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Saudi Pro League

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Saudi Pro League
Organising bodySaudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF)
Founded(1974; 50 years ago (1974) Categorization League) (1976; 48 years ago (1976) Premier League) (2008; 16 years ago (2008) Pro League)
CountrySaudi Arabia
ConfederationAFC
Number of clubs18 (since 2023–24)
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toFD League
Domestic cup(s)King's Cup
Saudi Super Cup
International cup(s)AFC Champions League Elite
AFC Champions League Two [a]
Arab Club Champions Cup
Current championsAl-Hilal (19th title)
(2023–24)
Most championshipsAl-Hilal (19 titles)
Most appearancesMohamed Al-Deayea (406)
Top goalscorerMajed Abdullah (189)
TV partnersShahid and SSC
Sponsor(s)Roshn
Websitespl.com.sa
Current: 2024–25 Saudi Pro League

The Saudi Pro League (SPL),[b] known as the Roshn Saudi League (RSL)[c] for sponsorship reasons, is the highest division of association football in the Saudi league system.

The first season of competition was the 1976–77 season.[1] The league had been operating as a round-robin tournament from its inaugural season until the 1989–90 season, after that the Saudi Federation decided to merge the football League with the King's Cup in one tournament and the addition of the Golden Box. The Golden Box would be an end of season knockout competition played between the top four teams of the regular league season. These teams would play at a semi-final stage to crown the champions of Saudi Arabia. The league reverted to a round-robin system in the 2007–08 season.

The association is also regularly ranked with the highest coefficient in Asia due to the successful and consistent performances in the AFC Champions League Elite, Asian Super Cup & Asian Cup Winners' Cup by its clubs. Al-Hilal is the most successful team, holding 19 titles in its history and most recently winning the title in 2023–24. Al-Shabab, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr are also some of the most successful teams in the league.

Beginning in 2023, the league started experiencing widespread international exposure due to attracting numerous top level players from European leagues through financially lucrative contracts, immediately becoming a star-studded league. The nation's Public Investment Fund took 75% stakes in four founding members (Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr) in the same year as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 program.

History

[edit]

Up until the late 1950s, football in Saudi Arabia was organized on a regional basis under the Saudi Regional Leagues, with the King's Cup being the only nationwide tournament. In 1957, the first qualification process consolidated the regional tournaments of the Central, West, East, and North regions. Clubs competed in their regional leagues to qualify for the King's Cup, which was the final stage of the competition. The winner of the King's Cup was not the league winner.[2]

In 1974, a one-time league was founded to end the regional leagues and decide which clubs would play in the upcoming Premier and first division leagues, the league was the Categorization League, 1976–77 season saw the start of the first-ever Premier League in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with eight teams, the following season the number of clubs increased to ten. The 1981–82 season saw the merger of both the Saudi Premier League and the Saudi First Division for that season exclusively to the concern of the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification process. Twenty teams were divided into two groups, A and B. The top two in each group would enter a semi-final stage to determine the overall champions. In the following season which reverted to regular round-robin competition, the number of first-division clubs was later increased to 12 in the 1984–85 season.[citation needed]

In December 1990, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation decided to merge the league with the King's Cup in one tournament, it was decided to revamp local competitions and introduce professional football. A new league championship was formed called "The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques League Cup", which was a two-stage championship. The first stage was a regular double round-robin league competition with the top 4 qualifying for the final knockout stage, called the golden box. Clubs were allowed to sign players on a professional basis making the league semi-professional. This system lasted for seventeen seasons before reverting to a regular round-robin competition. The league became fully professional in 2007,[3] the league has always been the best league in Asia and is nicknamed the Premier League of Asia. 

As of 2024, depending on the nation's coefficient, three teams from Saudi Arabia qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite annually. This includes the top three positions of the league, the winner of the King's Cup qualify for the AFC Champions League Two. If the winner of the King's Cup is also among the top three teams then the fourth-best team qualifies for the AFC Champions League Two.


