $1 billion, acquiring 94 overseas players from Europe’s major leagues. These leagues include France’s Ligue 1, Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga and the English Premier League, according to Deloitte.^[4] According to Spanish publication Marca the league has "shaken up the European transfer market".^[5]

The nation's Public Investment Fund took 75% stakes in four founding members (Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr) in June 2023 as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 program.^[6] These actions have been criticised by many sporting journalists and human rights activists, who have described the transfers as part of a sportswashing scheme by the Saudi government.^[7][8]

Cristiano Ronaldo was the first star signing to the league, with the BBC deeming that he led this "revolution" in Asian football.^[9] Upon his move to Al-Hilal, Neymar also credited Ronaldo for the immediate transformation of the league.^[10] Other players who joined the league include Ballon d'Or-holder Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, Roberto Firmino, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez and Jordan Henderson.^[7][11]

Sponsorship names

• No sponsorship (1976–2008)
• Zain Saudi League (2009–2013)
• Abdul Latif Jameel League (2014–2017)
• No sponsorship (2018–2021)
• Roshn Saudi League (2022–present)

(Sources^{[12] [13][14] [15]})

Competition

As of the 2024–25 Season

There are 18 clubs in the Saudi Pro League. During the course of a season (usually from August to May) each club plays the other clubs twice (a double round-robin system), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for 34 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by position on the league table depending on points, then the head-to-head record between the tied teams is taken into consideration, and then goal difference, Each club can have a total of 30 players, 10 foreigners. 8 of them can be any age, and 2 must be under 20 at the time of signing. 20 Saudi players 15 of them can be of any age, and 5 can be called up from the youth sector if needed or wanted. For each league game, managers can select 8 of the 10 foreigners to be included in the squad.

Promotion and relegation

A system of promotion and relegation exists between the Saudi Pro League and Saudi First Division League. The three lowest-placed teams in the Saudi Pro League are relegated to the First Division, in the first division the top two teams are promoted to the Pro League directly, a play-off system^[16] to determine the third team to be promoted alongside the two. Teams placed between third and sixth position take part in the promotion play-offs. The fifth-placed would face the fourth, while the sixth-placed team would face the third. The final would be single-legged, hosted by the higher-placed team.

Format History

This section does not cite any sources. (November 2024)

League Format (1974–2007)

In 1974–75, the Saudi football league was known as the Categorization League. This league was introduced to replace the previously existing regional leagues and to determine which teams would play in the Premier League and which would compete in the First Division. The Categorization League had 16 teams, divided into two groups. Only two teams from each group advanced to a decisive final match to determine the champion.

From 1975–76, the league transitioned to a round-robin format during the regular season, where each team played home and away matches against all other teams. The league typically operated with 10 to 12 teams during this period, though the number of teams fluctuated slightly from season to season.

In 1981–82, the league underwent a significant change: it was merged with the First Division to create a single 20-team league for that season. This merger was driven by concerns over World Cup qualifying, as Saudi Arabia sought to strengthen its domestic competition and provide more opportunities for players to develop ahead of international fixtures. After this one-off expansion, the league returned to its usual structure with 10 to 12 teams.

In December 1990, the Saudi Football Federation decided to merge the Saudi Premier League with the King's Cup competition into a unified single tournament. This merger led to the introduction of the playoff system (locally known as the "Golden Box" or "Golden Four"), which would feature the top 4 teams of the regular league season competing in a knockout competition to determine the overall champion. The playoff system served as an end-of-season competition, adding an extra layer of excitement to the league.

In the 1991–92 season, the Saudi Premier League formally implemented the playoff system. The league still used the round-robin format during the regular season, but after that, the top 4 teams advanced to the playoffs, which were held to determine the champion. The playoff system meant that even if a team finished first in the regular season, they still had to win the knockout rounds (including semi-finals and final) to be crowned champion.

League Format (2007–Present)

In 2006–07, the playoff system was still in use, with the top 4 teams advancing to knockout rounds to decide the champion. Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal finished at the top of the table, but the playoff system decided the final winner. This was the last season the playoff system was used.

In 2007–08, the league switched to the traditional format, where the team finishing first in the regular season was crowned champion, and the playoffs were abolished. This system continued in the Saudi Pro League from 2008–09 onward. Al-Hilal won the title in 2007–08 after finishing tied with Al-Ittihad on 48 points. The title was decided by the head-to-head record, where Al-Hilal had the better result against Al-Ittihad.

In 2008–09, the league was rebranded as the Saudi Pro League^[17] (SPL). This rebranding formalized the shift to a traditional system where the top team in the regular season is crowned champion, and the playoffs were abolished. The rebranding also meant that the statistics and titles from the Saudi Premier League (1974–2007) were considered separate from those of the newly established Saudi Pro League. This mirrors the situation in the English Premier League (established in 1992), where records and titles are kept separate from the former Football League First Division.

