Want to win! TA: Saudi League seeks overseas investment and strives to compete with the top league

July 18th TA wrote an article today to introduce the ambitions and plans of the Saudi League to seek overseas investment and strive to compete with the top league.

In the 2025 summer Club World Cup, Saudi giant Riyadh Crescent defeated the six-champion Premier League champion Manchester City, shocking the world football world. FIFA President Infantino called the game "the beginning of a new era", and the victory also symbolizes the Saudi professional league's entry into the top league, and also heralds the Saudi government's increasingly active ambitions in global sports politics.

From the "Four Great Leagues" to the national reform: Sovereign Wealth Fund Leads Reform

Saudi Arabia's football strategy transformation began in 2023. That year, Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund (PIF) invested in four top clubs in the country - Riyadh Crescent, Riyadh Victory, Jeddah United and Jeddah Nationals, with a shareholding ratio of 75%, and launched the privatization reform of the national professional club system.

At the same time, Saudi national-level enterprises have joined: oil giant Aramco acquired Cadisia; new urban development plan Neom directly formed NeomFC, reflecting that football is becoming the core carrier of the "Vision 2030" national transformation plan.

This series of layouts injected more than 1 billion pounds of recruitment funds into the Saudi league, attracting a large number of world-class stars including Ronaldo, Benzema, Kulibali and Lacazette to join, and quickly increasing the attention and competitive level of the league. The construction of the system is being promoted simultaneously to create the "infrastructure" of the professional league

While attracting big-name stars, the Saudi League is also starting to build a professional internal construction. Former Chelsea and Monaco technical director Michael Emenalo was appointed as the first director of the league, responsible for establishing the "Center of Excellence for Players' Introduction" to provide transfer advice and logistical support to various clubs, and eliminate the risk of being manipulated by intermediaries.

In addition, the Saudi Ministry of Sports officially transferred the club's financial supervision power to the newly established regulatory body of the Saudi League, which is composed of the government, the Football Association, the league and independent members, aiming to strengthen financial discipline and optimize management processes. These reforms mark Saudi Arabia's move from "spending money to buy stars" to a sustainable development path.

Introduced foreign capital for the first time: Saudi League accelerates globalization

In order to further promote commercial transformation, the Saudi League is taking a historic step: opening up overseas investors' equity for the first time. According to people familiar with the matter, a foreign company is about to complete the acquisition of a Saudi club, marking the first time Saudi football has opened up its equity to international capital.

This step originated from the second round of privatization reform launched in 2024. The Saudi government openly bids for six clubs to the market, and the new owners of these clubs are expected to be announced within weeks.

The Saudi League has made it clear that its goal is to privatize most clubs in the league in the next few years, and to encourage clubs to develop comprehensively in the fields of business, infrastructure, community operations, etc. through incentive mechanisms. The higher the score, the more government fund you get, and the easier it is to obtain a privatization license.

Analysts pointed out that the introduction of overseas capital will bring new operating concepts and market resources to help the Saudi League achieve brand globalization; but it also raises concerns - will commercial capital become a risk variable in the face of local culture and national interests?

International discourse power layout: Go beyond "whitewashing" and move towards a global game

2025 Carabao champion: Newcastle

Saudi football investment is far more than domestic. PIF holds 85% of Newcastle shares and has also become a partner of DAZN, a Club World Cup sponsor and broadcaster. Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup and has been deeply tied to international projects such as Atletico Madrid, F1, and LIV golf.

"Saudi is increasing its influence in the global sports governance system through event hosting, brand sponsorship, media holdings, etc.," said Simon Chadwick, a sports professor at the Lyon Business School in France. "They not only want to dominate the game, but also want to shape the rules."

Chadwick even predicted: "By 2050, we may see a Saudi FIFA chairman."

Local players and league rhythm: hidden worries are not solved

However, the rise of the league also brings side effects. The foreign aid quota has been increased from 4 in 2017 to 10 in 2023, of which 8 can be included in the competition list at the same time. This has led to a decrease in the chances of playing for local players and many national team members have lost their main position. In the 2025 Club World Cup, several Saudi players in Riyadh New Moon were replaced by foreign players, and the problems became increasingly prominent.

Due to the lack of intercontinental regular season, Saudi clubs' confrontation with European strong teams is still limited. The idea of "joining the Champions League" or establishing the "Middle East Super League" was stranded due to various real resistances. At present, Saudi Arabia hopes to gradually improve its competitive level through the Asian Champions League and the expanded Intercontinental Cup.

is not just a "whitewashing": football is a part of the national strategy

The outside world generally questioned that Saudi football investment is "whitewashing", trying to cover up its practical problems in human rights, women's status, speech censorship, etc. But Chadwick pointed out that there is a deeper national logic behind this football reform.

"Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman once said that extremism has caused Saudi Arabia to lose 20 years of development opportunities. He hopes to fight extremist thoughts through sports construction, achieve social integration and reshape the national image."

The Saudi government also hopes that sports can inspire citizens to participate in sports, alleviate the obesity crisis, and stimulate GDP through industries (the goal is sports account for 3%). Equality between men and women, social vitality, and global integration are all important tasks that sports in "Vision 2030".