The 2024-25 Saudi Pro League, also known as the Roshn Saudi League, marks the 49th edition of this prestigious competition. Set to commence in late August, the season promises exciting developments and high-profile matchups. The Playbook will provide comprehensive coverage throughout the season.
Key League Details
Duration: The season will run from August 22, 2024, to May 2025, featuring 34 game weeks.
Magic Rounds: Special “Magic rounds” will showcase home team derbies across Saudi Arabia’s stadiums.
Defending Champions: Al-Hilal will defend their title, aiming for a 20th championship after clinching their 19th title last season.
New Teams: Al-Kholood, Al-Orobah, and Al-Qadsiah join the league as promoted clubs, replacing the relegated teams Abha, Al-Hazem, and Al-Tai.
Total Teams: 18 teams will compete, including the top 15 from the previous season and three promoted from the FD League.
Star Power: The league will once again feature superstars such as Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo. New additions include Moussa Diaby, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Nacho Fernandez.
Venues
Here are the venues and reported capacities for each team in the league:
Al Ahli (Jeddah): King Abdullah Sports City – 62,345
Al Ittihad (Jeddah): King Abdullah Sports City – 62,345
Al Wehda (Mecca): King Abdul Aziz Stadium – 38,000
Al Khaleej (Saihat): Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium – 35,000
Al Hilal (Riyadh): Kingdom Arena – 26,000
Al Taawoun (Buraidah): King Abdullah Sport City Stadium – 25,000 / Al-Taawoun Club Stadium – 5,961
Al Nassr (Riyadh): Al-Awwal Park – 25,000
Al Raed (Buraidah): King Abdullah Sport City Stadium – 25,000
Damac (Khamis Mushait): Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium – 20,000 / Damac Club Stadium – 5,000
Al Ettifaq (Dammam): Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium – 15,000
Al Riyadh (Riyadh): Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium – 15,000
Al Shabab (Riyadh): Al-Shabab Club Stadium – 15,000
Al Qadsiah (Khobar): Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium – 15,000
Al Okhood (Najran): Prince Hathloul bin Abdul Aziz Sports City – 12,000
Al Fateh (Al Hasa): Al-Fateh Club Stadium – 11,000
Al Kholood (Ar Rass): Al-Hazem Club Stadium – 8,000
Al Fayha (Al Majma’ah): Al Majma’ah Sports City – 7,000
Al Orobah (Sakakah): Al-Orobah Club Stadium – 7,000
High-Profile Transfers
The Saudi Pro League has garnered significant attention with the arrival of global superstars. Here is an overview of key transfers ahead of the 2024/25 season:
Al-Nassr FC
⚽ Bento from Athletico Paranaense for €18m
⚽ David Ospina to Atletico Nacional on a free transfer
Al-Ittihad Club
⚽ Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa for €60m
⚽ Houssem Aouar from Roma for €12m
⚽ Predrag Rajkovic from Mallorca for €8m
⚽ Ahmed Al-Ghamdi from Al-Ettifaq for €7.36m
⚽ Saad Al-Mousa from Al-Ettifaq for €6.9m
Al-Qadsiah
⚽ Ezequiel Fernandez from Boca Juniors for €18.7m
⚽ Julian Quinones from America for €13.8m
⚽ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Marseille for €9m
⚽ Nacho Fernandez from Real Madrid on a free transfer
⚽ Nahitan Nandez from Cagliari on a free transfer
⚽ Koen Casteels from Wolfsburg on a free transfer
Al-Kholood
⚽ Norbert Gyomber from Salernitana on a free transfer
⚽ Mohammed Jahfali from Al-Hilal on a free transfer
⚽ Marcelo Grohe from Al-Ittihad on a free transfer
⚽ Abdullah Al-Hawsawi from Damac on a free transfer
⚽ Abdullah Al-Rashidi from Al-Adalah on a free transfer
Al-Shabab FC
⚽ Giacomo Bonaventura from Fiorentina on a free transfer
⚽ Majed Abdullah from Orlando on a free transfer
⚽ Abderrazak Hamdallah from Al-Ittihad on a free transfer
⚽ Haroune Camara from Al-Ittihad on a free transfer
⚽ Mohammed Al-Otaibi from Al-Nassr on a free transfer
As the new season approaches, anticipation builds among fans, players, and league officials for what promises to be a highly competitive and thrilling campaign. The Playbook will provide in-depth reports and analysis starting with the kick off on August 22, 2024.
