Saudi Pro League reveals criteria for 2026-2027 season schedule

The Saudi Pro League announced on Wednesday the criteria and factors used to construct the 2026-2027 Roshn Saudi League match schedule, which will run from August 13, 2026, to May 29, 2027, ahead of the full fixture list release.

The league explained that publishing these criteria aims to clarify the foundations for distributing and sequencing matches, especially given the high number of international, continental, and domestic commitments in the upcoming season. The move is intended to enhance transparency for clubs, fans, and the media regarding the scheduling process.

Workshops and club classification

The league noted that a workshop was held with all participating clubs, during which the scheduling mechanism and calendar were presented. Clubs were also given the opportunity to submit requests regarding the order and timing of their matches.

Eight Saudi clubs will compete in four international tournaments next season, coinciding with FIFA international breaks and Saudi national team fixtures, which will occupy around 80 days of the calendar. In addition, Saudi Arabia will host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, requiring over 44 days, not including the period needed to hand over stadiums before the tournament.

Main factors and criteria

The league stated that the schedule was built on three main factors: scheduling standards, club classification based on sporting performance, and stadium readiness and availability. Ten key criteria were adopted, including ensuring that no club plays more than two consecutive home or away matches, and that each club plays one home and one away match in both the first and last two rounds of the season.

The criteria also require that the rest period between two consecutive matches for any club must not be less than two days, regardless of the competition, to protect player welfare and ensure clubs' participation in various tournaments remains consistent.

Club classification and stadium readiness

Regarding club classification, teams were divided into four tiers: A and B, each with five clubs, and C and D, each with four clubs. This classification aims to balance the sequence of matches so that no club faces tier A teams in two consecutive rounds. The evaluation is based on results from the past three seasons, with greater weight given to the most recent season.

As for stadiums, the league took into account operational requirements and availability, considering the demands of hosting regional, continental, and international events, as these factors significantly impact scheduling.

The league confirmed that the schedule was developed after studying all these factors together, to ensure the competition's regularity and fairness, accommodate clubs' various commitments, and provide a better experience for fans during a season marked by an exceptional number of sporting obligations.

The Saudi Pro League is set to announce the full 2026-2027 Roshn Saudi League fixture list in the next phase, detailing the distribution of matches throughout the season.