2021–22 Saudi Pro League
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.
| Season | 2021–22 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 11 August 2021 – 27 June 2022 |
| Champions | Al-Hilal (18th title) |
| Relegated | Al-Faisaly Al-Ahli Al-Hazem |
| AFC Champions League | Al-Hilal Al-Fayha |
| Arab Club Champions Cup | Al-Hilal Al-Ittihad Al-Nassr Al-Shabab |
| Matches played | 240 |
| Goals scored | 637 (2.65 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Odion Ighalo (24 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Al-Ittihad 6–1 Abha (11 September 2021) Al-Hilal 5–0 Al-Shabab (17 February 2022) |
| Biggest away win | Al-Tai 0–4 Al-Hilal (11 January 2022) Abha 0–4 Al-Ittihad (6 February 2022) |
| Highest scoring | Al-Fateh 5–5 Damac (25 November 2021) |
| Longest winning run | Al-Ittihad (10 matches) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Al-Shabab (17 matches) |
| Longest winless run | Al-Hazem (11 matches) |
| Longest losing run | Al-Hazem (7 matches) |
| Highest attendance | 58,755 Al-Ittihad 1–3 Al-Hilal (23 May 2022) |
| Lowest attendance | 0 Al-Ittihad 3–0 Al-Nassr (11 February 2022) 0 Al-Nassr 1–0 Al-Fayha (17 March 2022) 0 Al-Shabab 1–0 Al-Faisaly (12 May 2022) |
| Total attendance | 1,868,679 |
| Average attendance | 7,885 |
← 2020–21 2022–23 → All statistics correct as of 27 June 2022. | |
Al-Hilal were the two-time defending champions after winning their 17th title last season. Al-Fayha, Al-Hazem, and Al-Tai join as the three promoted clubs from the 2020–21 MS League. They replace Al-Ain, Al-Qadsiah, and Al-Wehda who were relegated to the 2021–22 MS League.
On 27 June, Al-Hilal secured their eighteenth league title in the final matchday following a 2–1 home win against Al-Faisaly. It was also the club's third consecutive title and fifth in the last six seasons. Al-Hazem were the first team to be relegated following a 5–2 defeat away to Al-Ettifaq on 21 May. In the final matchday, both Al-Faisaly and Al-Ahli were relegated following a defeat to Al-Hilal and a draw with Al-Shabab respectively.
Overview
Sponsorship
On 8 August 2021, the Saudi Professional League announced that they had signed a sponsorship deal with real estate company Roshn. On 9 August 2021, the Saudi FF signed a sponsorship deal with Chinese tech company Lenovo to become the official technology partner of all Saudi football competitions.
Changes
On 8 August 2021, Ministry of Sports announced that they had increased the capacity limit from 40% to 60% in all stadiums. It was also announced that children under 12 wouldn't be allowed to attend matches and that the attendance would be limited to those who are fully vaccinated.
Teams
Sixteen teams will compete in the league – the top thirteen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the MS League.
Teams who were promoted to the Pro League
The first club to be promoted was Al-Hazem, who were promoted following a 4–2 away win against Al-Sahel on 20 April 2021. Al-Hazem will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence. Al-Hazem were crowned champions following a 1–0 away win against Hajer on 21 May 2021.
The second club to be promoted was Al-Fayha, following a 0–0 home draw with Al-Tai on 20 May 2021. Al-Fayha will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence.
The third and final club to be promoted was Al-Tai who were promoted on the final matchday following a 2–0 away win over Arar. Al-Tai will play in the top flight of Saudi football for the first time since the 2007–08 season.
Teams who were relegated to the MS League
The first club to be relegated was Al-Ain, who were relegated after only a year in the top flight following a 2–0 defeat away to Al-Nassr on 14 May 2021.
In the final matchday, both Al-Qadsiah and Al-Wehda were relegated following a draw with Abha and a loss against Al-Shabab respectively. Al-Qadsiah were relegated after only a year in the top flight while Al-Wehda were relegated after three years in the top flight.
