This summer's transfer window has seen the rise of the Saudi Pro League.
Known as the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) for sponsorship reasons, the division has seen several high-profile players join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East, and it is quickly becoming one of football's biggest talking points.
Brazillian superstar Neymar Jr is the latest world-renowned footballer to leave Europe in favour of a move to Saudi Arabia after he signed with Al-Hilal on a two-year contract that could see him earn a reported $300m (£235.4m).
DAZN recently secured the rights to broadcast the league's matches for a two-year period on a multi-territory basis, which will undoubtedly continue to raise the profile of the rapidly rising division.
Football FanCast brings you the lowdown of all the latest information and news regarding the competition.
What teams are in the Saudi Pro League?
The Saudi Pro League expanded to 18 teams this season. But realistically, only four sides have a real chance of winning the title.
Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli are all owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), who are also the majority owners of Newcastle United.
Most of the European footballers who have left the continent to join the RSL this summer are plying their trade at one of the aforementioned sides, which appears to have enlarged the gulf in quality between them and the other 14 teams.
Below is a table displaying all 18 participating teams, along with their star players and managers.
Team |
Manager |
Star Player |
---|---|---|
Abha |
Yousef Al-Mannai |
Grzegorz Krychowiak |
Al-Ahli |
Matthias Jaissle |
Riyad Mahrez |
Al-Ettifaq |
Steven Gerrard |
Jordan Henderson |
Al-Fateh |
Slaven Bilić |
Jason Denayer |
Al-Fayha |
Vuk Rašović |
Fashion Sakala |
Al-Hazem |
Jose Daniel Carreno |
Toze |
Al-Hilal |
Jorge Jesus |
Neymar |
Al-Ittihad |
Nuno Espírito Santo |
Karim Benzema |
Al-Khaleej |
Pedro Emanuel |
Fabio Martins |
Al-Nassr |
Luis Castro |
Cristiano Ronaldo |
Al-Okhdood |
Jorge Mendonca |
Florin Tanase |
Al-Raed |
Igor Jovićevic |
Karim El Berkaoui |
Al-Riyadh |
Odair Hellmann |
Didier Ndong |
Al-Shabab |
Igor Biscan |
Ever Banega |
Al-Taawoun |
Péricles Chamusca |
Alvaro Medran |
Al-Tai FC |
Laurențiu Reghecampf |
Virgil Misidjan |
Al-Wehda |
Georgios Donis |
Odion Ighalo |
Damac |
Cosmin Contra |
Georges-Kevin N'Koudou |
How does the Saudi Pro League work?
Each of the 18 teams play a total of 34 matches throughout the season. Like the Premier League, the sides face each other twice, both home and away.
Promotions and relegations exist between the Saudi Pro League and the Saudi First Division League. The bottom three teams in the Pro League will be relegated to the second tier, whilst the top three-placed teams in the second tier will be promoted to the top flight.
The top two sides will automatically qualify for the group stages of the AFC Champions League, whilst the third-placed team will qualify for the competition's play-offs.
If, however, one of the top three wins the King Cup - Saudi Arabia's main domestic cup competition - the fourth-best team will also qualify for the play-offs. Like the UEFA Champions League, it is undergoing a format change in 2024/25.
Which team has won the most Saudi Pro League titles?
The Saudi Pro League was founded in 1976, and was initially made up of eight teams. Al-Hilal were the first champions of the competition after finishing two points clear of runners-up Al-Nassr. The inaugural campaign saw teams play just 14 matches.
Now, the division has expanded to 18 sides and is littered with a plethora of high-profile European footballers, which is a far cry from what it once was.
Throughout its 47-year history, there have been seven different winners - here's how the numbers rack up:
Winners |
Titles |
---|---|
Al-Hilal |
18 |
Al-Ittihad |
9 |
Al-Nassr |
8 |
Al-Shabab |
6 |
Al-Ettifaq |
2 |
Al-Ahli |
3 |
Al-Fateh |
1 |
What are the biggest rivalries in the Saudi Pro League?
There are three games in the Saudi Pro League that are traditionally colossal affairs.
The 'Saudi El Clasico' between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad has developed into a hotly anticipated fixture as the two teams with the most titles collide. The former resides in the capital city of Riyadh whilst the latter are based in the Red Sea port of Jeddah.
Riyadh and Jeddah are the two largest cities in Saudi Arabia, so the two clubs have naturally often fought against each other for the league title over the years.
Unsurprisingly, the head-to-head meetings have seen Al-Hilal come out on top more often than not, with 47 wins to Al-Ittihad's 28.
The next meeting between the pair will take place on 7th March 2024 at Al-Hilal's King Fahd International Stadium, which also hosts international fixtures involving Saudi Arabia, with its previous tenants including Al-Shabab and Al-Nassr.
The Riyadh derby between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr is also a huge game in that particular region, whilst Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, who are both based in Jeddah, is also a big fixture.
Which players have joined the Saudi Pro League?
This summer's transfer window has been one of the craziest yet. And that is largely due to the number of prominent European-based footballers leaving the continent to join the Saudi Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, joined the RSL at the end of 2022, and it appears that transfer was the catalyst for a number of high-calibre players to follow suit.
Al-Hilal signed Neymar Jr from Paris Saint-Germain for a fee believed to be in the region of €100m (£85.2m), whilst the likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Ruben Neves, amongst many others, have also joined the division.
Al-Hilal also made a speculative effort to try and sign French forward Kylian Mbappé by submitting a £259m bid, but he reportedly rejected the proposal and looks set to stay in Paris, at least for another year.
Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrović was one of the latest big names to join the RSL after Al-Hilal secured his services for a fee believed to be in the region of £50m.
Mitrović joined with Moroccan World Cup hero Yassine Bounou, who also recently penned a deal at the Riyadh-based club, whilst former Atalanta centre-back Merih Demiral left Serie A to sign with Al-Ahli, who are spearheaded by Mahrez and Firmino.
21-year-old Gabri Veiga has joined Demiral at Al-Ahli after he completed a €36m (£30.9m) move from LaLiga side Celta Vigo. The promising youngster had interest from multiple sides in the Premier League and in Europe but opted to make the switch to the Middle East.
What are the latest Saudi Pro League results?
Al-Hilal extended their lead at the summit of the table to four points after defeating the star-studded Al-Ahli 3-1, whilst Ronaldo's Al-Nassr moved into second after securing an away victory against eighth-placed Al-Fayha.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Al-Ittihad were held to a score draw against relegation-threatened Al-Hazem despite Benzema opening the scoring with his fifth goal of the campaign.
Saudi Pro League Results: Gameweek 11 |
||
---|---|---|
Al-Khaleej |
1-1 |
Al-Taawoun |
Damac |
2-0 |
Al-Okhdood |
Al-Ittihad |
2-2 |
Al-Hazem |
Al-Raed |
1-2 |
Al-Fateh |
Al-Tai |
3-2 |
Al-Riyadh |
Al-Hilal |
3-1 |
Al-Ahli |
Abha |
2-1 |
Al-Shabab |
Al-Fayha |
1-3 |
Al-Nassr |
Al-Wehda |
2-3 |
Al-Ettifaq |
Here's how the current standings lie after 11 games:
# |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Al-Hilal |
11 |
9 |
2 |
0 |
30 |
8 |
29 |
2 |
Al-Nassr |
11 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
31 |
14 |
25 |
3 |
Al-Taawoun |
11 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
21 |
9 |
24 |
4 |
Al-Fateh |
11 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
28 |
17 |
23 |
5 |
Al-Ahli |
11 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
21 |
17 |
22 |
6 |
Al-Ittihad |
11 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
21 |
9 |
21 |
7 |
Al-Ettifaq |
11 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
19 |
14 |
20 |
8 |
Al-Fayha |
11 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
12 |
11 |
14 |
9 |
Damac |
11 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
18 |
17 |
13 |
10 |
Al-Wehda |
11 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
20 |
23 |
13 |
11 |
Al-Shabab |
11 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
14 |
19 |
12 |
12 |
Al-Riyadh |
11 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
11 |
24 |
11 |
13 |
Al-Khaleej |
11 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
10 |
16 |
10 |
14 |
Abha |
11 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
10 |
21 |
10 |
15 |
Al-Tai |
11 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
10 |
21 |
10 |
16 |
Al-Okhdood |
11 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
6 |
16 |
7 |
17 |
Al-Hazem |
11 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
13 |
28 |
7 |
18 |
Al-Raed |
11 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
10 |
21 |
5 |
Who are the current top scorers in the Saudi Pro League?
Ronaldo remains top of the goalscoring charts despite blanking in his side's 3-1 victory against Al-Fayha whilst his teammate, Talisca, earned much of the plaudits thanks to his brace.
Former Fulham forward Mitrovic continued his impressive start to life at Al-Hilal after netting his eighth league goal of the season, taking his tally to 12 across all competitions.
Player |
Team |
Goals |
---|---|---|
Cristiano Ronaldo |
Al-Nassr |
11 |
Aleksandar Mitrovic |
Al-Hilal |
8 |
Talisca |
Al-Nassr |
8 |
Mourad Batna |
Al-Fateh |
7 |
Moussa Dembélé |
Al-Ettifaq |
7 |
Malcom |
Al-Hilal |
6 |
Sadio Mané |
Al-Nassr |
6 |
Georges-Kevin N'Koudou |
Damac |
6 |
Salem Al-Dawsari |
Al-Hilal |
6 |
Cristian Tello |
Al-Fateh |
6 |
What are the next Saudi Pro League fixtures?
Matchweek 12 commences on Friday, 3rd November with the league leaders Al-Hilal making the trip to Al-Fateh, who reside in fourth.
Al-Nassr resume action on Saturday as they host 13th-placed Al-Khaleej whilst Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq face the struggling Al-Raed.
Sunday's action sees title hopefuls Al-Ahli welcome Al-Riyadh in the final fixture of the weekend.
Next fixtures (UK times):
Saudi Pro League Fixtures: Gameweek 12 |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Al-Tai |
vs |
Al-Fayha |
Friday 3rd November, 3pm |
Al-Fateh |
vs |
Al-Hilal |
Friday 3rd November, 3pm |
Al-Shabab |
vs |
Al-Ittihad |
Friday 3rd November, 6pm |
Abha |
vs |
Al-Okhdood |
Saturday 4th November, 3pm |
Al-Ettifaq |
vs |
Al-Raed |
Saturday 4th November, 6pm |
Al-Nassr |
vs |
Al-Khaleej |
Saturday 4th November, 6pm |
Al-Taawoun |
vs |
Damac |
Sunday 5th November, 3pm |
Al-Hazem |
vs |
Al-Wehda |
Sunday 5th November, 3pm |
Al-Ahli |
vs |
Al-Riyadh |
Sunday 5th November, 6pm |