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Saudi Pro League and the Road to the 2034 FIFA World Cup

The Saudi Pro League has become one of the most watched football leagues outside Europe, and Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Here is how to see a match, which clubs to follow and what is being built for the biggest tournament in sport.

Updated

At a glance

Football at a glance

2025-26 champions
Al Nassr
2026-27 season
August 2026 to May 2027
Asian Cup 2027
Jan 7 to Feb 5, 2027; 24 teams
World Cup 2034
48 teams, 5 cities, 15 stadiums
Opening and final
King Salman Stadium, Riyadh (planned, 92,000+)
Best months to watch
October to April

Football, the region's first love

From backstreet pickup games in Cairo to packed stadiums in Riyadh and Jeddah, football is the shared language of the Middle East. Qatar showed the world what the region could do as host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first in the Arab world, with eight stadiums within an hour of each other and the final at Lusail. That legacy lives on in Doha's metro, its hotels and venues that still host club and international football; see our Doha guide.

Saudi Arabia has since taken the stage. Its Roshn Saudi League, known abroad as the Saudi Pro League, has signed some of the best-known players in the game, and the 2026-27 season kicked off in mid-August 2026 and runs to the end of May 2027. Al Nassr were crowned 2025-26 champions, and Al Ahli arrive as reigning champions of Asia. Then come two landmark tournaments: the AFC Asian Cup in January 2027 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

The floodlit bowl of the King Abdullah Sports City stadium, the Jewel, in Jeddah.
Photo: saudipics · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Clubs to know

The giants of the Saudi Pro League, plus the region's other great names.

Saudi Pro League

Al Hilal

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The most decorated club in Asia, with a record haul of continental titles and a huge following across the Gulf. Home games are in Riyadh's largest stadiums.

Saudi Pro League

Al Nassr

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The 2025-26 Saudi champions and the club of Cristiano Ronaldo, whose arrival in 2023 put the league on screens worldwide. Matches are among the hardest tickets in the country.

Saudi Pro League

Al Ittihad

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Jeddah's oldest club, founded in 1927, with famously loud yellow-and-black support. It plays at King Abdullah Sports City, the Shining Jewel, a 2034 World Cup venue.

Saudi Pro League

Al Ahli

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Champions of Asia and Ittihad's great city rival, with a stylish green-and-white tradition. The Jeddah derby is one of the best nights in Saudi football.

Saudi Pro League

Al Qadsiah

Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

The Eastern Province club backed by Aramco, rising fast since its return to the top flight. A new stadium in Al Khobar is planned for the Asian Cup and the World Cup.

Qatar Stars League

Al Sadd

Doha, Qatar

Qatar's most successful club and a fixture in the AFC Champions League. A good way to pair a match with a Doha stopover.

UAE Pro League

Al Ain

Al Ain, UAE

The Emirates' most decorated club and Asian champions in 2024. Its Hazza bin Zayed Stadium is one of the most handsome grounds in the region.

Egyptian Premier League

Al Ahly

Cairo, Egypt

Africa's most successful club, with a record number of CAF Champions League titles and tens of millions of fans. A Cairo derby against Zamalek is an unforgettable night.

The AFC Asian Cup 2027

Before the World Cup comes Asia's own championship. Saudi Arabia hosts the AFC Asian Cup from January 7 to February 5, 2027, with 24 national teams across eight stadiums in three cities: five in Riyadh, two in Jeddah and a new purpose-built stadium in Al Khobar. Riyadh's venues include King Fahd Sports City, Kingdom Arena and King Saud University Stadium. January weather is ideal, with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit. Official information is published by the Asian Football Confederation.

The 2034 FIFA World Cup: host cities and stadiums

Saudi Arabia's plan, as presented in its bid and confirmed by FIFA in December 2024. Most stadiums are new; status will change as construction moves ahead.

CityStadiumsStatus
Riyadh (8)King Salman International Stadium (92,000+, opening match and final), King Fahd Sports City, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium at Qiddiya, New Murabba Stadium, ROSHN Stadium, Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City, South Riyadh Stadium, King Saud University StadiumMix of new, under construction and upgraded
Jeddah (4)King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah Central Development Stadium, Qiddiya Coast Stadium, King Abdullah Economic City StadiumKing Abdullah Sports City open; others planned
Al Khobar (1)Aramco StadiumUnder construction
Abha (1)King Khalid University Stadium (expanded to 45,000+ for the tournament)Planned expansion
NEOM (1)NEOM StadiumAnnounced

A tournament of new landmarks

The 2034 World Cup will be the first hosted by a single country with 48 teams. Its signature venue is the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium at Qiddiya, a 45,000-seat arena on top of a roughly 200-meter cliff outside Riyadh, which broke ground in 2025 and is expected to be finished well before the tournament. In the capital, the King Salman International Stadium will rise beside King Salman Park, and new stadiums are planned inside the New Murabba and Jeddah Central districts. For a wider view of the decade, see Expo 2030 and the 2034 World Cup and our guide to stadiums and arenas.

For investors, these stadiums anchor whole new neighborhoods of homes, hotels and offices. Property near Qiddiya, New Murabba and Jeddah Central is an obvious long-term angle; we explore it in Saudi Arabia Luxury Real Estate.

How to see a match

Saudi Pro League tickets are sold online through the league and club apps and the official ticketing platforms they name, and most cost roughly US$10 to US$60 for regular league games, more for derbies and big-name fixtures. Kickoffs are usually in the evening, after sunset prayers, and stadiums welcome families and women. Bring your passport or eVisa details, as tickets are often tied to an ID.

From the US, fly nonstop to Riyadh on Saudia or connect through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi; see nonstop flights from the US. US citizens can apply online for the Saudi tourist eVisa. Stay in the city's best addresses with our guide to Riyadh's luxury hotels.

Questions travelers ask

When does the Saudi Pro League season run?

The 2026-27 season started in mid-August 2026 and ends in late May 2027, with a break for the AFC Asian Cup in January 2027.

Can tourists buy tickets to Saudi Pro League games?

Yes. Tickets are sold online through the league's and clubs' official channels. Buy early for Al Hilal, Al Nassr and the Jeddah derby.

Where will the 2034 World Cup final be played?

The plan is for the King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh, with a capacity of more than 92,000, to host both the opening match and the final.

Is there football in the region in summer?

Domestic leagues pause in June and July, but preseason tournaments and friendlies are often staged in air-conditioned or evening settings. The best time for a football trip is October to April.

Travel TodayBefore you travel, check the US State Department's current advice for Saudi Arabia. See the advice ↗

Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here

Own a home in Saudi Arabia

The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Open to non-Saudis under the law in force since January 22, 2026, with designated zones in Riyadh and Jeddah; residents may own a home outside restricted areas.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate

Saudi Arabia Luxury Real EstateWho can buy, the best areas, fees and how to buy.Riyadh Luxury Real EstateThe Founding Partner Agencies and Developers for Riyadh.Makkah Luxury Real EstateThe Founding Partner Agencies and Developers for Makkah.Madinah Luxury Real EstateThe Founding Partner Agencies and Developers for Madinah.Can Foreigners Buy Property?The rules in all fourteen countries.

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.