Saudi Third Division
Football league
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Saudi Third Division, is a football league, the fourth tier of the Saudi Arabian football league system.[1]
| Organising body | Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 |
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of clubs | 40 (since 2023–24) |
| Level on pyramid | 4 |
| Promotion to | Saudi Second Division League |
| Relegation to | Saudi Fourth Division |
| Current champions | Al-Qala (1st title) (2024–25) |
| Most championships | Al-Okhdood Al-Safa (2 titles each) |
| Broadcaster(s) | SAFF+ |
| Website | saff |
| Current: 2025–26 Saudi Third Division | |
History
The competition was created in 1996 and took up the old format of the Saudi Second Division. The first phase of competition was a group stage with teams divided into geographical locations based on the provinces of Saudi Arabia. The second phase was a knockout round tournament, with the group winners and runners-up taking part.
On 9 October 2020, the Saudi FF announced a new format for the Third Division starting from the 2021–22 season. The competition would consist of 32 teams divided into 4 groups, with the group winners earning promotion to the Saudi Second Division League.[2] Al-Suqoor, now known as Neom, were the first champions of the new format.[3]
During the 2023–24 season, the number of teams participating was increased to 40 teams.[4]
Competition format
The 4 group winners would get promoted to the Saudi Second Division. The bottom 4 teams are relegated to the Fourth Division.
Champions
Old Format (1997–2021)
- No third place play-off was played in 2017–18 and 2020–21; losing semi-finalists are listed in alphabetical order.
New Format (2021–)
Performance by club
| Club | Titles | Winning years |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Okhdood | 2 | 2003–04, 2017–18 |
| Al-Safa | 2 | 2010–11, 2018–19 |
| Al-Orobah | 1 | 1996–97 |
| Al-Hazem | 1 | 1997–98 |
| Abha | 1 | 1998–99 |
| Al-Oyoon | 1 | 1999–2000 |
| Al-Adalah | 1 | 2000–01 |
| Al-Arabi | 1 | 2001–02 |
| Al-Watani | 1 | 2002–03 |
| Jeddah | 1 | 2004–05 |
| Al-Noor | 1 | 2005–06 |
| Hetten | 1 | 2006–07 |
| Al-Qaisumah | 1 | 2007–08 |
| Najd | 1 | 2008–09 |
| Al-Taqadom | 1 | 2009–10 |
| Al-Tuhami | 1 | 2011–12 |
| Al-Nojoom | 1 | 2012–13 |
| Al-Muzahimiyyah | 1 | 2013–14 |
| Al-Jabalain | 1 | 2014–15 |
| Al-Ain | 1 | 2015–16 |
| Al-Kholood | 1 | 2016–17 |
| Al-Saqer | 1 | 2020–21 |
| Al-Suqoor | 1 | 2021–22 |
| Mudhar | 1 | 2022–23 |
| Al-Ula | 1 | 2023–24 |
| Al-Qala | 1 | 2024–25 |
Top scorers
Broadcasters
Since the 2024–25 season
| Country | Broadcaster | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
Worldwide |