Billion-Dollar Saudi Pro Soccer League Embarrassed As Only 390 People Watch Showdown Match Between Al-Fayha FC & Al-Riyadh SC

The Saudi Pro League experienced humiliation as just 390 spectators arrived to watch the showdown between the professional football clubs Al-Fayha FC and Al-Riyadh SC.

This match occurred on Sunday and featured players including Renzo Lopez, Gojko Cimirot, Mohammed Al Baqawi and Chris Smalling.

This was officially the lowest attendance of the 2024/25 season, a poor turnout for an organization hoping to become one of the world’s top football leagues.

Even though it will take a while before attendance drops to less than the previous season’s low of 117-capacity crowd, the lowest attendance during the 2019/20 season was 581, meaning that the Saudi Pro League still has some issues to address.

Transfermarkt reported that more than 75% of Saudi Pro League clubs’ average attendance figures are under 10,000 this season.

Even the Saudi Arabian professional football club, Al-Nassr FC, has consistently struggled to draw in large crowds. Over half averaged less than 5,000 during the previous season.

On December 28, 2023, Al-Riyadh’s home match against Damac FC witnessed a minimal attendance of 299 spectators in the Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium, where the home team gained a 1-0 victory.

On February 23, Al Riyadh tied 1-1 with Al-Raed in front of only 292 spectators. This match occurred at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, which has a maximum capacity of 22,188.

The Saudi Pro League includes superstars like Cristiano Renaldo, who is being paid $220 million annually, raising questions about whether the league can attract big enough crowds to make the numbers work. 

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