The Saudi Pro League’s Historic Three-Way Title Race 

posted on: Mar 11, 2026

By Jake Harris / Arab America Contributing Writer

It is no secret that in recent years the Saudi Pro League has received unprecedented financial investment. The league has signed veteran stars from Europe’s top league, becoming arguably the most elite soccer league outside of Europe. The Saudi Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has 75 percent stakes in the big four Saudi soccer clubs: Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli. Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli are currently involved in a historic race for the league title. 

The Saudi Pro League after 25 matches

Al-Hilal currently have 18 wins, 7 draws, and 0 defeats and sit in 3rd place, a demonstration as to how dominant all three clubs have been this season. Al-Nassr, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the sports’ all time greats currently sit top of the league table with 21 wins, 1 draw, and 3 defeats. In 2nd place sits Al-Ahli, the Jeddah based club sits 2nd with 19 wins, 5 draws and only 1 defeat. Only 3 points (1 win worth of points) separate first placed Al-Nassr from 3rd placed Al-Hilal. No matter which club is crowned champion after 34 matches, the 2 that finish behind will feel unlucky to not win it. Especially when in years past such results would have been good enough to win the league. 

Al-Nassr storm back to the top

Al-Nassr had to climb their way out of a major hole midway through the season. Their only three losses came consecutively. This put Al-Nassr 7 points behind league leaders Al-Hilal. The losses were to their main title rivals respectively, making the results even more devastating at the time. The narratives being peddled in the media is that of Al-Nassr once again being close but not close enough. Disappointment over what was seen as another season where Ronaldo would fail to win the Saudi Pro League. Al-Nassr have won eleven matches in a row since this three game slide, bringing them back to the top of the table. 

Al-Hilal chase an undefeated season

Al-Hilal, the most historically successful Saudi club will feel unlucky to sit in 3rd with no losses for the whole season. After an almost flawless start to the season, three consecutive draws have let Al-Nassr make up ground and pass them in the title race. Despite this, they have it all in front of them, with only one or two slip ups from Al-Nassr needed to get back to the top of the table. Al-Hilal play Al-Nassr on the final day of the season on May 7th, a Shakespearean coincidence that the two giants of Riyadh meet on the final day, in what could be a title decider. Al-Hilal continue to chase the invincible season, similar to English club Arsenal, who won the English Premier League title without a single loss in 2004

Al-Ahli chase the title in 2nd

Al-Ahli sit just 2 points behind Al-Nassr at the top of the league. Their English Striker Ivan Toney was a prolific goalscorer in England before making the move this summer to Saudi Arabia. Toney’s goalscoring has transferred over to his new team as the Englishman has netted 30 goals in all competitions. The club had a modest start to the season in comparison to their title rivals, drawing a number of games including a 3-3 thriller with Al-Hilal. Their last defeat came on the 26th of December. Since the new year, Al-Ahli have been nearly flawless, like their rivals, with 13 wins in their last 14 matches. Al-Ahli play Al-Nassr on the 28th of April, a game that could prove to be a title decider. 

The Iran War, and the safety of playing on

The 2026 Iran War in the region continues to fuel speculation as to possible disruption in the of the season. US military bases in Saudi Arabia have been targets of Iranian drone strikes. American officials have evacuated personnel from their embassy. Al-Ahli’s Asian Champions League match against Qatari club Al-Duhail was postponed due to the security situation in the region.  The AFC Champions League is a tournament comprising the top teams across the Asian continent. Despite the postponement in the continental competition, the Saudi Pro League plays on, for now. In the midst of the race for the title, the safety of the fans, players, and coaches must be paramount. 

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