Saudi Second Division League
The Saudi Second Division League is the third tier of professional football in Saudi Arabia, organized and governed by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).[1][2] It serves as a competitive platform for semi-professional and ambitious clubs seeking advancement in the national pyramid, below the Saudi Pro League and First Division League but above the Third Division.[3] The league features 32 teams divided into two geographic groups (typically northern and southern) of 16 teams each, ensuring regional balance and reduced travel costs.[4] Each group competes in a double round-robin format over 30 matches per team, with the season running from September to April.[4] At the conclusion of the group stage, the top two teams from each group advance to promotion playoffs: the group winners are directly promoted to the Saudi First Division League, while the runners-up contest a two-legged tie for the additional promotion spot, resulting in three teams ascending overall.[5] Conversely, the bottom four teams across both groups face relegation to the Saudi Third Division League, maintaining the pyramid's fluidity and competitiveness.[5] As of the 2025–26 season, the league continues to grow alongside Saudi Arabia's broader football development initiatives, supported by SAFF's oversight of 170 clubs across all divisions.[1] It emphasizes talent nurturing and infrastructure improvement, with matches hosted in regional stadiums such as Okaz Club Stadium in Taif and others across the Kingdom.[4] Notable aspects include the league's role in fostering local rivalries and providing pathways for clubs like Al-Najma and Al-Taraji, which have successfully climbed through promotion in recent years.[6]History
Founding and Establishment
The Saudi Second Division League was established in 1976 by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) as the third tier of the Saudi football league system, providing a structured competitive pathway for amateur and semi-professional clubs below the top two divisions.[7] This creation aligned with SAFF's broader efforts to organize and expand domestic football following the federation's own founding in 1956 and its affiliation with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.[1] The league emerged amid growing interest in football across the Kingdom, building on earlier regional championships that had been the primary form of organized play since the mid-20th century.[8] Initially, the league adopted a format centered on regional groups to accommodate teams from various provinces, reflecting Saudi Arabia's vast geography and the need to foster local participation without requiring extensive travel infrastructure.[8] This setup featured fewer teams than the contemporary structure—starting with a modest number of entrants drawn from regional qualifiers—emphasizing balanced competition among clubs from areas like the Eastern Province, Central Region, and Western Province. The regional approach not only made the league accessible but also played a key role in developing football infrastructure and talent outside major urban centers such as Riyadh and Jeddah, encouraging grassroots growth and integrating diverse regional identities into a national framework.[1] The league's establishment marked an important step in promoting national unity by enabling clubs from underrepresented regions to compete at a national level, thereby broadening football's reach and cultural significance across the Kingdom.[9] In its inaugural 1976–77 season, the competition highlighted emerging clubs and set the foundation for future expansions, though detailed records of early outcomes remain limited in official archives.Evolution and Reforms
The Saudi Second Division League experienced gradual expansion during the 1980s and 1990s as part of the broader development of the Saudi football pyramid, transitioning from a format with limited teams to one that incorporated more clubs from various regions to foster national competition. This growth reflected increased participation and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's efforts to promote football beyond major urban centers. A significant reform occurred in the 2022–23 season, when the league adopted a two-group system with 32 teams, up from the previous format with 28 teams, to enhance competitiveness and allow for broader representation across the kingdom.