Saudi First Division 2026-27: what to know as new campaign kicks off

The Saudi First Division League season begins on Friday, 21 August 2026, with the campaign scheduled to run until May 2027.

Al-Okhdood, Al-Zulfi, Al-Najma and Al-Raed are among the clubs listed as early winners in the opening standings, while Al-Wehda, Al-Adalah, Al Bukayriyah and Al Anwar have each taken a point from their first match.

The competition is expected to produce another closely fought promotion race after a number of challenging seasons in Saudi Arabia’s second tier.

Al-Abha won the title last season and were promoted to the Roshn Saudi League alongside Al-Faisaly and Al-Diriyah. Damac, Al-Okhdood and Al-Najma were relegated from the Roshn Saudi League.

Standings

The published table lists Al-Okhdood at the top with three points from one match, two goals scored and none conceded. Al-Zulfi are second, also with three points and a goal difference of plus two.

Al-Najma sit third with three points, followed by Al-Raed in fourth. Both Al-Wehda and Al-Adalah have one point, while Al Bukayriyah and Al Anwar are also shown with a point apiece.

Damac, Al Ula, Al Jabalain, Jeddah, Al-Saqer, Hajer and Al-Jandal are listed below them, with the latter having played once and recorded a goal difference of minus one. Al-Orobah, Al Tai and Al-Jeel also have one defeat in the table.

The standings are:

1. Al-Okhdood – 1 played, 1 win, 0 draws, 0 defeats, 2 goals for, 0 against, +2, 3 points 2. Al-Zulfi – 1, 1, 0, 0, 2-0, +2, 3 points 3. Al-Najma – 1, 1, 0, 0, 2-1, +1, 3 points 4. Al-Raed – 1, 1, 0, 0, 1-0, +1, 3 points 5. Al-Wehda – 1, 0, 1, 0, 1-1, 0, 1 point 6. Al-Adalah – 1, 0, 1, 0, 1-1, 0, 1 point 7. Al Bukayriyah – 1, 0, 1, 0, 0-0, 0, 1 point 8. Al Anwar – 1, 0, 1, 0, 0-0, 0, 1 point 9. Damac – 0, 0, 0, 0, 0-0, 0, 0 points 10. Al Ula – 0, 0, 0, 0, 0-0, 0, 0 points 11. Al Jabalain – 0, 0, 0, 0, 0-0, 0, 0 points 12. Jeddah – 0, 0, 0, 0, 0-0, 0, 0 points 13. Al-Saqer – 0, 0, 0, 0, 0-0, 0, 0 points 14. Hajer – 0, 0, 0, 0, 0-0, 0, 0 points 15. Al-Jandal – 1, 0, 0, 1, 1-2, -1, 0 points 16. Al-Orobah – 1, 0, 0, 1, 0-1, -1, 0 points 17. Al Tai – 1, 0, 0, 1, 0-2, -2, 0 points 18. Al-Jeel – 1, 0, 0, 1, 0-2, -2, 0 points

Opening fixtures

The first scheduled games include Al-Jeel against Al-Zulfi on Friday, 21 August at 18:50 Saudi time, or 19:50 in the United Arab Emirates, at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City. Al Bukayriyah host Al Anwar at 19:15, while Al-Wehda face Al-Adalah at 20:50 at King Abdulaziz Sports City.

On Saturday, 22 August, Al-Najma meet Al-Jandal at 19:15 at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraidah. Al Tai play Al-Okhdood at 19:20 at Prince Abdulaziz bin مساعد bin Jalawi Stadium, before Al-Orobah take on Al-Raed at 20:50 at Al-Orobah Club Stadium.

The Sunday programme starts with Hajer against Jeddah at 18:50 at Hajer Club Stadium. Al-Saqer play Damac at 19:15 at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraidah, while Al Ula face Al Jabalain at 21:00 at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Stadium.

The next round begins on Wednesday, 26 August, with Al-Adalah against Al Tai at 18:45 at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City. Al-Zulfi host Al-Wehda at 19:05, followed by Al-Okhdood against Al Bukayriyah at 20:50 at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City.

On Thursday, Al Jabalain play Al-Jeel and Jeddah meet Al-Najma, both at 19:20. Al-Jandal face Al-Saqer at 20:50 at Al Jouf University Stadium.

Friday’s matches are Al Anwar against Al Ula at 18:55, Al-Raed against Hajer at 19:05 and Damac against Al-Orobah at 20:50.

How to watch

Thamanya has secured the rights to broadcast the Saudi First Division League during the 2026-27 season. All matches are expected to be available via satellite broadcast without the need for an additional receiver.

Viewers wanting to stream the games can use the Thamanya application. The app can be downloaded from the relevant app stores, with registration required, and matches are available to watch free of charge.

The satellite details listed are: Arabsat, frequency 11919, horizontal polarisation (H), symbol rate 27500 and error correction rate 3/4.

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