Saudi Pro League announces updated schedule and venues for rounds 13-21

The Saudi Pro League has announced the updated calendar for the 2026-2027 Roshn League season, including the dates and venues for matches from rounds 13 to 21, following a comprehensive review prompted by the rescheduling of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which created additional windows for league fixtures.

The league explained that the review aimed to make use of these extra periods to redistribute the remaining rounds more evenly throughout the season. This is intended to ease fixture congestion, improve rest and recovery times for clubs—especially during the decisive stages—while considering both domestic and international commitments and ensuring competitive fairness.

The revised calendar sees several rounds redistributed over the remaining months: one round in November, four in December, and four starting in January, in addition to the completion of the 17th round, which extends from December. February will feature four rounds, March two, April three, and May four rounds.

Previously, the original calendar did not include league matches in January, and the number of rounds in April and May has now been reduced to seven from the previous eleven. This adjustment is expected to alleviate fixture congestion in the final stages of the season, particularly as they coincide with the crucial phases of domestic and continental competitions.

A review of rest periods for clubs participating in international competitions showed that the average rest days between matches will rise to about 4.8 days after the redistribution, compared to around 3.4 days previously. There will also be a closer alignment in rest periods between clubs playing internationally and the rest of the league during the second half of the season.

The league noted that the review process included workshops with all clubs, during which the proposed distribution of rounds was presented and issues related to participation, rest periods, travel requirements, and club feedback were discussed and considered within the competition's organizational and operational requirements. The league will finalize the schedule in accordance with its approved powers and regulations, taking into account all club commitments and the impact of any changes on other fixtures.

It was emphasized that the update is limited to rescheduling the rounds, while maintaining the sequence of fixtures between clubs as originally approved and announced at the start of the season. The core criteria for building the schedule remain in place to preserve competitive fairness and address the interests of clubs and the competition.

The league has approved the detailed schedule for rounds 13 to 21, which includes 81 matches across nine rounds, to be played from November 26, 2026, to January 30, 2027. Match dates, times, and venues have been set in coordination with relevant authorities, considering venue readiness and operational requirements.

Regarding postponed matches from round nine, the league stated that their dates have been set according to the commitments of clubs in domestic and international competitions. The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Nassr match will be played on November 20, 2026, while Al-Riyadh vs. Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Shabab will take place on December 21, 2026, taking advantage of the Saudi Super Cup period when these four clubs are not participating, and considering their Asian commitments.

The league explained that rescheduling some rounds has resulted in several matches coinciding with pre-planned maintenance and turf work at certain stadiums. As a result, five matches have been moved to King Abdullah Sports City in Buraidah: Al-Faisaly vs. Al-Dariyah and Al-Fayha vs. Al-Fateh (both moved from Al-Majma'ah Sports City), Al-Hazem vs. Al-Nassr and Al-Kholood vs. Al-Khaleej (both moved from Al-Hazem Club Stadium in Ar Rass), and Al-Taawoun vs. Al-Fateh (moved from Al-Taawoun Club Stadium).

The alternative venues were determined in coordination with relevant authorities, ensuring their technical and operational readiness and allowing sufficient time to complete maintenance and turf work.

The league stressed that the updated calendar reflects its commitment to adapting to developments affecting the sports schedule and to optimizing match distribution for the best possible balance between competition regularity, club workload, rest periods, and fan experience, in the interests of the competition and participating clubs.