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.
Presnel Kimpembe, PSG's loyal defender, is ending his 20-year saga with the French giants, drawn to Qatar's allure after rejecting Saudi Pro League bids
In a thrilling twist, Robert Lewandowski rejected a massive €100m bid from Saudi powerhouses like Al-Nassr, prioritizing loyalty to Barcelona and sidestepping a potential Ronaldo duo
Robert Lewandowski snubbed a staggering €100 million Saudi offer, prioritizing Barcelona over joining forces with Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch
Casemiro boldly rejected Al-Nassr's tempting offer to remain at Manchester United, chasing his 2026 World Cup glory as Brazil's vital force
Sensational scoop: Andre Onana, Manchester United's sidelined keeper, eyes a thrilling escape to Trabzonspor, defying the closed Premier League window!
Rasmus Hojlund's thrilling move to Napoli is celebrated as an "exciting choice", drawing praise after his Manchester United departure
Liverpool legend John Aldridge urges Manchester United's Ruben Amorim to strip Bruno Fernandes of the captaincy, labeling his on-pitch antics as "childish"
Ex-Chelsea and Barcelona sensation Joao Felix thanks compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo for igniting his epic move to Al-Nassr. He's dazzling in the Middle East, scoring a spectacular hat-trick in Al-Nassr's debut Saudi Pro League win over Al-Tawoun after European hurdles
Neal Maupay's transfer hopes shatter spectacularly as a high-stakes Greek deal collapses, casting doubt on his Marseille tenure under Roberto De Zerbi