Following the rebranding, the league underwent significant changes. From 2010–11 to 2017–18, the league expanded to 14 teams, continuing with the round-robin format. Then, from 2018–19 to 2022–23, the league grew again to 16 teams. Finally, in the 2023–24 season, the Saudi Pro League expanded to 18 teams.

Stadiums

Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.

Personnel and kits

More information Team, Manager ...

Team	Manager	Captain	Kit manufacturer	Main sponsor	Other sponsors
Al-Ahli	Matthias Jaissle	Franck Kessié	Adidas	Red Sea Global	List Front: Saudi Investment Recycling Company, Neoleap Back: Urpay, Kayanee Sleeves: None Shorts: Vveyon Water
Al-Ettifaq	Steven Gerrard	Georginio Wijnaldum	Adidas	Kammelna	List Front: Hongqi, Aldyar Alarabiya, Tameeni Insurance Back: Procare Riaya Hospital, Innosoft Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company, Direct KSA Shorts: None
Al-Fateh	Jens Gustafsson	Mohammed Al-Fuhaid	100°	Theeb Rent A Car	List Front: Fuchsia Bakery, Tameeni Insurance Back: Tamweel Aloula Sleeves: Ratio Speciality Coffee Shorts: None
Al-Fayha	Christos Kontis	Sami Al-Khaibari	Skillano	Basic Electronics Company	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: Al Romaih Investment Sleeves: Morabaha Marina Financing Company Shorts: None
Al-Hilal	Jorge Jesus	Salem Al-Dawsari	Puma	Savvy Games Group	List Front: Jahez, Flynas Back: Riyad Bank, Saudi Entertainment Ventures Sleeves: Tree Digital Insurance Agency, Sanabil Investments Shorts: None
Al-Ittihad	Laurent Blanc	Karim Benzema	Nike	Roshn	List Front: SURJ Sports Investment, Flow Progressive Logistics Back: Milaf Al Madinah Heritage, Jamjoom Pharma Sleeves: None Shorts: Yaqoot
Al-Khaleej	Georgios Donis	Fábio Martins	Laser	Yelo Rent a Car	List Front: Fisher Electronics, Tameeni Insurance, Almana Hospital Back: Shemagh Al Bassam, Florina Shoes, Candy Sleeves: Locate Food Delivery App, Saudi Qaid Transport Company Shorts: Sayyar
Al-Kholood	Noureddine Zekri	Marcelo Grohe	Renown	Yelo Rent a Car	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: Mezaj Maghribhi, Florina Shoes, Elba Cookers Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company Shorts: None
Al-Nassr	Stefano Pioli	Cristiano Ronaldo	Adidas	KAFD	List Front: AROYA Cruises, Gathern Back: None Sleeves: Noug Shorts: None
Al-Okhdood	Stjepan Tomas	Hussain Al-Zabdani	Skillano	Yelo Rent a Car	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: Mezaj Maghribhi Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company Shorts: None
Al-Orobah	Álvaro Pacheco	Hamed Al-Maghati	Hattrick	Arrow Modern Future	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: Al Jouf Cement Sleeves: None Shorts: None
Al-Qadsiah	Míchel	Nacho	Nike	Aloula Aviation	List Front: Almajdouie Genesis, Almana Hospital Back: None Sleeves: Saudi Geophysical Shorts: None
Al-Raed	Odair Hellmann	Mohamed Fouzair	Challenge	Dinar Investment	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: Al Qassim National Hospital Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company, Direct KSA Shorts: None
Al-Riyadh	Sabri Lamouchi	Abdullah Al-Khaibri	Black Panther	Science Technology	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: Stars Smile Sleeves: None Shorts: None
Al-Shabab	Vítor Pereira	Yannick Carrasco	Offside	Theeb Rent A Car	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: None Sleeves: None Shorts: None
Al-Taawoun	Rodolfo Arruabarrena	Aschraf El Mahdioui	Macron	Aldyar Alarabiya	List Front: Gree Electric, Dr Tooth Clinics Back: Al Dahayan Aluminum Panel Factory, Al Saif Trading Agencies Sleeves: Direct KSA, Duvet Mattresses Shorts: None
Al-Wehda	Josef Zinnbauer	Waleed Bakshween	Offside	Yelo Rent A Car	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: Ntam, Makkah Medical Center Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company Shorts: None
Damac	Cosmin Contra	Farouk Chafaï	Skillano	Basic Electronics Company	List Front: Osoul Poultry, Tameeni Insurance Back: Tadawi Clinic Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company, Lateen Water Shorts: None

Close

List of champions

Total titles won by city

All-time top scorers

As of matches played 30 November 2024^[25][26]

Boldface indicates a player still active in the Pro League.

