Saudi King’s Cup 2026-27: Opening ties, dates and where to watch

The Saudi King’s Cup 2026-27 begins on 16 August, with the competition’s opening round including a meeting between Al Wehda and Al Shabab, while Al Raed face Al Hilal and Al Nassr visit Al Diriyah.

The tournament remains one of the most significant competitions in Saudi football, despite the intense battle among the leading clubs for the Roshn Saudi League title. Its single-elimination format has regularly produced surprises, adding to its appeal for supporters and clubs alike.

All participating teams enter the competition in the round of 32. Fixtures are played over one match from that stage through to the final, with a new draw held after every round to determine the next ties.

The round of 32 is scheduled for 16-19 August 2026. The last-16 ties are listed for 19-20 October 2026, while the quarter-finals are scheduled for 22-23 February 2025. The semi-finals are listed for 4-5 May 2026, with the date of the final still to be confirmed.

The dates shown for the quarter-finals and semi-finals precede the start of the 2026-27 competition in the published schedule.

Round-of-32 fixtures

The first round begins on Sunday, 16 August, when Al Bukayriyah host Al Hazem at 19:15 Saudi time (20:15 UAE) at Al Bukayriyah Club. Al-Orobah play Abha at 19:40 (20:40) at Al-Orobah Club, before Al Wehda meet Al Shabab at 21:00 (22:00) at King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.

On Monday, 17 August, Al Anwar face Al Ahli at 19:00 (20:00) at Al Anwar Club. Al Zulfi play Riyadh at 19:15 (20:15) at Al Zulfi Club, while Al Tai take on Al Qadsiah at the same time at Prince Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Jalawi Stadium.

Al Adalah host Al Fayha at 21:00 (22:00) at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium. At the same time, Al Raed face Al Hilal at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah.

The schedule continues on Tuesday, 18 August. Al Okhdood meet Al Khaleej at 19:05 (20:05) at Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium. Al Jabalain play Al Ettifaq at 19:15 (20:15) at Prince Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Jalawi Stadium, while Al Najma face Al Ittihad at the same time at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah.

Al Faisaly host NEOM at 21:00 (22:00) at Al Majma’ah, and Al Diriyah play Al Nassr at the same time at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City.

The final four fixtures take place on Wednesday, 19 August. Damac play Al Taawoun at 19:15 (20:15) at Damac Club, while Jeddah meet Al Kholood at 19:30 (20:30) at Jeddah Club.

Al Ula face Al Fateh at 21:00 (22:00) at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Stadium.

Broadcast details

Thmanyah holds the rights to broadcast the Saudi King’s Cup in the Middle East and North Africa through to the 2030-31 season. Matches can also be watched online through the Thmanyah application.

Viewers outside the region can use NordVPN to watch the matches. The source also promotes NordVPN as offering a secure and fast internet connection.

Most successful clubs

Al Ahli are the competition’s most successful club, with 13 titles. Their victories came in 1962, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 2011, 2012 and 2016. They have also finished runners-up in 1974, 1976, 1984, 2014 and 2017.

Al Hilal and Al Ittihad have each won the cup 10 times. Al Hilal’s triumphs came in 1980, 1982, 1984, 1989, 2015, 2017, 2019-20, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2025-26; they were runners-up in 1963, 1968, 1976, 1981, 1985, 1987, 2010 and 2022.

Al Ittihad won in 1958, 1959, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1988, 2010, 2013, 2018 and 2025, and finished second in 1957, 1964, 1978, 1981, 1985, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2019.

Al Nassr have six titles, won in 1974, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1987 and 1990. Their runners-up finishes came in 1967, 1971, 1972, 1988, 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2024.

Al Shabab have won three times, in 2008, 2009 and 2014, and were runners-up in 1969, 1979 and 2013. Al Ettifaq and Al Wehda have two titles each. Al Ettifaq won in 1968 and 1985, while Al Wehda triumphed in 1957 and 1966.

Al Taawoun, Al Faisaly and Al Fayha have each won the competition once, in 2019, 2021 and 2022 respectively.