Saudi Football Revolution (2023)

[edit]
Cristiano Ronaldo with Al Nassr in 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 202324 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

[edit]

From the 2009–10 season until the 2012–13 season, the league was sponsored by Zain Group and was known as "Zain league", From the 2013–14 season until the 2017–18 season, Abdul Latif Jameel was the sponsor and the league was known as "Jameel league", from the 2018–19 season until the 2021–22 season major restructuring of Saudi football, under which the league's name reverted to the "Saudi Pro League", From the 2022–23 season, for a five-year period, the sponsor of the league is Roshn and the league is known as "Roshn League".

Sponsorship names

[edit]
  • 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 format

[edit]

Competition

[edit]
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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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.

Current clubs

[edit]

Stadiums

[edit]
Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Team Location Stadium Capacity
Al-Ahli Jeddah King Abdullah Sports City 62,345
Al-Ettifaq Dammam Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium 15,000[18]
Al-Fateh Al-Mubarraz Al-Fateh Stadium 12,000[19]
Al-Fayha Al Majma'ah Al Majma'ah Sports City 7,000
Al-Hilal Riyadh Kingdom Arena 26,000
Al-Ittihad Jeddah King Abdullah Sports City 62,345
Al-Khaleej Dammam (Saihat) Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium 35,000
Al-Kholood Ar Rass Al-Hazem Club Stadium 8,000[20]
Al-Nassr Riyadh Al-Awwal Park 25,000
Al-Okhdood Najran Prince Hathloul bin Abdul Aziz Sports City 12,000[21]
Al-Orobah Sakakah Al-Jawf University Stadium 8,500[22]
Al-Qadsiah Khobar Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium 15,000[23]
Al-Raed Buraidah King Abdullah Sport City Stadium 25,000
Al-Riyadh Riyadh Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium 15,000[24]
Al-Shabab Riyadh Al-Shabab Club Stadium 15,000
Al-Taawoun Buraidah King Abdullah Sport City Stadium 25,000
5,961
Al-Wehda Mecca King Abdul Aziz Stadium 38,000
Damac Khamis Mushait Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium (Abha)
Damac Club Stadium
20,000
5,000

Personnel and kits

[edit]
Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Main sponsor Other sponsors
Al-Ahli Germany Matthias Jaissle Ivory Coast Franck Kessié Adidas Red Sea Global
List
Al-Ettifaq England Steven Gerrard Netherlands 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 Sweden Jens Gustafsson Saudi Arabia 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 Greece Christos Kontis Saudi Arabia Sami Al-Khaibari Skillano Basic Electronics Company
List
    • Front: Tameeni Insurance
    • Back: Al Romaih Investment
    • Sleeves: Morabaha Marina Financing Company
    • Shorts: None
Al-Hilal Portugal Jorge Jesus Saudi Arabia Salem Al-Dawsari Puma Savvy Games Group
List
Al-Ittihad France Laurent Blanc France Karim Benzema Nike Roshn
List
Al-Khaleej Greece Georgios Donis Portugal 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 Algeria Noureddine Zekri Brazil 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 Italy Stefano Pioli Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo Adidas KAFD
List
Al-Okhdood Croatia Stjepan Tomas Saudi Arabia Hussain Al-Zabdani Skillano Yelo Rent a Car
List
    • Front: Tameeni Insurance
    • Back: Mezaj Maghribhi
    • Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company
    • Shorts: None
Al-Orobah Portugal Álvaro Pacheco Saudi Arabia Hamed Al-Maghati Hattrick Arrow Modern Future
List
    • Front: Tameeni Insurance
    • Back: Al Jouf Cement
    • Sleeves: None
    • Shorts: None
Al-Qadsiah Spain Míchel Spain Nacho Nike Aloula Aviation
List
    • Front: Almajdouie Genesis, Almana Hospital
    • Back: None
    • Sleeves: Saudi Geophysical
    • Shorts: None
Al-Raed Brazil Odair Hellmann Morocco 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 France Sabri Lamouchi Saudi Arabia Abdullah Al-Khaibri Black Panther Science Technology
List
    • Front: Tameeni Insurance
    • Back: Stars Smile
    • Sleeves: None
    • Shorts: None
Al-Shabab Portugal Vítor Pereira Belgium Yannick Carrasco Offside Theeb Rent A Car
List
    • Front: Tameeni Insurance
    • Back: None
    • Sleeves: None
    • Shorts: None
Al-Taawoun Argentina Rodolfo Arruabarrena Netherlands 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 Germany Josef Zinnbauer Saudi Arabia Waleed Bakshween Offside Yelo Rent A Car
List
    • Front: Tameeni Insurance
    • Back: Ntam, Makkah Medical Center
    • Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company
    • Shorts: None
Damac Romania Cosmin Contra Algeria Farouk Chafaï Skillano Basic Electronics Company
List
    • Front: Osoul Poultry, Tameeni Insurance
    • Back: Tadawi Clinic
    • Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company, Lateen Water
    • Shorts: None

