Saudi Pro League announces rapid financial growth after summer transfer spree

The Saudi Pro League has witnessed substantial growth in revenue, attendances and social media engagement, with revenue alone increasing by 650 per cent in the first month of the 2023/24 season – according to official league figures.

The Saudi Arabian top-flight embarked this summer on a period of unprecedented investment, with some of the world’s most recognisable footballers signing for the kingdom's leading clubs.

Among the most high-profile players to move to Saudi Arabia are Brazil superstar Neymar, Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema, current African Footballer of the Year Sadio Mane, World Cup winner N’Golo Kante, Manchester City treble-winner Riyad Mahrez, and former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.

The Saudi Pro League said on Wednesday that the recruitment of world-class international talent has prompted a considerable rise in the league’s profile, recorded through fan engagement – local and international – and both broadcast and commercial revenue.

The SPL said the number of sponsors has grown around 75 per cent this season, claiming the competition has become the third most profitable league in the world in relation to sponsorship revenue.

New international broadcast deals, encompassing 38 broadcasters, mean the league has agreements across 140 territories, with matches shown live in multiple markets, such as the UK, Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Portugal.

The SPL said the broadcast deals have led to a 650 per cent increase in revenue, “clear evidence of the SPL’s successful transformation strategy to grow revenue for league and clubs, while increasing the commercial value of the league and attracting investors”.

Meanwhile, the overall attendance for the first six rounds of the new season has been tallied