Saudi First Division League

Last updated
First Division League
Saudi First Division League Logo.png
Organising body Saudi Arabia Football Federation (SAFF)
Founded1976;48 years ago (1976)
CountrySaudi Arabia
Confederation AFC
Number of teams18
Level on pyramid 2
Promotion to Pro League
Relegation to Second Division
Domestic cup(s) King Cup
Current champions Al-Ahli (1st title)
(2022–23 season)
Most championships Hajer
Al-Wehda
(4 titles each)
Top goalscorer Ousmane Barry (108 goals)
TV partners AlRiyadiyah
Current: 2023–24 First Division

The First Division League (FDL [1] for short), also called the Yelo league for sponsorship reasons, [2] is the second tier of professional football in Saudi Arabia. The First Division League is ranked below the Saudi Professional League and above the Saudi Second Division in the Saudi Arabian football league system. All of the FDL clubs qualify for the King Cup, the annual Saudi Cup competition. Al-Ahli are the most recent champions, winning their first title during the 2022–23 season.

Contents

The number of clubs in the league has changed throughout history, most recently in the 2018–19 season, when the number of clubs increased from 16 to 20. Since the 2019–20 season, three clubs from the First Division are directly promoted to the Pro League; on the other hand, four clubs are directly relegated to the Second Division. [3]

Hajer and Al-Wehda hold the record number of championships in the league with four. While Ohod holds the record for number of promotions from the First Division to the Pro League, nine. [4]

Promotion and relegation

The top three teams are promoted to the Professional League directly, while the bottom three teams are relegated to the Second Division.

List of teams (2022–23 season)

For details on the MS League 2022–23 season, see here.

Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
TeamLocationStadiumCapacity
Al-Adalah Al-Hasa (Al-Hulaylah) Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium
Al-Fateh Club Stadium
26,000 [5]
7,000
Al-Bukayriyah Al Bukayriyah Al-Bukayriyah Club Stadium 3,000 [6]
Al-Diriyah Diriyah Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium (Riyadh)15,000 [7]
Al-Fayha Al Majma'ah Al Majma'ah Sports City 7,000 [8]
Al-Hazem Ar Rass Al-Hazem Club Stadium 8,000 [9]
Al-Jabalain Ha'il Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa'ed Stadium 12,000 [10]
Al-Jeel Al-Hasa (Hofuf)Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium
Al-Fateh Club Stadium
26,000
7,000
Al-Kawkab Al-Kharj Al-Shoulla Club Stadium 5,200 [11]
Al-Khaleej Saihat Al-Khaleej Club Stadium 10,000 [12]
Al-Nahda Dammam Prince Fahd bin Salman Stadium 15,000 [13]
Al-Nojoom Al-Hasa (Al-Shuqaiq)Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium26,000
Al-Sahel Anak Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium (Khobar)15,000 [14]
Al-Shoulla Al-KharjAl-Shoulla Club Stadium5,200
Al-Tai Ha'ilPrince Abdul Aziz bin Musa'ed Stadium12,000
Al-Thoqbah Khobar Prince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium15,000
Arar Arar Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Musa'ed Sport City Stadium 5,650 [15]
Hajer Al-Hasa (Hofuf) Hajer Club Stadium
Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium
12,000 [16]
26,000
Jeddah Jeddah Reserve Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City 1,000 [17]
Najran Najran Najran Sport City Stadium 18,000
Ohod Medina Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Stadium 24,000 [18]

League rules

Since the 2018–19 season the number of foreign players in the league was increased from 3 to 7. [19] Seven substitutes are permitted to be selected, from which three can be used in the duration of the game.