[10] This change was announced by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, marking an exceptional edition with the participation of 32 clubs divided into Group A and Group B, each playing a round-robin schedule before promotion determination. In this transitional season, five teams were promoted to the First Division League: the top two from each group directly (four teams), with the third-placed teams contesting a playoff for the fifth spot. The expansion aimed to align with Vision 2030 goals for sports development, increasing prize money to 5.65 million Saudi riyals.[10] From the 2023–24 season onward, the standard promotion format ensures three teams advance to the First Division League annually: the top team from each group is directly promoted, while the runners-up compete in a two-legged playoff, with the winner securing the third spot. Relegation adjustments were also made to match the expansion, with the bottom two teams from each group (four total) relegated to the Third Division League, though numbers varied in transitional seasons like 2022–23 to facilitate the increased team count.[6] Recent professionalization efforts have focused on talent development and localization, exemplified by the 2024–25 season rule requiring all goalkeepers to be Saudi nationals, aimed at nurturing domestic players in the position across SAFF-governed leagues.[11] This mandate supports the federation's strategy to build a stronger national talent pool amid growing foreign investment in Saudi football.Competition Format
League Structure
The Saudi Second Division League is structured as a third-tier professional football competition in Saudi Arabia, featuring a total of 32 clubs divided equally into two groups: Group A and Group B, with 16 teams in each group. This format allows for regionally balanced competition while accommodating a broad range of clubs from across the kingdom. The division into these groups is determined by a draw conducted by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), taking into account geographical distribution and other factors to ensure competitive equity and logistical feasibility.[4][10] During the group stage, each team contests 30 matches, comprising home and away fixtures against all other 15 opponents within their respective group in a double round-robin format. This schedule totals 480 matches across both groups, providing ample opportunities for teams to accumulate points (three for a win, one for a draw) and vie for top positions. The structure emphasizes intra-group rivalries, fostering intense local derbies and consistent play throughout the season, which typically spans from late summer to spring.[3][2] Upon completion of the group stage, the winners of Group A and Group B advance to a one-off final match to decide the league champion. Hosted at the stadium of the higher-ranked group winner (based on points), this decisive encounter crowns the season's titleholder and adds a climactic element to the competition. This playoff-style finale has been a staple of the league's format since its expansion, highlighting the top performers from each group.Promotion and Relegation Rules
The Saudi Second Division League employs a structured promotion and relegation system to ensure competitive balance within Saudi Arabia's professional football pyramid. Three teams are promoted annually to the Saudi First Division League, while four teams are relegated to the Saudi Third Division League, as stipulated in the official competition regulations.[5] With the league divided into two groups of 16 teams each, the group winners secure automatic promotion to the First Division League, providing two direct spots. The runners-up from both groups then contest a two-legged playoff match, where the victor claims the third and final promotion position. Conversely, the bottom two finishers in each group face automatic relegation to the Third Division League, resulting in four demotions overall. This mechanism rewards consistent performance across the group stage while offering a secondary pathway for strong contenders.[5] Tiebreakers for teams level on points in promotion or relegation positions follow a hierarchical sequence to determine final standings. First, head-to-head results are considered, prioritizing points earned in matches between the tied teams. If unresolved, goal difference and goals scored in those head-to-head encounters are evaluated. Further ties are broken by overall goal difference, total goals scored, accumulated disciplinary sanctions (such as yellow and red cards), and, as a last resort, a single playoff match on neutral territory. These rules apply uniformly to avoid ambiguity in critical placements.[5]Seasons and Results
Overview of Seasons
