The Saudi Pro League (SPL), also known as the Roshn Saudi League for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional football league in Saudi Arabia, recognized as the premier football competition in Asia. Established in 1976, it features 18 clubs competing in a round-robin format from August to May, with the champion earning a title and qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite, while the bottom three teams face relegation. The league has a rich history, evolving from regional tournaments and the King’s Cup to a fully professional system since 2007, with Al-Hilal holding a record 19 titles.
Since 2023, the SPL has gained global attention due to significant investments from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which acquired 75% stakes in top clubs Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. This financial backing has attracted world-class stars, starting with **Cristiano Ronaldo**, whose 2023 move to Al-Nassr sparked a “revolution” in Asian football. Other prominent players include **Neymar** (Al-Hilal), **Karim Benzema** (Al-Ittihad), **Sadio Mané** (Al-Nassr), **Riyad Mahrez** (Al-Ahli), **N’Golo Kanté** (Al-Ittihad), **Rúben Neves** (Al-Hilal), and **Allan Saint-Maximin** (Al-Ahli), significantly boosting the league’s profile.
The 2024-25 season saw Al-Ittihad as the reigning champions, with Al-Hilal dominating historically. Recent highlights include Al-Hilal’s unbeaten 2023-24 season and Ronaldo’s record-breaking 35 goals, earning him the Golden Boot. The league recorded 909 goals in 2023-24, a 40% increase from the previous season, reflecting its growing competitiveness. However, challenges remain, such as concerns over the league’s two-tier structure due to uneven investment and the reliance on veteran stars, with some like Benzema facing speculation about potential exits.
With passionate fan support, vibrant tifos, and increasing global broadcasts, the SPL aims to be among the world’s top leagues by 2030, leveraging its star power and infrastructure development ahead of the 2034 World Cup.
Riyad Mahrez is in awe of “extraordinary” Saudi Pro League rival Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Al-Ahli star admitting it “isn’t easy” to be CR7.
Marc Cucurella has been linked with Al-Nassr but is considered unlikely to leave Chelsea, according to the the latest reporting.
New footage has emerged of Joao Felix training with Al-Nassr, despite still technically being a Chelsea player.
Joao Felix's next chapter comes with an enormous financial incentive in Saudi Arabia with the forward more than doubling his Chelsea salary.
Rafa Yuste could swap Barcelona for Saudi Arabia, with Al-Nassr pushing to make the vice-president their new CEO in a high-stakes move.
Joao Felix has been heavily criticised for agreeing to join Al-Nassr from Chelsea, with an agent labelling the attacker a "money-printing machine".
Details of Cristiano Ronaldo's reported role in Joao Felix's move from Chelsea to Al-Nassr have been revealed.
Cristiano Ronaldo wants Al-Nassr to pursue a move for Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr side have reportedly made an offer for Manchester United's Brazilian winger Antony.