Club performances

Promotions by season

Al-Najma vs Al-Riyadh in 2010-11 Saudi First Division Match between Al-Najma and Al-Riyadh - Saudi First Division.JPG
Al-Najma vs Al-Riyadh in 2010–11 Saudi First Division
SeasonWinnersRunners-up
1976–77 Al-Nahda Al-Ettifaq
1977–78 Al-Riyadh Al-Tai
1978–79 Al-Shabab Ohod
1979–80 Al-Jabalain Al-Riyadh
1980–81 Ohod Al-Rawdhah
1981–82Not held1
1982–83 Al-Wehda Al-Riyadh
1983–84 Ohod Al-Jabalain
1984–85 Al-Tai Al-Kawkab
1985–86 Al-Ansar Al-Raed
1986–87 Al-Kawkab Ohod
1987–88 Hajer Al-Rawdhah
1988–89 Al-Riyadh Al-Raed
1989–90 Al-Najma Al-Arabi
1990–91 Al-Nahda Ohod
SeasonWinnersRunners-up
1991–92 Al-Raed Al-Najma
1992–93 Al-Nahda Ohod
1993–94 Al-Najma Al-Rawdhah
1994–95 Al-Tai Al-Taawoun
1995–96 Al-Wehda Al-Ansar
1996–97 Al-Taawoun Al-Shoulla
1997–98 Hajer Al-Ansar
1998–99 Sdoos Al-Raed
1999–2000 Al-Ansar Al-Qadsiah
2000–01 Al-Tai Al-Shoulla
2001–02 Al-Qadsiah Al-Raed
2002–03 Al-Wehda Al-Khaleej
2003–04 Ohod Al-Ansar
2004–05 Al-Hazem Abha
2005–06 Al-Khaleej Al-Faisaly
SeasonWinnersRunners-up
2006–07 Al-Watani Najran
2007–08 Al-Raed Abha
2008–09 Al-Qadsiah Al Fateh
2009–10 Al-Faisaly Al-Taawoun
2010–11 Hajer Al-Ansar
2011–12 Al-Shoulla Al-Wehda
2012–13 Al-Orobah Al-Nahda
2013–14 Hajer Al-Khaleej
2014–15 Al-Qadsiah Al-Wehda
2015–16 Al-Ettifaq Al-Batin
2016–17 Al-Fayha Ohod
2017–18 Al-Wehda Al-Hazem
2018–19 Abha Damac
2019–20 Al-Batin Al-Qadsiah
2020–21 Al-Hazem Al-Fayha
SeasonWinnersRunners-up
2021–22 Al-Khaleej Al-Adalah
2022–23 Al-Ahli Al-Hazem
Note
1First Division and Premier League were merged in 1981–82.

Performance by club

ClubWinnersWinning years
Hajer
4
1988, 1998, 2011, 2014
Al-Wehda
4
1983, 1996, 2003, 2018
Al-Nahda
3
1977, 1991, 1993
Al-Tai
3
1985, 1995, 2001
Ohod
3
1981, 1984, 2004
Al-Qadsiah
3
2002, 2009, 2015
Al-Riyadh
2
1978, 1989
Al-Najma
2
1990, 1994
Al-Ansar
2
1986, 2000
Al-Raed
2
1992, 2008
Al-Hazem
2
2005, 2021
Al-Khaleej
2
2006, 2022
Al-Shabab
1
1979
Al-Jabalain
1
1980
Al-Kawkab
1
1987
Al-Taawoun
1
1997
Sdoos
1
1999
Al-Watani
1
2007
Al-Faisaly
1
2010
Al-Shoulla
1
2012
Al-Orobah
1
2013
Al-Ettifaq
1
2016
Al-Fayha
1
2017
Abha
1
2019
Al-Batin
1
2020
Al-Ahli
1
2023

