Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Pro League (SPL) was ranked the top domestic league in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions for 2024.

The SPL’s international presence continues to grow, with TV viewership surpassing 200 million, and broadcasts of three matches per week reaching an average of 160 countries. This summer, 14 SPL players competed in Euro 2024, and 10 of the world’s top 100 players joined the league.

This key information was revealed in SPL's third General Assembly, held on Thursday under the chairmanship of SPL Chairman Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Afaleq. Representatives from 16 member clubs were present, with only Al-Orobah and Al-Riyadh Clubs absent from the meeting.

Chairman Al-Afaleq expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom's leadership for their unwavering support of the SPL, emphasizing the importance of their role in the development of the Saudi sports sector. He also extended special thanks to , Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal for his continued support, which has significantly contributed to the progress of Saudi sports.

The General Assembly provided an update on the SPL’s achievements since the last meeting, focusing on governance improvements and growth in commercial revenues. Key developments included the updated organizational structure, the establishment of new departments, and the implementation of world-class internal regulations. These regulations cover financial management, the board of directors' charter, and the creation of committees for nomination, compensation, and audit.

A new partnership with ticketing platform "Webook" was highlighted for enhancing the fan experience on SPL matchdays.

The General Assembly approved the SPL’s financial statements and appointed Dr. Mohammed Al Amri and Co (BDO) as the independent legal accountant for a term of four financial years. In his concluding remarks, Chairman Al-Afaleq stressed the importance of continued collaboration between the SPL and its member clubs to elevate the league’s technical, commercial, and organizational standards, aiming to position the SPL among the world’s top leagues.