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.
David Alaba's agent has dismissed speculation suggesting the Real Madrid star could head to the Saudi Pro League this summer.
Following the appointment of Simone Inzaghi, Al-Hilal are targeting a new sporting director, with Paul Mitchell and Piero Ausilio the top candidates.
The Saudi Pro League's summer spending spree shows no signs of slowing down as Kingsley Coman is on the verge of a blockbuster move to Al-Nassr.
Darwin Nunez has shared a touching goodbye message to Liverpool after departing the club for Al-Hilal.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice, including a stunning team goal, to continue his scoring form for Al-Nassr against Spanish outfit Almeria in pre-season.
Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to be drawn into another Ballon d'Or debate, branding the prestigious accolade "fictitious".
Liverpool have confirmed that star striker Darwin Nunez has completed his transfer to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal. Nunez, who was linked with a move away from Anfield since the start of the summer transfer window, has secured a permanent move to Saudi Arabia. The Uruguayan forward, who joined the Reds in 2023 from Benfica for a whopping £64 million ($86m), spent just three years at the Merseyside club.
Former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho reminisced about his time at Anfield, while spilling details on his painful exit from the club, as he joined Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad in 2023. The Brazilian spent five years at the Merseyside club, where he won multiple trophies, including the Champions League in his maiden campaign and the Premier League title in the subsequent season.
Erik ten Hag says Cristiano Ronaldo was "never the problem" at Manchester United following the forward's pre-season hat-trick for Al-Nassr.