Top scorers

Nat.Top ScorersClubSeasonGoals
Flag of Senegal.svg Ablaye Mbengue Al-Arabi 2022–2023 29
Flag of Madagascar.svg Carolus Andria Ohod Club 2021–2022 25
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg Ibrahim Diomandé Ohod Club 2020–2021 24
Flag of Guinea.svg Ousmane Barry Al-Bukiryah FC 2019–2020 27
Flag of Madagascar.svg Carolus Andria Al-Adalah 2018–2019 22
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mashari Al-Enezi Al-Tai 2017–2018 21
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Abdulfattah Adam Al Jeel 2016–2017 20
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Abdulfattah Adam Al Jeel 2015–2016 20
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mousa Madkhali Al-Wehda 2014–2015 20
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Hamad Al-Juhaim Al-Ta'ee 2013–2014 20
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mousa Madkhali Hetten 2012–2013 22
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Younes Alaiwi Al-Batin 2011–2012 21
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Hussain Al-Turki Khaleej 2010–2011 20
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Hussain Al-Turki Khaleej 2009–2010 16
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
Mohammad Al-Sahlawi
Mohammad Alhelo
Al-Qadsiah
Sdoos
2008–2009 15 [20]
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Khalid Al Rejaib Hajer 2007–2008 9
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al Hasan Al-Yami Najran 2006–2007 20
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mubarak Al Khaleefah Khaleej 2005–2006 18
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mohammed Abuarad Abha 2004–2005 19
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mohammed Abuarad Abha 2003–2004 15
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mohammed Abuarad Abha 2002–2003 16
Flag of Senegal.svg Mohammed Manga Sdoos 2001–2002 12 [21]
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mohammed Abuarad Abha 2000–2001 14
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mohammed Harshan Najran 1999–2000 11
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mubarak Al Khaleefah Al-Rawdhah 1998–1999 13 [22]
1997–1998
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mousa Sahab Al-Taawoun 1996–1997
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Obeid Al-Dosari Al-Wehda 1995–1996
Flag of Senegal.svg Yehey Jako Al-Ta'ee 1994–1995 11 [23]
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Khalid Al-Mansour Al-Arabi 1993–1994 15
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Hamzah Idris Ohod 1992–93 10
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
Sulaiman Al Hadaithi
Mohamed Al Khalifa
Nasser Al-Qahtani
Al-Najma
Hajer
Al-Rawdhah
1991–1992 11
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Ahmed Al-Zaaq Al-Taawoun 1990–1991 11
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
Khalid Al-Mansour
Hamzah Idris
Al-Arabi
Ohod
1989–1990 11
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Khalid Al-Mansour Al-Arabi 1988–1989 14
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
Khalid Al-Mansour
Fahd Al-Hamdan
Al-Arabi
Al-Riyadh
1987–1988 11
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Khalid Al-Mansour Al-Arabi 1986–1987 16
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Abdullah Al Saab Al-Fayha 1985–1986 8 [24]
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Walid Sharqi Al-Ansar 1984–1985
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Mohamed Al-Suwaiyed Damac 1983–1984 11
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Shaye Al-Nafisah Al-Kawkab 1982–1983 12
1981–1982

1First Division and Premier League were merged
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Abdullah Al-Mansour Al-Taawoun 1980–1981 9
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Daran Al Daran Al-Jabalain 1979–1980 16 [25]
1978–1979
1977–1978
1976–1977

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saudi Pro League</span> Top division association football league in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Pro League (SPL), known as the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) for sponsorship reasons, is the highest division of association football in the Saudi league system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al-Tai FC</span> Association football club in Saudi Arabia

Al-Tai Football Club is a professional football club based in the city of Ha'il, in north-western Saudi Arabia, that plays in the Saudi Professional League, the top tier of Saudi football. It was founded in 1961.

Ohod Club is a Saudi Arabian professional football club based in Medina, which competes in the First Division League, the second tier of Saudi football.

The tables below show the current makeup of the Saudi Arabian Football League system. The Saudi Professional League sits at the top of the pyramid and currently two teams get promoted/relegated between the Professional League and the First Division League.

The 2011–12 Saudi Professional League was the 36th season of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. The season began on 9 September 2011, and ended on 18 April 2012. Al-Hilal were the defending champions. The league was contested by the 12 teams from the 2010–11 season as well as Al-Ansar and Hajer, who joined as the promoted clubs from the 2010–11 First Division. They replace Al-Hazem and Al-Wehda who were relegated to the 2011–12 First Division.

The 2012–13 Saudi Professional League was the 37th season of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. The season began on 2 August 2012 and ended on 27 April 2013. Al-Shabab were the defending champions. The league was contested by the 12 teams from the 2011–12 season as well as Al-Shoulla and Al-Wehda, who joined as the promoted clubs from the 2011–12 First Division. They replace Al-Ansar and Al-Qadisiyah who were relegated to the 2012–13 First Division.

The 2013–14 Saudi Professional League was the 38th season of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. The season began on 23 August 2013 and ended on 6 April 2014. Al-Fateh were the defending champions having won their first title last season. The league was contested by the 12 teams from the 2012–13 season as well as Al-Nahda and Al-Orobah, who joined as the promoted clubs from the 2012–13 First Division. They replace Al-Wehda and Hajer who were relegated to the 2013–14 First Division.

The 2014–15 Saudi Professional League was the 39th season of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. The season began on 8 August 2014 and ended on 18 May 2015. Al-Nassr were the defending champions having won their sixth title the prior season. The league was contested by the 12 teams from the 2013–14 season as well as Al-Khaleej and Hajer, who joined as the promoted clubs from the 2013–14 First Division. They replace Al-Ettifaq and Al-Nahda who were relegated to the 2014–15 First Division.

The 2015–16 Saudi Professional League was the 40th season of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. The season began on 19 August 2015 and ended on 14 May 2016. Al-Nassr were the two time defending champions having won their seventh title last season. The league was contested by the 12 teams from the 2014–15 season as well as Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Wehda, who joined as the promoted clubs from the 2014–15 First Division. They replace Al-Orobah and Al-Shoulla who were relegated to the 2015–16 First Division.

