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.
Manchester United are reportedly "baffled" by the Saudi Pro League's renewed interest in their club captain Bruno Fernandes. Al-Ittihad are poised to make an eye-watering offer for Fernandes, that would see the Portuguese midfielder earn a staggering £33m ($45m) per year in wages if he moves to the Middle East.
Ivan Toney has launched a scathing attack on Saudi football chiefs over Al-Ahli's treatment ahead of the Super Cup final clash with Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
Patrice Evra backed Cristiano Ronaldo to make a sensational return to European football as he labelled his former Manchester United team-mate as a 'machine'. Ronaldo left Europe in November 2022 and joined Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr. The Portugal icon, who turned 40 earlier this year, recently signed a new lucrative two-year contract.
Kingsley Coman has faced criticism for his decision to sign a lucrative contract at Al-Nassr, but a former Arsenal and France player has defended him.
Sporting CP winger Francisco Trincao has turned down Al-Nassr’s lucrative offer, preferring to stay in Portugal over a move to Saudi Arabia.
Lucas Vazquez has not yet decided where his future lies, but the doors to a possible Cristiano Ronaldo reunion in Saudi Pro League remain open.
Al-Nassr have released their new home kit for the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season as Cristiano Ronaldo aims to pick up his first silverware with the club.
Robert Lewandowski's commitment to Barcelona has been reaffirmed by his agent, revealing he snubbed one of the biggest offers in football history.
Bruno Fernandes has revealed he always wanted to stay at Manchester United despite summer interest from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
