Sports Bulletin Report
Riyadh (Saudi Arabia): The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has announced the fixture list for the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League (RSL), and it promises to be a blockbuster start to what is shaping up to be the league’s most competitive season yet. The new campaign kicks off on Thursday, August 28, and the opening rounds will deliver instant drama, marquee matchups, and fresh storylines across Saudi football.
Which are the standout matches in the opening round?
Matchday 1 sees reigning champions Al Ittihad begin their title defence away to Al Okhdood, while Cristiano Ronaldo – fresh from signing his new contract – and Al Nassr also hit the road to take on Al Taawoun, one of last season’s surprise packages.
Following their superb run to the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals, Al Hilal start their campaign with a city derby clash against Al Riyadh.
Arguably the match of the round takes place in Jeddah, where AFC Champions League winners Al Ahli host promoted Neom, who dominated the Saudi First Division last season. Neom have since bolstered their squad with the signings of former Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette, goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, and highly-rated midfield youngster Amadou Koné as manager Christophe Galtier aims to establish the Tabuk-based club in the top tier.
Fast start in store for ‘Big Four’
In a clear demonstration of the depth of quality in the RSL, there is no easing into the season for last year’s top three and Asian champions Al Ahli.
Al Hilal immediately follow their opening match with a home clash against Al Qadsiah, last season’s fourth-place finishers and King’s Cup finalists, before travelling to Jeddah to take on Al Ahli on Matchday 3. Three rounds later, Al Hilal are back in Jeddah for the first Clasico against rivals Al Ittihad, meaning the Riyadh giants face several early-season tests that could be pivotal to the rest of their campaign.
Following their opening trip to Al Taawoun, Al Nassr’s early schedule also includes a massive visit to Jeddah to play Al Ittihad on Matchday 4, followed by a home clash with Neom on Matchday 8. A challenging winter stretch between Matchdays 13 and 16 sees Jorge Jesus’ side face Al Ahli (A), Al Qadsiah (H), Al Hilal (A) in the Capital Derby, and Al Shabab (H).
Al Ittihad’s start away to Al Okhdood is followed by home matches against Al Fateh and Al Nassr, either side of a trip to promoted Al Najma, before the blockbuster showdown with Al Hilal in Jeddah on Matchday 6. Their final game of the season will be a rematch of last season’s Kings Cup final in Jeddah against Al Qadsiah, whom they defeated to clinch the domestic double.
After welcoming Neom on the opening day, Al Ahli clash with Al Hilal (H) on Matchday 3 and take on Al Ittihad (A) in the Sea Derby on Matchday 8. The reverse derby match is scheduled for Matchday 25.
Derby days to mark on the calendar
Al Hilal vs Al Nassr (Capital Derby): Matchday 15 (Al Hilal home) and Matchday 32 (Al Nassr home)
Al Ittihad vs Al Ahli (Sea Derby): Matchday 8 (Al Ittihad home) and Matchday 25 (Al Ahli home)
Al Qadsiah vs Al Ettifaq (Eastern Province derby): Matchday 9 (Al Qadsiah home) and Matchday 26 (Al Ettifaq home)
Al Hilal vs Al Ittihad (Saudi Clasico): Matchday 6 (Al Ittihad home) and Matchday 23 (Al Hilal home)
Surprise packages and record chasers:
Beyond the usual title contenders, there will be many storylines to follow throughout the season as the drama unfolds. Among these could be Al Taawoun following an excellent 2024-25 season when they reached the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League 2 and placed eighth in the RSL.
Péricles Chamusca, who was Al Taawoun manager between 2022 and 2024, is back in the dugout having steered Neom to promotion, and with a kind-looking early fixture list – Al Nassr are the only opponents in their first five games to finish in last season’s top six – Al Taawoun have an opportunity to build some early momentum before the first international break.
Al Shabab start their season with four of their first six matches at home in Riyadh, which could provide a springboard for Abderrazak Hamdallah to make some monumental history. The Moroccan striker is just five goals shy of equalling the RSL’s all-time scoring record – currently held by Omar Al Somah with 155 goals – and a fast start to the campaign could see the prolific forward become the league’s greatest goalscorer.
New season set to build on soaring success:
The RSL enters the new campaign aiming to build on the league’s remarkable progress in recent years. The 2024-25 season saw a record 183 broadcast partners worldwide while more than 2.5 million fans attended matches throughout the Kingdom. Global interest in Saudi football has also soared, with a 200% increase in international sponsorship revenue.
