The 2023/24 Saudi Pro League is set to captivate football enthusiasts with an unprecedented level of player recruitment and a vision to elevate the league’s global status. From the presence of renowned players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, and Steven Gerrard to the league’s expansion to 18 teams, this season promises to be one of the most intriguing in Saudi Arabia’s football history.
Overview of the Saudi Pro League: Established in 1976, the Saudi Pro League is the premier football league in Saudi Arabia. The league is backed by Roshn, a real estate division of the Public Investment Fund, serving as its title sponsor since the previous year.
Historic Success and Leading Teams: Al Hilal holds the record for the most titles, boasting 18 championships. Al Ittihad, the reigning champions, along with Al Nassr, share the second spot with nine titles each. Al Shabab and Al Ahli have six and three titles respectively, while Al Ettifaq and Al Fateh have two and one titles each.
Unique Aspects of the 2023/24 Season: This season stands out due to significant investments in the Saudi Pro League. The league has witnessed an unparalleled spending spree on player recruitment, with high-profile names like Benzema, Kante, Firmino, Neves, and Milinkovic-Savic joining Ronaldo, who signed with Al Nassr last December. The Saudi government’s Sports Clubs Investment and Privatisation Project, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to attract private investment to the sports sector and position the Saudi Pro League as a top 10 football league globally.
As part of this initiative, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has acquired a 75% stake in the league’s four leading clubs: Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli. The project aims to raise the league’s annual revenue from 450 million Saudi riyals ($120 million) to over 1.8 billion riyals, while also increasing the Pro League’s market value from 3 billion riyals to more than 8 billion riyals by 2030.
Season Schedule and Format: The 2023/24 Saudi Pro League will commence on August 11 and run until May, with a break from December 30 to February 15 to accommodate the rescheduled 2023 Asian Cup in Qatar. The league has expanded from 16 teams in the previous season to 18 teams now. This includes the top 14 clubs from the 2022/23 campaign and four promoted teams from the second tier.
Each team will play a total of 34 matches – a home and away fixture against each opponent. Matchdays primarily fall between Thursday and Saturday, although the opening matchday will feature games on Sunday and Monday. Additionally, Matchday 4 and Matchday 6 will have matches spread over multiple days.
Ticket Prices and Attendances: Match ticket prices range from SAR10 to SAR100 ($2.70-$27) for general access, while VIP tickets range from SAR100 to SAR1,000. The Saudi Pro League ranks among the best-attended leagues in Asia, experiencing a 150% increase in attendance in the past year. Official figures reported a total attendance of 2,249,161, with champions Al Ittihad averaging 40,400 spectators for home matches.
Stadium capacities vary, from 5,000 at the Damac Club Stadium to a capacity of 62,500 at Hilal’s King Fadh International Stadium.
Foreign Player Quota: Each team is allowed to register a maximum of eight foreign players, consistent with the previous season. This quota remains unchanged for the 2023/24 season.
The 2023/24 Saudi Pro League holds immense promise, with its remarkable player acquisitions, ambitious initiatives, and a commitment to raising the league’s profile on the global football stage. Football enthusiasts can look forward to an exhilarating season filled with star-studded matches and fierce competition.