Champions

[edit]

List of champions

[edit]
No Season Champion Runners-Up
Categorization League
C 1974–75 Al-Nassr Al-Hilal
Saudi Premier League
1975–76 Canceled
1 1976–77 Al-Hilal Al-Nassr
2 1977–78 Al-Ahli Al-Nassr
3 1978–79 Al-Hilal Al-Nassr
4 1979–80 Al-Nassr Al-Hilal
5 1980–81 Al-Nassr Al-Hilal
6 1981–82 Al-Ittihad Al-Shabab
7 1982–83 Al-Ettifaq Al-Hilal
8 1983–84 Al-Ahli Al-Ittihad
9 1984–85 Al-Hilal Al-Shabab
10 1985–86 Al-Hilal Al-Ittihad
11 1986–87 Al-Ettifaq Al-Hilal
12 1987–88 Al-Hilal Al-Ettifaq
13 1988–89 Al-Nassr Al-Shabab
14 1989–90 Al-Hilal Al-Ahli
15 1990–91 Al-Shabab Al-Nassr
16 1991–92 Al-Shabab Al-Ettifaq
17 1992–93 Al-Shabab Al-Hilal
18 1993–94 Al-Nassr Al-Riyadh
19 1994–95 Al-Nassr Al-Hilal
20 1995–96 Al-Hilal Al-Ahli
21 1996–97 Al-Ittihad Al-Hilal
22 1997–98 Al-Hilal Al-Shabab
23 1998–99 Al-Ittihad Al-Ahli
24 1999–00 Al-Ittihad Al-Ahli
25 2000–01 Al-Ittihad Al-Nassr
26 2001–02 Al-Hilal Al-Ittihad
27 2002–03 Al-Ittihad Al-Ahli
28 2003–04 Al-Shabab Al-Ittihad
29 2004–05 Al-Hilal Al-Shabab
30 2005–06 Al-Shabab Al-Hilal
31 2006–07 Al-Ittihad Al-Hilal
32 2007–08 Al-Hilal Al-Ittihad
Saudi Pro League
33 2008–09 Al-Ittihad Al-Hilal
34 2009–10 Al-Hilal Al-Ittihad
35 2010–11 Al-Hilal Al-Ittihad
36 2011–12 Al-Shabab Al-Ahli
37 2012–13 Al-Fateh Al-Hilal
38 2013–14 Al-Nassr Al-Hilal
39 2014–15 Al-Nassr Al-Ahli
40 2015–16 Al-Ahli Al-Hilal
41 2016–17 Al-Hilal Al-Ahli
42 2017–18 Al-Hilal Al-Ahli
43 2018–19 Al-Nassr Al-Hilal
44 2019–20 Al-Hilal Al-Nassr
45 2020–21 Al-Hilal Al-Shabab
46 2021–22 Al-Hilal Al-Ittihad
47 2022–23 Al-Ittihad Al-Nassr
48 2023–24 Al-Hilal Al-Nassr

