Roshn Saudi League
The Saudi Professional League is the premier football competition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is considered one of the most prominent tournaments in the Middle East. It is also known as the "Pro League," featuring several major clubs such as Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad, among others. Clubs compete annually to win the championship and claim the prestigious title.
On the field, league champion Al Hilal made football history and captured global headlines by setting a record for consecutive wins, achieving 34 victories in a row across all competitions and securing the league title without a single defeat.
As for Cristiano Ronaldo, he continued to shine in 2023, recording the highest number of goals among club players worldwide with 54 goals in 59 matches, setting the record for the most goals in a single season. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner made his debut for Al Nassr in January 2023 and went on to score 35 goals in 31 matches during the 2023-2024 Saudi Pro League season — a season that witnessed a total of 909 goals, marking a 40% increase compared to the previous season.
The season kicked off with a number of major international signings such as Karim Benzema, Neymar, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mané, N'Golo Kanté, Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrović, Rúben Neves, and others, attracting a total of 156 players from 54 countries. In an effort to develop young Saudi talents to compete at the global level, the league lowered the minimum participation age from 18 to 16 years old, coinciding with a drop in the average player age this season to 27.5 years.
Championship system
- Participants in the competitionThe Saudi League features 16 teams competing across 30 rounds during the season. Each team plays 15 matches at home and 15 matches away.
- Points systemA team earns 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. If two teams are tied on points, the clubs are ranked based on goal difference, and then by goals scored if necessary.
- The seasonThe season usually starts in August and ends in May of the following year. There is a winter break between December and January for rest and pause.
Qualification for international competitions
- AFC Champions LeagueThe top four teams in the Saudi League qualify to participate in the AFC Champions League, the largest club competition in Asia.
- AFC CupClubs that finish in the middle positions may qualify to participate in the AFC Cup.
Relegation and promotion.
- Relegation.The team that finishes in the 14th and 15th positions in the league standings will be relegated to the Saudi First Division League.
- PromotionThe team that finishes in first place in the Saudi First Division League will be directly promoted to the Roshn Saudi Pro League.
The most prominent clubs in the league.
- Saudi CrescentAl Hilal is one of the biggest clubs in Saudi Arabia and Asia. It has won the Saudi Pro League (Roshen Saudi League) multiple times and enjoys a large fan base across the Gulf region.
- Saudi victoryAl Nassr Saudi Club has a strong squad and is one of the most successful clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
- الأهلي السعودي: رغم بعض التحديات، يعتبر الأهلي من الأندية الكبرى في المملكة وله تاريخ طويل من النجاح في البطولات المحلية.
- الاتحاد السعودي: نادي الاتحاد معروف بتاريخه العريق وشعبية جماهيرية واسعة، وهو من الأندية التي تنافس على المراتب الأولى في كل موسم.
Foreign stars in the Saudi League
The Roshan Saudi Pro League has seen the attraction of many global stars in recent years. In the 2022/2023 season, Saudi clubs signed several major stars, such as:
- Cristiano RonaldoCristiano Ronaldo signed with Al Nassr in a historic deal, becoming one of the standout players in the Saudi Pro League.
- NeymarNeymar joined Al Hilal in a huge transfer, boosting the appeal of the Saudi Pro League.
- BenzemaKarim Benzema signed with Al Ittihad, adding more excitement to the competition in the league.
Prize Money
The Saudi Pro League offers significant financial rewards for participating clubs, which helps attract top players and coaches. In recent years, broadcasting revenues and sponsorship rights have increased significantly, reflecting the rapid growth of the competition.
Technology in the Saudi League
- Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technologySince 2019, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology has been implemented in the Saudi Pro League to assist referees in making accurate decisions. It is consistently used in important matches to review contentious situations such as goals, penalties, and offsides.
Football development in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen its position as a sports powerhouse in the Middle East and Asia. The country is investing heavily in the infrastructure of clubs and stadiums, as well as in academies and training programs to improve the technical level of local teams.
Other Domestic Competitions
- Saudi King's CupIt is one of the major domestic competitions in which Saudi clubs participate, and the winner is determined through knockout matches.
- Saudi Crown Prince CupAnother competition in which major clubs compete, and it is considered one of the important tournaments in the Kingdom.
The cultural and media impact
- Saudi League It receives a large following in Saudi Arabia and Arab countries, with matches widely broadcasted on Saudi sports channels as well as on international sports networks.