Stadiums
- Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
Personnel and kits
| Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abha |  Martin Ševela |  Karam Barnawi | Offside | Al-Dakheel Oud, Yelo, Mezaj Maghribi1, Hayat National Hospital1, The Burger's Origin2, Furn Al-Dhayaa2, X Antra3 |
| Al-Ahli |  Robert Siboldi | Yasser Al-Mosailem | Xtep | MG Cars, Boga Super Foods1, Dorrah for Real Estate1, Saudi German Hospital2 |
| Al-Batin |  Alen Horvat | Mazyad Freeh | Skillano | Al-Odhaib Company, Traof, AlNadeg1, ARASCO2 |
| Al-Ettifaq |  Patrice Carteron |  Raïs M'Bolhi | adidas | Al-Dakheel Oud, Kammelna1, Saudi German Hospital1, 42 Group2, Shgardi2, Jana Center3 |
| Al-Faisaly |  Marinos Ouzounidis |  Igor Rossi | adidas | ALDREES, Gree Electric, Roco1, Mr Mandoob2, UPS2 |
| Al-Fateh | Giorgos Donis | Mohammed Al-Fuhaid | Offside | Kia Motors, Al-Jabr Finance, Fuschia, Al Kifah Holding1, Almoosa Hospital1, B-Care2 |
| Al-Fayha |  Vuk Rašović | Sami Al-Khaibari | Puma | Al-Romaih Investment, Brave, Abdal1, Aromatic Families1, Hayat Water2, Sky Ways2, Tasooma3 |
| Al-Hazem |  Roel Coumans | Khaled Al-Barakah | S Team | Arabica Star, Point1, Superano1, Asal Al-Barri2, Qaid2, Two Mark3 |
| Al-Hilal |  Ramón Díaz | Salman Al-Faraj | S Team | EMAAR, Jahez, Tawuniya1, Floward2, Shawarmer2 |
| Al-Ittihad |  Cosmin Contra | Marcelo Grohe | Erreà | DARCO, Emkan1, Bolt2, Yelo2 |
| Al-Nassr | Miguel Ángel Russo | Abdullah Madu | Victory | Lebara, Shurfah, ToYou1, Harrys Pizza2 |
| Al-Raed | Yousef Al-Ghadeer | Sultan Al-Farhan | Challenge | Shawahe, Yelo, Aldakheel Oud1, Arabica Star1, B-Care2, Qaid2 |
| Al-Shabab | Marius Șumudică | Éver Banega | Offside | Almozaini, Bolt, Half Million, Prestige1, Takenda1, Azom2, TikTok2, Veloce3 |
| Al-Taawoun | Mohammed Al-Abdali | Cássio | Skillano | Fuchs, Nice One, Alsaif Gallery1, Hayat National Hospital1, Arabica Star2, B-Care2 |
| Al-Tai |  José Luis Sierra | Abdulaziz Al-Harabi | Mashar | Al-Adham, Mashar, Abar1, Al Ahli Medical1, Qaid2, Ldonk2 |
| Damac | Krešimir Režić | Farouk Chafaï | Skillano | ARROW, Bin Thaliba1, Mustasharak Hospital1, Qaid2, X Antra3 |
- 1 On the back of the strip.
- 2 On the right sleeve of the strip.
- 3 On the shorts.
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abha |  Abderrazek Chebbi | End of contract | 31 May 2021 | Pre-season | Martin Ševela | 1 July 2021 |
| Al-Ahli | Laurențiu Reghecampf |  Besnik Hasi | 6 June 2021 | |||
| Al-Batin | Aleksandar Veselinović | Nenad Lalatović | 24 June 2021 | |||
| Al-Faisaly | Péricles Chamusca |  Paolo Tramezzani | 18 June 2021 | |||
| Al-Hilal |  José Morais | Leonardo Jardim | 1 June 2021 | |||
| Al-Raed | Besnik Hasi |  Pablo Machín | 19 June 2021 | |||
| Al-Shabab | Carlos Inarejos | Péricles Chamusca | 31 May 2021 | |||
| Al-Fayha | Al-Habib bin Ramadan | 1 June 2021 | Vuk Rašović | 21 June 2021 | ||
| Al-Hazem | Mohammed Dahmane | Hélder | 7 June 2021 | |||
| Al-Taawoun |  Nestor El Maestro | Sacked | 22 August 2021 | 14th | José Gomes | 22 August 2021 |
| Al-Ittihad | Fábio Carille | 23 August 2021 | 6th | Cosmin Contra | 29 August 2021 | |
| Al-Tai | Mohamed Kouki | 28 August 2021 | 16th | Zoran Manojlović | 30 August 2021 | |
| Al-Nassr | Mano Menezes | 19 September 2021 | 8th | Pedro Emanuel | 1 October 2021 | |
| Al-Faisaly | Paolo Tramezzani | Mutual consent | 7 October 2021 | 9th | Daniel Ramos | 7 October 2021 |
| Al-Ettifaq | Khaled Al-Atwi | 16 October 2021 | 12th | Vladan Milojević | 17 October 2021 | |
| Al-Batin | Nenad Lalatović | Sacked | 17 October 2021 | 15th | Alen Horvat | 21 October 2021 |
| Al-Tai | Zoran Manojlović | 4 November 2021 | 16th | José Luis Sierra | 7 November 2021 | |
