2020–21 Saudi Pro League


The 2020–21 Saudi Pro League was the 46th edition of the top-tier Saudi football league, established in 1974, and the 13th edition since it was rebranded as the Saudi Pro League in 2008, the season began on 17 October 2020 as a consequence of the postponement of the previous season's conclusion due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fixtures for the 2020–21 season were announced on 29 September 2020.

Overview

Al-Hilal are the defending champions after winning the Pro League for the 16th time last season. Al-Ain, Al-Batin, and Al-Qadsiah join as the three promoted clubs from the 2019–20 MS League. They replace Al-Adalah, Al-Fayha, and Al-Hazem who were relegated to the 2020–21 MS League.
On 29 March, the Ministry of Sports announced that fans will be allowed to return to stadiums for the final three rounds of matches with a maximum of 40% capacity.
On 23 May, Al-Hilal secured their seventeenth league title with one match to spare following a 1–0 away win against Al-Taawoun. It was also the club's second consecutive title and fourth in the last five seasons. Al-Ain were the first team to be relegated following a 2–0 defeat away to Al-Nassr on 14 May. In the final matchday, both Al-Qadsiah and Al-Wehda were relegated following a draw with Abha and a loss against Al-Shabab respectively.

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-Batin, who were promoted following Al-Bukayriyah's 1–1 draw with Al-Ain on 1 September 2020. Al-Batin will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence. Al-Batin were crowned champions following their 1–1 draw with Al-Bukayriyah on the final matchday.
The second club to be promoted was Al-Ain, who were promoted on 10 September 2020 following their 2–0 win at home against Ohod. Al-Ain will play in the top flight of Saudi football for the first time in history. Al-Ain became the first team from the Al Bahah Region to play in the Pro League.
The third and final club to be promoted was Al-Qadsiah, following their 3–1 home win against an already promoted Al-Batin side on 10 September 2020. Al-Qadsiah will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence.
Teams who were relegated to the MS League
The first club to be relegated was Al-Adalah, who were relegated after only a year in the top flight following a 1–1 home draw with Al-Raed.
On 4 September 2020, Al-Hazem became the second club to be relegated following a 1–0 defeat away to Al-Shabab. Al-Hazem were relegated after two years in the top flight.
On 9 September 2020, Al-Fayha became the third and final club to be relegated following a 1–0 defeat away to Al-Taawoun in the final matchday. Al-Fayha were relegated after three years in the Pro League. This was Al-Fayha's first relegation from the top flight of Saudi football.

Stadiums

TeamLocationStadiumCapacity
AbhaAbhaPrince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium
Al-AhliJeddahKing Abdullah Sports City
Al-AinAl BahahKing Saud Sport City Stadium
Al-BatinHafar al-BatinAl-Batin Club Stadium
Al-EttifaqDammamPrince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium
Al-FaisalyHarmahAl Majma'ah Sports City
Al-FatehAl-HasaPrince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium
Al-HilalRiyadhKing Fahd International Stadium
Al-IttihadJeddahKing Abdullah Sports City
Al-NassrRiyadhKing Saud University Stadium
Al-QadsiahKhobarPrince Saud bin Jalawi Stadium
Al-RaedBuraidahKing Abdullah Sport City Stadium
Al-ShababRiyadhKing Fahd International Stadium
Al-TaawounBuraidahKing Abdullah Sport City Stadium
Al-WehdaMeccaKing Abdul Aziz Stadium
DamacKhamis MushaitPrince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium

1: Al-Faisaly play their home games in Al Majma'ah.
2: Al-Hilal and Al-Shabab also use Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium as a home stadium.

Personnel and kits

1 On the back of the strip.2 On the right sleeve of the strip.3 On the shorts.

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.
ClubPlayer 1Player 2Player 3Player 4Player 5Player 6Player 7Former Players
Abha

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.

Season statistics

Scoring

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1

Hat-tricks

PlayerForAgainstResultDate

Clean sheets

RankPlayerClubClean
sheets
1

Discipline

Player

Club

  • Most yellow cards: 78
  • * Al-Taawoun
  • Most red cards: 7
  • * Al-Qadsiah