Al Hilal v Al Ahli: What the numbers say about Saudi football’s long-running rivalry

Al Hilal and Al Ahli have produced one of Saudi football’s most closely followed rivalries, with their meetings stretching back more than five decades across the Saudi league and other competitions.

The two clubs command huge support across the country, with fan bases numbering in the millions, and their fixtures regularly attract significant attention from Saudi football followers.

Their first recorded meeting took place in the Saudi league on 11 December 1974. The contest ended 1-1, giving the rivalry a balanced beginning as both sides shared the points.

Since then, Al Hilal and Al Ahli have faced one another 103 times in the Saudi league. Al Hilal have won 47 of those matches, while Al Ahli have claimed victory in 24. The remaining 32 league fixtures have ended in draws.

Those figures underline Al Hilal’s advantage in the league record, although Al Ahli have also enjoyed a number of significant results during the rivalry’s long history.

Record across all competitions

The clubs have met 147 times in all competitions, with the overall record also showing a clear advantage for Al Hilal.

Al Hilal, known by the nickname “Al-Zaeem”, have won 64 of those matches. Al Ahli, often referred to as “Al-Raqi”, have recorded 40 victories, while the two teams have drawn 32 times.

The rivalry has therefore extended well beyond league football, with the two Saudi giants repeatedly appearing on opposite sides in different competitions. Each encounter has added to a history that began with that 1-1 draw in 1974.

Al Hilal’s larger number of victories gives them the stronger head-to-head record in both the Saudi league and the overall figures provided for their meetings. Al Ahli’s total of 40 wins across all competitions, however, reflects the competitiveness that has accompanied many of the clubs’ clashes.

With 103 league meetings and 147 matches listed across all competitions, the fixture remains a major part of Saudi football’s history. The size of both clubs’ support ensures that interest extends beyond the result itself, as fans continue to follow the latest chapter in a contest that has been played over more than 50 years.

The historical record presented for the rivalry is:

– Saudi league meetings: 103 – Al Hilal wins in the Saudi league: 47 – Al Ahli wins in the Saudi league: 24 – Saudi league draws: 32 – Meetings in all competitions: 147 – Al Hilal wins in all competitions: 64 – Al Ahli wins in all competitions: 40 – Draws in all competitions: 32