More information Rank, Player ...

Rank	Player	Goals	Apps	Ratio	First	Last	Club(s)
1	Majed Abdullah	189	194	0.97	1977	1997	Al-Nassr
2	Nasser Al-Shamrani	167	301	0.55	2003	2019	Al-Wehda, Al-Shabab, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad
3	Omar Al-Somah	144	180	0.80	2014	2022	Al-Ahli
4	Abderrazak Hamdallah	135	144	0.93	2018	2024	Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Shabab
5	Fahd Al-Hamdan	120	252	0.48	1984	2000	Al-Riyadh
6	Yasser Al-Qahtani	112	206	0.54	2000	2018	Al-Qadsiah, Al-Hilal
7	Mohammad Al-Sahlawi	111	257	0.43	2005	2022	Al-Qadsiah, Al-Nassr, Al-Shabab, Al-Taawoun
8	Sami Al-Jaber	101	268	0.38	1988	2007	Al-Hilal
9	Hamzah Idris	96	–	–	1992	2007	Ohod, Al-Ittihad
10	Obeid Al-Dosari	91	–	–	1996	2005	Al-Wehda, Al-Ahli

Close

Top scorers by season

Season	Nat.	Top scorer(s)	Club(s)	Goals
1974–75		Mohammad S. Abdeli	Al-Nassr	13
1976–77		Nasser Eid	Al-Qadsiah	7
1977–78		Motamad Khojali	Al-Ahli	14
1978–79		Majed Abdullah	Al-Nassr	18
1979–80		Majed Abdullah	Al-Nassr	17
1980–81		Majed Abdullah	Al-Nassr	21
1981–82		Khalid Al-Ma'ajil	Al-Shabab	22
1982–83		Majed Abdullah	Al-Nassr	14
1983–84		Hussam Abu Dawood	Al-Ahli	14
1984–85		Hathal Al-Dosari	Al-Hilal	15
1985–86		Majed Abdullah	Al-Nassr	15
1986–87		Mohammad Suwaidi	Al-Ittihad	17
1987–88		Khalid Al-Ma'ajil	Al-Shabab	12
1988–89		Majed Abdullah	Al-Nassr	19
1989–90		Sami Al-Jaber	Al-Hilal	16
1990–91		Fahad Al-Mehallel	Al-Shabab	20
1991–92		Saeed Al-Owairan	Al-Shabab	16
1992–93		Sami Al-Jaber	Al-Hilal	18
1993–94		Moussa N'Daw	Al-Hilal	15
1994–95		Fahd Al-Hamdan	Al-Riyadh	15
1995–96		Ohene Kennedy	Al-Nassr	14
1996–97		Ahmed Bahja	Al-Ittihad	21
1997–98		Sulaiman Al-Hadaithy	Al-Najma	15
1998–99		Obeid Al-Dosari	Al-Wehda	20
1999–00		Hamzah Idris	Al-Ittihad	33
2000–01		Paulo Silva	Al-Ettifaq	13
2001–02		Sérgio Ricardo	Al-Ittihad	16
2002–03		Carlos Tenorio	Al-Nassr	15
2003–04		Godwin Attram Kandia Traoré	Al-Shabab Al-Hilal	15
2004–05		Mohammed Manga	Al-Shabab	15
2005–06		Essa Al-Mehyani	Al-Wehda	16
2006–07		Godwin Attram	Al-Shabab	13
2007–08		Nasser Al-Shamrani	Al-Shabab	18
2008–09		Nasser Al-Shamrani Hicham Aboucherouane	Al-Shabab Al-Ittihad	12
2009–10		Mohammad Al-Shalhoub	Al-Hilal	12
2010–11		Nasser Al-Shamrani	Al-Shabab	17
2011–12		Nasser Al-Shamrani Victor Simões	Al-Shabab Al-Ahli	21
2012–13		Sebastián Tagliabúe	Al-Shabab	19
2013–14		Nasser Al-Shamrani	Al-Hilal	21
2014–15		Omar Al-Somah	Al-Ahli	22
2015–16		Omar Al-Somah	Al-Ahli	27
2016–17		Omar Al-Somah	Al-Ahli	24
2017–18		Ronnie Fernández	Al-Fayha	13
2018–19		Abderrazak Hamdallah	Al-Nassr	34
2019–20		Abderrazak Hamdallah	Al-Nassr	29
2020–21		Bafétimbi Gomis	Al-Hilal	24
2021–22		Odion Ighalo	Al-Hilal	24
2022–23		Abderrazak Hamdallah	Al-Ittihad	21
2023–24		Cristiano Ronaldo	Al-Nassr	35