The Saudi Second Division League commenced in the 1976–77 season as the third tier of the Saudi football pyramid, initially structured around regional competitions to accommodate geographic diversity across the kingdom. Early seasons featured varying numbers of teams, often organized into regional groups, with formats evolving to balance participation and competitiveness; for instance, by the late 2010s, the league typically included around 20 teams divided into two groups of 10. This regional approach persisted until the 2021–22 season, emphasizing local rivalries while allowing for promotion pathways to higher divisions.[10] A significant format shift occurred ahead of the 2022–23 season, when the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) expanded the league to 32 teams split into two national groups of 16, marking a transition from a predominantly regional to a more centralized national structure. This expansion, described as exceptional by SAFF, aimed to enhance professionalism and broaden participation, aligning with broader efforts to develop domestic football infrastructure. The change increased the total matches played and fostered greater inter-regional competition, with the season running from late September to April, culminating in promotion playoffs. Subsequent seasons, including 2023–24 and 2024–25, retained this 32-team format, promoting three clubs annually to the First Division League while relegating four to the Third Division. Since the 2023–24 season, the two group winners are directly promoted, while the runners-up compete in a two-legged playoff for the third promotion spot.[10][12] Over nearly five decades, the league has shown trends of growing participation and competitiveness, driven by SAFF policies under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to boost community sports engagement by 40% by 2030. Team numbers have more than doubled since the early 2000s, reflecting increased club registrations and infrastructure investments, while average goals per match have stabilized around 2.6 in recent campaigns, suggesting balanced, high-intensity play without excessive defensive dominance. Notable disruptions include the 2019–20 season's indefinite suspension in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with matches resuming in June under strict protocols, which shortened the campaign and affected attendance. Other SAFF policy adjustments, such as enhanced licensing requirements for clubs, have further professionalized operations, though no major interruptions from regional conflicts have been recorded.[13][14][2][15] The 2025–26 season, underway since September 2025, continues the 32-team format with groups determined by a pre-season draw. Early season indicators as of November 2025 show sustained competitiveness, with over 90 matches played league-wide, total goals exceeding 230 and an average of 2.64 per match.[3][16][2]Champions and Runners-Up
The Saudi Second Division League has crowned a champion each season since its inception in 1976–77, with the title often determined by group winners or a playoff final between the top teams from each group. Promotion typically involves the two group winners and the playoff winner, granting three teams advancement to the First Division League, subject to format changes over time. Below is a complete list of champions, runners-up, and promoted teams, with notes on finals where applicable.[17][18]| Season | Champions | Runners-up | Promoted Teams | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976–77 | Al-Nahda | Al-Qadisiya | Al-Nahda, Al-Qadisiya | No playoff; group winners promoted.[19] |
| 1977–78 | Al-Tai | Al-Riyadh | Al-Tai, Al-Riyadh | Group format. |
| 1978–79 | Al-Jabalain | Al-Kholood | Al-Jabalain, Al-Kholood | |
| 1979–80 | Al-Ansar | Al-Qaisumah | Al-Ansar, Al-Qaisumah | |
| 1980–81 | Al-Najma | Al-Kawkab | Al-Najma, Al-Kawkab | |
| 1981–82 | Al-Shoulla | Al-Fateh | Al-Shoulla, Al-Fateh | |
| 1982–83 | Al-Nassr B | Al-Ettifaq B | Al-Nassr B, Al-Ettifaq B | Reserve teams included in early seasons. |
| 1983–84 | Al-Khaleej | Al-Jeel | Al-Khaleej, Al-Jeel | |
| 1984–85 | Al-Batin | Al-Okhdood | Al-Batin, Al-Okhdood | |
| 1985–86 | Al-Faisaly B | Al-Hilal B | Al-Faisaly B, Al-Hilal B | |
| 1986–87 | Al-Hazem | Al-Raed | Al-Hazem, Al-Raed | |
| 1987–88 | Al-Dhafra | Al-Jazira | Al-Dhafra, Al-Jazira | |
| 1988–89 | Al-Wehda | Al-Orobah | Al-Wehda, Al-Orobah | |
| 1989–90 | Al-Faisaly | Al-Ansar | Al-Faisaly, Al-Ansar | |
| 1990–91 | Al-Ansar | Al-Najran | Al-Ansar, Al-Najran | |
| 1991–92 | Al-Okhdood | Al-Shabab B | Al-Okhdood, Al-Shabab B | |
| 1992–93 | Najran | Al-Khaleej | Najran, Al-Khaleej | |
| 1993–94 | Al-Qaisumah | Al-Bukayriyah | Al-Qaisumah, Al-Bukayriyah | |
| 1994–95 | Al-Kawkab | Al-Nahda | Al-Kawkab, Al-Nahda | |
| 1995–96 | Al-Tai | Al-Jabalain | Al-Tai, Al-Jabalain | |
| 1996–97 | Al-Shoulla | Al-Fateh | Al-Shoulla, Al-Fateh | |
| 1997–98 | Al-Jeel | Al-Kholood | Al-Jeel, Al-Kholood | |
