Saudi Pro League 2023-2024
Saudi Pro League:
The Saudi Pro League, known as the Roshn Saudi League for sponsorship reasons, is the highest division of association football in the Saudi league system. It has a rich history dating back to its inception in the 1976–77 season. Here is a summary of the key information and history of the Saudi Pro League:History:
- The league started in the 1976–77 season with eight teams and gradually expanded over the years.
- In the 1981–82 season, the Saudi Premier League and the Saudi First Division temporarily merged to facilitate the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification process, with 20 teams divided into two groups. The top two from each group would enter a semi-final stage to determine the champions.
- In December 1990, the league merged with the King Cup to create "The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques League Cup," featuring a two-stage championship. The first stage was a regular double round-robin league competition, and the top four teams advanced to the knockout stage, known as the Golden Box.
- The league became fully professional in 2007.
- As of 2008, four Saudi teams qualify for the AFC Champions League annually, depending on the nation's coefficient.
2023 Acquisitions from European Leagues:
- In 2023, the Saudi Pro League attracted international attention by signing numerous top-level players from European leagues.
- Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Riyad Mahrez, and Jordan Henderson joined Saudi clubs.
- The Saudi Vision 2030 program, with the Public Investment Fund taking 75% stakes in four founding members (Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Nassr), played a role in these acquisitions.
Sponsorship:
- The league has had various sponsors over the years, including Zain Group and Abdul Latif Jameel.
- In 2022, Roshn, a real estate division of the Public Investment Fund, became the league's sponsor.
Competition Format:
- The league consists of 18 clubs, and each club plays 34 games (a double round-robin system) from August to May.
- Teams earn three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss.
- Promotion and relegation exist between the Saudi Pro League and Saudi First Division League.
Current Teams (2023–24 Season):
- The league features 18 clubs from various cities in Saudi Arabia.
- Clubs include Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Shabab, Al-Ahli, Al-Ettifaq, Al-Fateh, Al-Riyadh, Al-Khaleej, Al-Okhdood, Al-Raed, Al-Taawoun, Al-Tai, Al-Wehda, Damac, Abha, Al-Hazem, and Al-Fayha.
Champions and Performance by Club:
- Al-Hilal is the most successful club with 18 league titles.
- Other successful clubs include Al-Ittihad, Al-Nassr, Al-Shabab, Al-Ahli, Al-Ettifaq, Al-Fateh, and Al-Riyadh.
Top Scorers:
- Some of the top scorers in the league's history include Majed Abdullah, Nasser Al-Shamrani, Omar Al Somah, and others.
Broadcasters:
- The league is broadcast internationally through various networks, including ssc sport. Shahid, DAZN, Canal+, Sport Klub, Fox Sports, StarTimes Sports, and more.
All
Home
Away
#
Club
M
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pt
1
w
w
d
w
w
30
3
0
98
22
76
93
2
w
w
d
d
w
26
4
3
99
40
59
82
3
l
w
w
d
w
17
8
7
61
33
28
59
4
l
d
w
d
w
16
11
7
51
35
16
59
5
l
l
d
w
l
15
6
12
60
54
6
51
6
d
d
l
w
l
12
9
13
57
55
2
45
7
l
w
d
w
l
11
11
11
41
34
7
44
8
▲
w
l
l
l
w
12
7
14
44
41
3
43
9
▼
w
d
d
d
l
10
11
12
41
51
-10
41
10
l
d
d
l
d
10
10
12
42
42
0
40
11
l
w
l
d
l
11
5
17
46
59
-13
38
12
d
l
d
l
l
9
10
13
34
41
-7
37
13
l
d
w
d
d
9
10
14
41
46
-5
37
14
▲
d
l
d
d
w
9
5
19
32
51
-19
32
15
▼
w
d
l
w
l
9
5
19
37
84
-47
32
16
▲
d
d
d
d
w
7
10
15
30
55
-25
31
17
▼
d
d
w
l
l
7
7
19
33
64
-31
28
18
d
l
d
l
w
4
12
17
33
73
-40
24
- Qualification for AFC Champions League - Elite league stage
- Qualification for the AFC Champions League - 2 group stage
- Relegation to FD League
- Qualification for the AFC Champions League - 2 group stage
- Relegation to FD League
Top Scorers
2
28
28
3
30
18
4
18
5
32
17
6
17
16
7
31
15
8
15
9
29
14
10
14