Performance by club

[edit]
# Club Winners Runners-up
1 Al-Hilal
19
13
2 Al-Ittihad
9
8
3 Al-Nassr
9
8
4 Al-Shabab
6
6
5 Al-Ahli
3
9
6 Al-Ettifaq
2
3
7 Al-Fateh
1
0
8 Al-Riyadh
0
1

Total titles won by city

[edit]
City Number of titles Clubs
Riyadh
34
Al-Hilal (19), Al-Nassr (9), Al-Shabab (6)
Jeddah
12
Al-Ittihad (9), Al-Ahli (3)
Dammam
2
Al-Ettifaq (2)
Al-Ahsa
1
Al-Fateh (1)

League participation

[edit]

As of 2024, 39 clubs have participated in the Saudi football top division.

There have only been three clubs that haven’t been relegated,  Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad.

Note: The tallies below include up to the 2024–25 season. Teams denoted in bold are current participants.[citation needed]

Top scorers

[edit]

All-time top scorers

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

Boldface indicates a player still active in the Pro League.

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

Top scorers by season

[edit]
Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in the Museu CR7.
Season Nat. Top scorer(s) Club(s) Goals
1974–75 Saudi Arabia Mohammad S. Abdeli Al-Nassr 13
1976–77 Saudi Arabia Nasser Eid Al-Qadsiah 7
1977–78 Saudi Arabia Motamad Khojali Al-Ahli 14
1978–79 Saudi Arabia Majed Abdullah Al-Nassr 18
1979–80 Saudi Arabia Majed Abdullah Al-Nassr 17
1980–81 Saudi Arabia Majed Abdullah Al-Nassr 21
1981–82 Saudi Arabia Khalid Al-Ma'ajil Al-Shabab 22
1982–83 Saudi Arabia Majed Abdullah Al-Nassr 14
1983–84 Saudi Arabia Hussam Abu Dawood Al-Ahli 14
1984–85 Saudi Arabia Hathal Al-Dosari Al-Hilal 15
1985–86 Saudi Arabia Majed Abdullah Al-Nassr 15
1986–87 Saudi Arabia Mohammad Suwaidi Al-Ittihad 17
1987–88 Saudi Arabia Khalid Al-Ma'ajil Al-Shabab 12
1988–89 Saudi Arabia Majed Abdullah Al-Nassr 19
1989–90 Saudi Arabia Sami Al-Jaber Al-Hilal 16
1990–91 Saudi Arabia Fahad Al-Mehallel Al-Shabab 20
1991–92 Saudi Arabia Saeed Al-Owairan Al-Shabab 16
1992–93 Saudi Arabia Sami Al-Jaber Al-Hilal 18
1993–94 Senegal Moussa N'Daw Al-Hilal 15
1994–95 Saudi Arabia Fahd Al-Hamdan Al-Riyadh 15
1995–96 Ghana Ohene Kennedy Al-Nassr 14
1996–97 Morocco Ahmed Bahja Al-Ittihad 21
1997–98 Saudi Arabia Sulaiman Al-Hadaithy Al-Najma 15
1998–99 Saudi Arabia Obeid Al-Dosari Al-Wehda 20
1999–00 Saudi Arabia Hamzah Idris Al-Ittihad 33
2000–01 Angola Paulo Silva Al-Ettifaq 13
2001–02 Brazil Sérgio Ricardo Al-Ittihad 16
2002–03 Ecuador Carlos Tenorio Al-Nassr 15
2003–04 Ghana
Ivory Coast
Godwin Attram
Kandia Traoré
Al-Shabab
Al-Hilal
15
2004–05 Senegal Mohammed Manga Al-Shabab 15
2005–06 Saudi Arabia Essa Al-Mehyani Al-Wehda 16
2006–07 Ghana Godwin Attram Al-Shabab 13
2007–08 Saudi Arabia Nasser Al-Shamrani Al-Shabab 18
2008–09 Saudi Arabia
Morocco
Nasser Al-Shamrani
Hicham Aboucherouane
Al-Shabab
Al-Ittihad
12
2009–10 Saudi Arabia Mohammad Al-Shalhoub Al-Hilal 12
2010–11 Saudi Arabia Nasser Al-Shamrani Al-Shabab 17
2011–12 Saudi Arabia
Brazil
Nasser Al-Shamrani
Victor Simões
Al-Shabab
Al-Ahli
21
2012–13 United Arab Emirates Sebastián Tagliabué Al-Shabab 19
2013–14 Saudi Arabia Nasser Al-Shamrani Al-Hilal 21
2014–15 Syria Omar Al-Somah Al-Ahli 22
2015–16 Syria Omar Al-Somah Al-Ahli 27
2016–17 Syria Omar Al-Somah Al-Ahli 24
2017–18 Chile Ronnie Fernández Al-Fayha 13
2018–19 Morocco Abderrazak Hamdallah Al-Nassr 34
2019–20 Morocco Abderrazak Hamdallah Al-Nassr 29
2020–21 France Bafétimbi Gomis Al-Hilal 24
2021–22 Nigeria Odion Ighalo Al-Hilal 24
2022–23 Morocco Abderrazak Hamdallah Al-Ittihad 21
2023–24 Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo Al-Nassr 35


