Saudi Pro League

Origins (1957–2022)

The origins of the Saudi top division league trace back to the establishment of the His Majesty's League in 1957, which lasted until 1974. It was succeeded by a single transitional season known as the 1974–75 Saudi Categorization League. Following that, the first official season of the Saudi Premier League was the 1976–77 season.

The league operated as a round-robin tournament from its inaugural season until the 1989–90 season. After that, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation merged the league with the King's Cup into a single competition, introducing the Golden Box format. This system featured an end-of-season knockout stage involving the top four teams from the regular league, who competed in semi-finals and a final to determine the national champion.

The round-robin format was reinstated in the 2007–08 season, and the league was rebranded as the Saudi Pro League in 2008. While the Saudi Pro League is a continuation of earlier league formats, its statistics and records are maintained separately, in a manner similar to how the English Premier League is considered distinct from the former Football League First Division.

Following the rebranding to the Saudi Pro League, the competition underwent several sponsorship-driven name changes, reflecting commercial partnerships with various organizations over the years. In addition to commercial titles, the league was also officially named in honor of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a period, recognizing his support and influence in the development of Saudi sports.^[5]

In 2019, the Saudi government, through the General Sports Authority (which was later transformed into the Ministry of Sport), launched the Sports Clubs Support Strategy, allocating over SAR 1.6 billion to improve governance, infrastructure, and fan engagement within the league.^[6]

In 2022, Saudi real estate firm Roshn, owned by the Public Investment Fund, signed the largest title sponsorship in the league's history: a 5‑year agreement worth SAR 478 million (≈ USD 127 million) that granted Roshn the naming rights. From the 2022–23 season onward, the Saudi Pro League was officially renamed the Roshn Saudi League under this deal.^[7]

Saudi football revolution (2023–)

In June 2023, the Public Investment Fund acquired 75% stakes in four major clubs—Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli—as part of Saudi Vision 2030.^[8] The aim of the initiative is to eliminate club debt, increase market value, and prepare teams for full privatization. The long-term goal is to sell clubs to both domestic and international investors.

The Saudi Pro League underwent a major transformation starting in 2023, following the high-profile signing of Cristiano Ronaldo by Al-Nassr. His move helped attract other global stars, including Neymar, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mané, and N'Golo Kanté, during a record-breaking transfer window in which clubs spent nearly $1 billion acquiring 94 players from Europe's top leagues.^[9][10]

This privatization effort began with Al-Kholood, originally owned by the Ministry of Sport, which became the first Saudi football club to be 100% foreign-owned after being sold to The Harburg Group, led by American businessman Ben Harburg, on 24 July 2025.^[11] Lower-division clubs such as Al-Ansar have also been privatized.

The sweeping reforms have drawn international attention and criticism, with some labeling the moves as sportswashing. In response, Saudis argue the investments are part of a broader effort to grow the sport and diversify the economy.^[12]

League reputation and competitiveness

Initially, the Saudi Pro League was perceived by some observers as a "retirement league" due to the influx of aging stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. However, the league has since demonstrated ambitions beyond marketing, aiming to become one of the top five leagues in the world. While the SPL has long been among the leading leagues in Asia, recent developments have significantly raised its international profile and competitive standard.

In 2023, several SPL-based players were part of the Ivory Coast squad that won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Franck Kessié, Seko Fofana, and Ghislain Konan all played key roles in the tournament while active in the Saudi league. Kessié notably scored the equaliser in the final, a 1–2 comeback win over Nigeria,^[13] highlighting the continued international impact of players competing in the SPL.

In addition to veteran players, the league has attracted younger talent, including João Félix.^[14][15] Brazilian goalkeeper Bento, and Italian-Argentine striker Mateo Retegui,^[16][17] signaling a broader strategic direction.

The increasing quality of domestic competition has been reflected in the continued international success of players active in the league. Aymeric Laporte was a central figure in Spain's victorious run at UEFA Euro 2024, winning the tournament while playing in the Saudi Pro League.^[18] Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo was the top scorer for Portugal during their victorious 2024–25 UEFA Nations League campaign, playing a pivotal role throughout the tournament and scoring in the final. The final was sealed by teammate Rúben Neves, who converted the decisive penalty in the shoot-out to secure the title.^[19] Both players were actively competing in the Saudi Pro League at the time, underscoring its growing competitiveness.

Other Saudi-based players also made notable contributions at Euro 2024, including N'Golo Kanté (France) and Nicolae Stanciu (Romania), further challenging the idea that the league lacks high-level competitiveness.

In 2025, Al-Hilal^[20] defeated Manchester City 4–3 and held Real Madrid^[21] to a 1–1 draw at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, results which drew international attention to the growing competitiveness of Saudi clubs.

Historical Documentation Project

Until the mid-2020s, historical records of Saudi football prior to the establishment of the top-tier league in 1976 were limited and often inconsistent. This lack of comprehensive documentation led to ongoing debates among fans and historians, particularly regarding the achievements and origins of early clubs and regional competitions.^[22]

In response to growing public interest and longstanding criticism, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) launched a multi-year national initiative to document the pre-1976 era of Saudi football, which began in 2023 and concluded in 2025. The project involved collaboration with local historians, journalists, and individuals who witnessed the sport's early development. Efforts included reviewing newspaper archives, collecting personal testimonies, and verifying historical records from club documents. The initiative was supported by FIFA and a panel of international experts specializing in sports history and archival research.