| Al-Nassr | Pedro Emanuel | 10 November 2021 | 9th | Miguel Ángel Russo | 5 December 2021 | |
| Al-Hazem | Hélder | 27 November 2021 | 15th | Constantin Gâlcă | 6 December 2021 | |
| Al-Fateh |  Yannick Ferrera | Mutual consent | 9 January 2022 | 12th | Giorgos Donis | 16 January 2022 |
| Al-Raed | Pablo Machín | Sacked | 26 January 2022 | 8th | João Pedro Sousa | 26 January 2022 |
| Al-Hilal | Leonardo Jardim | Mutual consent | 14 February 2022 | 4th | Ramón Díaz | 14 February 2022 |
| Al-Hazem | Constantin Gâlcă | 21 February 2022 | 16th | Roel Coumans | 1 March 2022 | |
| Al-Faisaly | Daniel Ramos | 24 February 2022 | 13th | Marinos Ouzounidis | 27 February 2022 | |
| Al-Ettifaq | Vladan Milojević | Sacked | 1 March 2022 | 15th | Patrice Carteron | 4 March 2022 |
| Al-Ahli | Besnik Hasi | 4 March 2022 | 11th | Robert Siboldi | 5 March 2022 | |
| Al-Taawoun | José Gomes | Mutual consent | 20 March 2022 | 13th | John van den Brom | 31 March 2022 |
| Al-Shabab | Péricles Chamusca | Sacked | 23 March 2022 | 4th | Marius Șumudică | 23 March 2022 |
| Al-Taawoun | John van den Brom | 7 May 2022 | 14th | Mohammed Al-Abdali (caretaker) | 7 May 2022 | |
| Al-Raed | João Pedro Sousa | 24 May 2022 | 12th | Yousef Al-Ghadeer | 6 June 2022 |
Foreign players
The policy of foreign players remained unchanged. Clubs can register a total of seven foreign players over the course of the season.
Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al-Hilal (C) | 30 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 63 | 28 | +35 | 67 | Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage |
| 2 | Al-Ittihad | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 62 | 29 | +33 | 65 | |
| 3 | Al-Nassr | 30 | 19 | 4 | 7 | 58 | 36 | +22 | 61 | |
| 4 | Al-Shabab | 30 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 52 | 36 | +16 | 55 | |
| 5 | Damac | 30 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 38 | 44 | −6 | 44 | |
| 6 | Al-Tai | 30 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 33 | 45 | −12 | 37 | |
| 7 | Al-Raed | 30 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 35 | 45 | −10 | 36 | |
| 8 | Al-Fateh | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 45 | 41 | +4 | 35 | |
| 9 | Abha | 30 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 27 | 43 | −16 | 35 | |
| 10 | Al-Fayha | 30 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 21 | 24 | −3 | 35 | Qualification for AFC Champions League group stage |
| 11 | Al-Ettifaq | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 40 | 47 | −7 | 34 | |
| 12 | Al-Taawoun | 30 | 7 | 13 | 10 | 43 | 48 | −5 | 34 | |
| 13 | Al-Batin | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 31 | 41 | −10 | 33 | |
| 14 | Al-Faisaly (R) | 30 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 28 | 37 | −9 | 33 | Relegation to MS League |
| 15 | Al-Ahli (R) | 30 | 6 | 14 | 10 | 38 | 43 | −5 | 32 | |
| 16 | Al-Hazem (R) | 30 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 23 | 50 | −27 | 17 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Total goal difference; 5) Total goals scored; 6) Fair-play points (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Positions by round
The following table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve the chronological evolution, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward. If a club from the Saudi Professional League wins the King Cup, they will qualify for the AFC Champions League, unless they have already qualified for it through their league position. In this case, an additional AFC Champions League group stage berth will be given to the 3rd placed team, and the AFC Champions League play-off round spot will be given to 4th.