Players Records

[edit]

Broadcasters

[edit]
As of 20 October 2024
Country Broadcaster Ref.
 Middle East and North Africa Shahid (Streaming)
Saudi Sports Company (SSC)
[27]
 Austria DAZN [28]
 Belgium
 Canada
 Germany
 Ireland
 United Kingdom
 Australia 10 Play [29]
Balkans Sport Klub [27]
 Brazil Paramount+
Canal GOAT
Rede Bandeirantes
Caribbean DSports
South America
 China Bilibili
Migu TV
Tencent
Zhibo8
 France Canal+ [30]
 Greece Cosmote Sport [27]
 Hungary Spíler TV [31]
 India Sony Sports Network [32]
 Italy La7
Sportitalia
 Israel Sport 5
 Japan Abema
 Myanmar Sky Net [33]
 Portugal Sport TV [34]
 Romania Prima Sport [35]
 South Korea SPOTV [36]
 Hong Kong
South East Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa StarTimes Sports [37]
 Spain Marca.com [38]
 Turkey S Sport [39]
TV8.5
 United States Fox Sports [40]
 Vietnam VieON [41]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ King's Cup Winners or league fourth placed team. If the cup winner finishes in the top 3 in the Saudi Pro League, which means they will go to the AFC Champions League Elite, the slot goes to the fourth placed team in the table
  2. ^ Arabic: دوري المحترفين السعودي; The logo also used "MBS" as an abbreviation for the MBS Pro League (Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Professional League) until the 2021–22 season.
  3. ^ Arabic: دوري روشن السعودي; Dawri Rushan as-Suʿūdī

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Live Scores – Clubs: Al Hilalclub_hint=Al Nassr". FIFA. Archived from the original on 1 August 2009.
  2. ^ Amin Sawati. موسوعة تاريخ الحركة الرياضية في المملكة العربية السع ودية: بمناسبة مرور مائة عام على تأسيس المملكة العربية السعودية. مدينة الطيبات العالمية للعلوم والمعرفة،. ISBN 9789960351148.
  3. ^ "Morocco's Abderrazak Hamdallah breaks scoring record in Saudi Arabia". BBC Sport. 19 April 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  4. ^ Woodyatt, Amy; Shveda, Krystina; Cubero, Antonio Jarne; CNN (20 September 2023). "Saudi Arabia is trying to disrupt soccer's world order. The reasons why might surprise you". CNN. Retrieved 5 October 2024. {{cite web}}: |last4= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ "Neymar, the latest star of the Saudi Pro League, the new order of soccer". MARCA. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  6. ^ Walid, Ahmed (5 June 2023). "PIF to take control of Saudi Arabia's four biggest clubs as part of major shake-up in Pro League". The Athletic. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  7. ^ a b Michaelson, Ruth (26 July 2023). "Revealed: Saudi Arabia's $6bn spend on 'sportswashing'". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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