As a result of the project's findings, significant changes were made to the official historical records of Saudi football. The founding date of the Saudi top-tier league was revised from 1976 to 1957, acknowledging earlier league-style competitions that had previously been overlooked or classified differently. In addition, several domestic tournaments—including the King's Cup, Prince Faisal bin Fahd Cup, and early regional or lower-division leagues—were re-evaluated and formally incorporated into the official historical framework. All national cups and competitions from the pre-1976 era were reviewed under the project.

Some King's Cup titles from earlier decades were also reclassified as league titles, based on their structure and competitive format at the time. These revisions led to updates in the official title counts of several clubs, prompting renewed interest in the early history of Saudi football and altering longstanding narratives around club achievements and legacies. The findings were published in a comprehensive final report, which SAFF presented to media and football institutions in 2025.^[23]

Competition

As of the 2025–26 season

There are 18 clubs in the Saudi Pro League. During the course of a season (usually from August to May), each club plays every other club twice (a double round-robin system), once at their home stadium and once at their opponent's, for a total of 34 games. Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Teams are ranked on the league table based on points first, then head-to-head record in case of a tie, followed by goal difference.

Each club is allowed a maximum of 25 players, including up to 10 foreign players. Of these 10 foreign players, 8 can be of any age, and 2 must be under 20 years old at the time of signing. The remaining 15 players must be Saudi nationals, with a maximum of 5 players allowed to come from the youth sector if needed or wanted.

For each league game, managers can select up to 8 foreign players to be included in the matchday 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^[30] 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.

Stadium

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	Édouard Mendy	Adidas	Red Sea Global	List Front: Saudi Investment Recycling Company, Neoleap Back: Kayanee, Cenomi Sleeves: None Shorts: None
Al-Ettifaq	Saad Al-Shehri	Georginio Wijnaldum	Adidas	Kammelna	List Front: Aldyar Alarabiya, Hongqi, Tameeni Insurance Back: Procare Riaya Hospital, Innosoft, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company, Direct KSA Shorts: None
Al-Fateh	José Gomes	Mohammed Al-Fuhaid	100°	Theeb Rent A Car	List Front: Riyad Bank, Fuchsia Bakery, Tameeni Insurance Back: Tamweel Aloula Sleeves: Ratio Speciality Coffee Shorts: None
Al-Fayha	Pedro Emanuel	Sami Al-Khaibari	HH Sports	Basic Electronics Company	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: Al Romaih Investment Sleeves: Morabaha Marina Financing Company Shorts: None
Al-Hazem	Jalel Kadri	Abdulrahman Al-Dakheel	Right Away Sport	Yelo
Al-Hilal	Simone Inzaghi	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	Sérgio Conceição	Karim Benzema	Nike	Roshn	List Front: SURJ Sports Investment, Volkswagen, Flow Progressive Logistics Back: Milaf Al Madinah Heritage Sleeves: None Shorts: None
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	Des Buckingham	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-Najma	Mário Silva	Ziyad Al-Qahtani	Puma	Yelo	List Front: Shahad, Wooden Coffee Back: Sunchine Cars Showroom, Ramz Tea Sleeves: Al Qassim National Hospital Shorts: Raz Amwal
Al-Nassr	Jorge Jesus	Cristiano Ronaldo	Adidas	KAFD	List Front: Syndicate Holding Group, AROYA Cruises, Gathern Back: None Sleeves: Noug, DAZN Shorts: None
Al-Okhdood	Paulo Sérgio	Hussain Al-Zabdani	Skillano	Yelo Rent a Car	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: Mezaj Maghribhi Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company Shorts: None
Al-Qadsiah	Brendan Rodgers	Nacho	Nike	Aloula Aviation	List Front: Almajdouie Genesis, Almana Hospital Back: iz, Zoho Corporation, Sixt Sleeves: Saudi Geophysical Shorts: Batook Nova
Al-Riyadh	Javier Calleja	Abdullah Al-Khaibri	Black Panther	Science Technology	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: Stars Smile Sleeves: None Shorts: None
Al-Shabab	Imanol Alguacil	Yannick Carrasco	Offside	Theeb Rent A Car	List Front: Tameeni Insurance Back: None Sleeves: None Shorts: None
Al-Taawoun	Péricles Chamusca	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
Damac	Armando Evangelista	Farouk Chafaï	Skillano	Basic Electronics Company	List Front: Osoul Poultry, Tameeni Insurance Back: Tadawi Clinic Sleeves: Saudi Qaid Transport Company, Lateen Water Shorts: None
Neom	Christophe Galtier	Salman Al-Faraj	Puma	None	List Front: None Back: None Sleeves: None Shorts: None

Close

List of champions^[32][33][34]

Total league titles won (all eras)

Total titles won by city

Performance by league

All-time top scorers

As of matches played 14 March 2026^[36][37]

• Bold indicates a player still active in the Pro League.
• Note: This count includes only seasons from the inception of the Saudi Categorization League to the present day.

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	160	216	0.74	2014	2026	Al-Ahli, Al-Orobah, Al-Hazem
4	Abderrazak Hamdallah	155	175	0.89	2018	2026	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	Cristiano Ronaldo	95	99	0.97	2023	2026	Al-Nassr

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		Fahd 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		Hicham Aboucherouane Nasser Al-Shamrani	Al-Ittihad Al-Shabab	12
2009–10		Mohammad Al-Shalhoub	Al-Hilal	12
2010–11		Nasser Al-Shamrani	Al-Shabab	17
2011–12		Victor Simões Nasser Al-Shamrani	Al-Ahli Al-Shabab	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
2024–25		Cristiano Ronaldo	Al-Nassr	25

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