| Leader and AFC Champions League group stage | |
| Relegation to MS League |
Results
Season statistics
- As of 27 June 2022
Scoring
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Odion Ighalo | Al-Shabab/Al-Hilal | 24 |
| 2 | Romarinho | Al-Ittihad | 20 |
| Talisca | Al-Nassr | ||
| 4 |  Léandre Tawamba | Al-Taawoun | 18 |
| 5 |  Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Nassr/Al-Ittihad | 15 |
| 6 | Emilio Zelaya | Damac | 13 |
| Karim El Berkaoui | Al-Raed | ||
| Carlos | Al-Shabab | ||
 Moussa Marega | Al-Hilal | ||
| 10 | Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | 11 |
Hat-tricks
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Ittihad | Al-Ahli | 4–3 (A) | 26 February 2022 | |
| Odion Ighalo | Al-Hilal | Al-Ahli | 4–2 (H) | 18 March 2022 | |
| Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | Damac | 3–0 (A) | 29 May 2022 |
- Notes
(H) – Home; (A) – Away
Clean sheets
| Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vladimir Stojković | Al-Fayha | 13 |
| 2 | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | 12 |
| 3 | Abdullah Al-Mayouf | Al-Hilal | 11 |
| 4 |  Maksym Koval | Al-Fateh | 9 |
| Fawaz Al-Qarni | Al-Shabab | ||
| 6 | Moustapha Zeghba | Damac | 8 |
| Martín Campaña | Al-Batin | ||
| 8 | Raïs M'Bolhi | Al-Ettifaq | 7 |
| Abdelali Mhamdi | Abha | ||
| Mustafa Malayekah | Al-Faisaly |
Discipline
Player
- Most yellow cards: 10
Saeed Al-Rubaie (Al-Ettifaq)
Ismael (Al-Faisaly)
- Most red cards: 2
Marwane Saâdane (Al-Fateh)- Ammar Al-Daheem (Al-Fateh)
- Abdullah Al-Shammeri (Al-Hazem)
- Mohammed Al-Khabrani (Al-Ahli)
Éver Banega (Al-Shabab)- Talisca (Al-Nassr)
Club
- Most yellow cards: 77
- Al-Ahli
- Al-Taawoun
- Most red cards: 8
- Al-Ettifaq
Attendances
By round
| Round | Total | GP. | Avg. Per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 38,554 | 8 | 4,820 |
| Round 2 | 43,357 | 8 | 5,420 |
| Round 3 | 46,759 | 8 | 5,845 |
| Round 4 | 66,838 | 8 | 8,355 |
| Round 5 | 50,724 | 8 | 6,341 |
| Round 6 | 73,053 | 8 | 9,132 |
| Round 7 | 39,761 | 8 | 4,971 |
| Round 8 | 63,970 | 8 | 7,997 |
| Round 9 | 69,559 | 8 | 8,695 |
| Round 10 | 59,643 | 8 | 7,456 |
| Round 11 | 99,764 | 8 | 12,471 |
| Round 12 | 43,070 | 8 | 5,384 |
| Round 13 | 102,742 | 8 | 12,843 |
| Round 14 | 60,736 | 8 | 7,592 |
| Round 15 | 30,641 | 8 | 3,831 |
| Round 16 | 61,124 | 8 | 7,641 |
| Round 17 | 44,604 | 8 | 5,576 |
| Round 18 | 58,788 | 8 | 7,349 |
| Round 19 | 44,528 | 8 | 5,566 |
| Round 20 | 40,133 | 7 | 5,734 |
| Round 21 | 39,750 | 8 | 4,969 |
| Round 22 | 48,731 | 8 | 6,092 |
| Round 23 | 65,566 | 8 | 8,196 |
| Round 24 | 86,528 | 8 | 10,816 |
| Round 25 | 90,813 | 7 | 12,974 |
| Round 26 | 50,955 | 8 | 6,370 |
| Round 27 | 119,916 | 7 | 17,131 |
| Round 28 | 51,816 | 8 | 6,477 |
| Round 29 | 85,769 | 8 | 10,722 |
| Round 30 | 90,487 | 8 | 11,311 |
| Total | 1,868,679 | 237 | 7,885 |