Business · Companies · 10 hrs ago
Saudi club buyers focus on finances as privatization advances
Saudi Arabia’s football club privatization is moving into a phase where investors are weighing finances more closely than a club’s fame alone.
They are examining revenue, debts, governance and prospects for growth before deciding what a club is worth.
More than 40 local and international investors had formally expressed interest by June, according to a sports management professor citing a Ministry of Sport official.
A recent example is Al Hilal, where Kingdom Holding acquired 70% for 840 million riyals in September, valuing the club’s equity at 1.2 billion riyals.
Talks over a possible stake in Al Nassr are also under way, but no final agreement has been announced.
The privatization project began in 2023, and the ministry has said it received more than 80 investment-interest requests covering 22 clubs.
Buyers may seek lower prices, staged payments or added contractual guarantees, while clubs are expected to face stronger pressure to control costs and build regular income.
Long-term financial sustainability will shape the project’s success, alongside the need to remain competitive on the field.
Saudi football club privatization is moving into a phase where finances weigh more heavily in valuations and acquisition decisions.
Investors are examining clubs’ revenues, debts, governance and prospects for growth, rather than relying only on their fame and fan bases.
More than 40 local and international investors had formally expressed interest in Saudi clubs by June, according to the article.
Saudi club Al Hilal was valued at 1.2 billion riyals in an acquisition of a 70% stake completed in September.
The privatization project has widened ownership and the Ministry of Sport has reported more than 80 investment expressions of interest covering 22 clubs.
- Who
- Local and international investors, including a consortium led by RedBird Capital, are considering Saudi football clubs.
- What
- Investors are increasingly assessing clubs’ finances as privatization advances.
- When
- The article was published on October 29, 2026; it reports developments through that year.
- Where
- Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Investors are weighing the potential for sustainable returns, including clubs’ revenues, debts, governance and growth prospects.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The investment and privatization project began with the Public Investment Fund taking 75% stakes in Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli.
The Ministry of Sport offered Al Riyadh, Al Fateh, Abha, Al Tai and Al Shoulla to investors.
Procedures began to transfer the remaining 25% stakes in the four clubs to the Public Investment Fund.
Kingdom Holding completed its acquisition of 70% of Al Hilal for 840 million riyals.
Al Eqtisadiah reported that the Ministry of Sport had received more than 80 expressions of investment interest covering 22 clubs.
- Investor interest
- More than 40 local and international investors had formally expressed interest by June
- Al Hilal acquisition
- Kingdom Holding acquired 70% for 840 million riyals
- Al Hilal valuation
- Equity value of 1.2 billion riyals; enterprise value of about 1.4 billion riyals
- Expressions of interest
- More than 80 requests covering 22 clubs
- Salary costs
- The Saudi league’s fixed wage bill was estimated to have fallen by about 13% this season
What people are saying
Capital has not left Saudi football, but it is now demanding discounts on acquisition prices.
Investors’ interest in Saudi clubs remains promising.
Privatization is a long-term economic project, and short-term fluctuations do not necessarily mean the sector has become less attractive.