Al Hilal’s Saudi league record faces renewed challenge from Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli

Al Hilal remain the undisputed leading force of the professional era in the Roshn Saudi League, despite failing to win the title in either of the past two seasons.

The new Saudi league campaign begins on Thursday with three fixtures: Abha against Al Hazem, Al Shabab against Al Qadsiah, and Al Ahli against Al Diriyah.

It will be the 19th edition of the Saudi league since the competition entered the professional era, beginning with the 2008-09 season.

Across the previous 18 campaigns, Al Hilal have established themselves as the dominant club in Saudi football. They have won the league title eight times during that period, accounting for almost half of all championships available.

That record places them in a category of their own. Al Hilal’s eight professional-era titles equal the combined total won by Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli.

Al Nassr are the second-most successful side in the professional-era league, with four championships. Their most recent success came last season, ending a seven-year wait for the title.

Al Ittihad rank third with three league victories. Their latest championship came in the season before last, when they were managed by French coach Laurent Blanc.

Al Ahli have won the title once in the professional era. That triumph came during the 2015-16 season under their historic manager Christian Gross.

That is the same number of championships won by Al Fateh and Al Shabab, who also have one professional-era league title each.

Although Al Hilal have not lifted the trophy during the past two seasons, their overall record remains significantly stronger than that of their main domestic rivals. Their eight titles account for nearly 50% of all league championships awarded since professional football was introduced in Saudi Arabia.

The club will begin its latest campaign on Friday, when it hosts Al Faisaly at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

Before that match, the opening-day schedule will see Abha meet Al Hazem, Al Shabab face Al Qadsiah and Al Ahli take on Al Diriyah on Thursday. The fixtures will mark the start of another season in which the leading Saudi clubs will seek to challenge Al Hilal’s long-standing record.

The new campaign therefore begins with Al Hilal still holding the clearest historical advantage. Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli together have matched the capital club’s title count, but only by combining their successes across the entire professional era.