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.
Cristiano Ronaldo proved the ultimate lure for Inigo Martinez's move from Barcelona to Al-Nassr, with the defender praising their "enriching conversations" with the ageless Portuguese icon. At 40, Ronaldo's electrifying performance against Al-Ittihad highlights his unyielding dominance at the top
Karim Benzema and Laurent Blanc conceded that Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr proved utterly dominant, simply too "strong" for Al-Ittihad. The blockbuster Saudi clash delivered thrills, with Ronaldo and Sadio Mane scoring to overwhelm the defending champions in their own stadium
Cristiano Ronaldo triumphantly posted a defiant message online after Al-Nassr's electrifying win over Al-Ittihad. This epic showdown between Saudi football's titans was a fight for early dominance, with Ronaldo and Sadio Mane delivering the game-changing blows
John Stones commits to Manchester City, thrilling fans as Pep Guardiola's squad secures the England defender's key role before his contract expires this summer
Jose Mourinho, Benfica's savvy boss, has boldly shut down buzz about Karim Benzema's thrilling Euro return. He insists the 37-year-old icon is happy and excelling at Al-Ittihad, with no desire to leave Saudi Arabia despite his epic Real Madrid history
Bayern Munich electrified the transfer window with a stunning bid for Raheem Sterling, but the Chelsea star snubbed reuniting with Vincent Kompany, rejecting promises of trophies and Champions League triumph
Peter Krawietz, Jurgen Klopp's loyal Liverpool sidekick, has joined Red Bull as Head of Soccer Philosophy, reflecting on their glorious Merseyside reign with Champions League and Premier League conquests
Peter Krawietz, Jurgen Klopp's trusted ally at Liverpool, has excitingly joined Red Bull as Head of Soccer Philosophy. As he reflects, he celebrates their epic Merseyside triumphs, with Klopp clinching Champions League and Premier League glory
Lionel Messi's brilliance electrifies MLS with Inter Miami, crushing records as the Argentine icon. The eight-time Ballon d'Or genius first hits 35 goal contributions across seasons, starring with two goals and an assist in their 4-0 rout of New York City FC