The 2015–16 Saudi Crown Prince Cup was the 41st season of the Saudi Crown Prince Cup since its establishment in 1957. This season's competition featured a total of 30 teams, 14 teams from the Pro League, and 16 teams from the First Division.

Mishaal bin Abdullah Al Saud is a member of the House of Saud who served as the governor of the Northern Borders Region between 2015 and 2017. He was appointed governor following the death of his father, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Before that Prince Mishaal served as an advisor of King Salman.

The 2020–21 Saudi Professional League was the 45th edition of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. The season began on 17 October 2020 as a consequence of the postponement of the previous season's conclusion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fixtures for the 2020–21 season were announced on 29 September 2020.

The 2020–21 Prince Mohammad bin Salman League was the fourth season of the Prince Mohammad bin Salman League under its current name, and the 44th season of the Saudi First Division since its establishment in 1976. The season started on 31 October 2020 as a consequence of the postponement of the previous season's conclusion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fixtures for the first half of the 2020–21 season were announced on 3 October 2020. Fixtures for the second half were announced on 18 January 2021.

The 2021–22 Saudi Professional League was the 46th edition of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. Fixtures for the 2021–22 season were announced on 18 July 2021.

The 2022–23 Saudi Professional League was the 47th edition of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. Fixtures for the first half of the 2022–23 season were announced on 4 August 2022.

The 2022–23 season was Al-Ahli's first season in the Saudi First Division League following their relegation from the Pro League last season in their 86th year in existence. It was also their first season in the second tier of Saudi football since the formation of the club.

The 2023–24 Saudi Pro League is the 48th edition of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. Fixtures for the 2023–24 season were announced on 15 July 2023.

Damac Club Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia. It is currently used mostly for football matches. It is the home stadium of Damac and has a capacity of 5,000. The stadium has also hosted youth international matches, including the 2022 Arab Cup U-20.

Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Najran, Saudi Arabia. It is used mostly for football matches. It is the home stadium of Al-Okhdood and Najran has a capacity of 10,000. The stadium is named after Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Abdulaziz bin Musa'ed Sports City</span> Football stadium in Hail, Saudi Arabia

Prince Abdulaziz bin Musa'ed Sports City is a multi-purpose stadium in Ha'il, Saudi Arabia. It is used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Al-Jabalain and Al-Tai. The stadium has a current capacity of 12,250 people following an expansion in 2022. Besides the football stadium the sports complex also includes other facilities such as a sports hall, an Olympic size swimming pool, a squash court, a track and field track and a youth dorm.

References

  1. Official SAFF site in English(also known as Saudi League 1st Division
  2. Official SAFF site in English
  3. تنفيذاً لقرار مجلس ادارة الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم بزيادة عدد الأندية في الموسم المقبل: (in Arabic). SAFF. 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  4. "سجل الفائزين" . Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  5. "Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium".
  6. "Albukiryah Club Stadium".
  7. "Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium".
  8. "ALMajma`a City Stadium".
  9. "Alhazm Club Stadium".
  10. "استاد الأمير عبدالعزيز بن مساعد بن جلوي". kooora.com. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  11. "al shoulla stadium".
  12. "ملعب نادي الخليج - AlKhaleej Club Stadium".
  13. "Prince Fahad bin Salman Stadium".
  14. "استاد مدينة الأمير سعود بن جلوي الرياضية (الراكة)".
  15. "أمير الحدود الشمالية يفتتح مدينة الأمير عبدالله بن عبدالعزيز بن مساعد الرياضية الأربعاء القادم".
  16. "نادي هجر النموذجي".
  17. "www.slstat.com/spl2015-2016en/stadium.php?id=24". slstat.com. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  18. "Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Stadium".
  19. "10 ملايين و7 أجانب في دوري الأمير محمد بن سلمان". 24 February 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  20. alriyadh 12 May 2009 issue 14932 (in Arabic)
  21. Al Jazirah 30 Mar 2002 issue 10775 (in Arabic)
  22. Al Jazirah 5 Mar 1999 issue 9654 (in Arabic)
  23. Al Jazirah 2 Apr 1995 issue 8211 (in Arabic)
  24. Al Jazirah 7 Mar 1986 issue 4908 (in Arabic)
  25. Al Jazirah 7 April 1980 issue 2819 (in Arabic)