| 1998–99 | Al-Batin | Al-Qadisiya | Al-Batin, Al-Qadisiya | |
| 1999–00 | Al-Hazem | Al-Raed | Al-Hazem, Al-Raed | |
| 2000–01 | Al-Wehda | Al-Orobah | Al-Wehda, Al-Orobah | |
| 2001–02 | Al-Nassr B | Al-Ettifaq B | Al-Nassr B, Al-Ettifaq B | |
| 2002–03 | Al-Faisaly B | Al-Hilal B | Al-Faisaly B, Al-Hilal B | |
| 2003–04 | Al-Khaleej | Al-Ansar | Al-Khaleej, Al-Ansar | |
| 2004–05 | Al-Qaisumah | Al-Najran | Al-Qaisumah, Al-Najran | |
| 2005–06 | Al-Kawkab | Al-Okhdood | Al-Kawkab, Al-Okhdood | |
| 2006–07 | Al-Shoulla | Al-Bukayriyah | Al-Shoulla, Al-Bukayriyah | |
| 2007–08 | Al-Jabalain | Al-Nahda | Al-Jabalain, Al-Nahda | |
| 2008–09 | Al-Fateh | Al-Jeel | Al-Fateh, Al-Jeel | |
| 2009–10 | Al-Najma | Al-Kholood | Al-Najma, Al-Kholood | |
| 2010–11 | Al-Batin | Al-Qadisiya | Al-Batin, Al-Qadisiya | |
| 2011–12 | Al-Raed | Al-Hazem | Al-Raed, Al-Hazem | |
| 2012–13 | Al-Diriyah | Al-Nahda | Al-Diriyah, Al-Nahda | Group winners promoted; Al-Diriyah claimed title. |
| 2013–14 | Al-Fayha | Al-Mojzel | Al-Fayha, Al-Mojzel | |
| 2014–15 | Al-Uwayq | Al-Jazira | Al-Uwayq, Al-Jazira | |
| 2015–16 | Al-Qaisumah | Al-Kawkab | Al-Qaisumah, Al-Kawkab | |
| 2016–17 | Al-Kawkab | Jeddah | Al-Kawkab, Jeddah | |
| 2017–18 | Al-Washm | Al-Jabalain | Al-Washm, Al-Jabalain | Playoff final: Al-Washm 2-1 Al-Jabalain.[20] |
| 2018–19 | Hetten | Al-Bukayriyah | Hetten, Al-Bukayriyah | |
| 2019–20 | Hajer | Al-Diriyah | Hajer, Al-Diriyah | Season abbreviated due to COVID-19; no playoff.[17] |
| 2020–21 | Al-Jabalain | Al-Batin | Al-Jabalain, Al-Batin, Al-Kholood | Three promoted via playoffs. |
| 2021–22 | Al-Najma | Al-Safa | Al-Najma, Al-Safa, Al-Taraji | Playoff winners included. |
| 2022–23 | Al-Taraji | Al-Bukayriyah | Al-Taraji, Al-Bukayriyah, Al-Najma, Al-Safa | Four promoted; fifth spot via playoff between Al-Jandal and Bisha.[6] |
| 2023–24 | Neom | Al-Zulfi | Neom, Al-Zulfi, Al-Jubail | Al-Jubail won runners-up playoff. |
| 2024–25 | Al-Diriyah (2nd title) | Al-Jeel | Al-Diriyah, Al-Ula, Al-Anwar | Al-Diriyah won Group B; Al-Ula Group A winners; Al-Anwar playoff winner. Al-Diriyah defeated Al-Ula in final playoff 1-0.[21][22] |
Club Statistics
Performance by Club
The Saudi Second Division League has seen a select group of clubs achieve repeated success through multiple championship wins, highlighting their dominance in the third tier of Saudi football. Al-Fateh, Al-Shoulla, and Al-Najma lead with three titles each, demonstrating their ability to consistently outperform competitors in the promotion battle. Diriyah follows closely with two titles, underscoring the competitive nature of the league where sustained performance can propel clubs toward higher divisions. These achievements not only reflect tactical and organizational strength but also contribute to the league's role in nurturing talent for the professional tiers.[23] The following table summarizes the total titles won by the most successful clubs, including the years of victory:| Club | Total Titles | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Fateh | 3 | 1982–83, 1996–97, 1998–99 |
| Al-Shoulla | 3 | 1981–82, 1986–87, 2008–09 |
| Al-Najma | 3 | 1976–77, 1987–88, 2022–23 |
| Diriyah | 2 | 2012–13, 2024–25 |
All-Time Standings
The all-time standings of the Saudi Second Division League are compiled by aggregating points earned by clubs across all seasons since the league's inception in 1976, with rankings based on total points (3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss). This approach accounts for the league's historical format variations, including regional groups in the early decades and the shift to a nationwide professional structure with two groups of 16 teams each starting in the 2021–22 season, without official weighting for differing match loads or group sizes as maintained by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.[23][17] Due to the absence of an official cumulative table, statistical analyses rely on season-by-season data aggregation, prioritizing total points while secondarily considering goal difference and head-to-head records for tiebreakers, consistent with standard league methodologies. Clubs like Al-Najma and Al-Shoulla stand out for their longevity, with each securing 3 championships and frequent participation across multiple eras.[23]| Club | Titles | Notable Stats (Representative Seasons) |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Najma | 3 (1976/77, 1987/88, 2022/23) | Multiple title wins; consistent participation in 1980s and recent years |
| Al-Fateh | 3 (1982/83, 1996/97, 1998/99) | Three consecutive promotions pre-2000 |
| Al-Shoulla | 3 (1981/82, 1986/87, 2008/09) | Sustained success across decades |