Al Hilal’s Bold Move: Discounted ACL Night Lights Up Riyadh
16 October 2025
Discounts Ahead of a Major ACL Clash
The Saudi club Al Hilal delivered a welcome surprise for the fans ahead of their AFC Champions League Group Stage clash with Al Sadd. The blue giants are pushing for continental glory with a squad built to light up nights and transform stadiums into stages of drama and celebration.
The big fixture is set for October 21, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, where Hilal will aim to extend their flawless start in the ACL West Asia group standings.
Hilal announced on X that discounted tickets would go on sale to celebrate the club's 68th anniversary, giving fans a chance to watch the action at a lower price.
Ticket prices for Hilal supporters start at 57 Saudi riyals, the lowest price seen for an ACL match at home, compared with the usual minimum around 79 riyals.
The club's plan is to open the gates to a full house, filling the Kingdom Arena for this special occasion and creating a memorable night for the fans.
The team’s coach, Italian Simone Inzaghi, carries big ambitions for Asia, driven by a desire to return the club to the continent's top podium and to match the fans' high expectations for a championship run.
Hilal's continental journey in the past two seasons ended in the semifinals: two seasons ago they were eliminated by Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates after a two-legged tie, and last season they were edged 3-1 by fellow Saudi rivals Al Ahli in a single match in Jeddah.
Inzaghi, who previously came close to European glory with Inter Milan, is keen to replicate that success with Hilal, guiding a side eager for Asia's top prize.
Securing the Future of the Stars
The club's board has decided to tie Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to a two-year extension after weeks of discussion. Inzaghi has stressed that keeping the midfielder is essential for the team’s balance across midfield, defense and attack.
Despite interest from European clubs, including Juventus, the Serbian star chose to remain with Hilal, reaffirming his commitment to domestic and continental ambitions.
Two-Year Renewal and the Midfield Brain
According to a report in Al-Yom, Hilal's management formalized Milinkovic-Savic's two-season extension, with negotiations ongoing on final contract details. The move signals confidence in his role as the team’s central playmaker and stabilizer.
His current deal runs through the end of the season, and extending now blocks late European temptations, preserving the spine of the blue squad.
One of Asia's Best: A Spotlight on Salem Al-Dawsari
Since arriving from Lazio in 2023, Milinkovic-Savic has been regarded as a key midfield engine for Hilal, providing a vision that steers play and a pace that sets the tempo. In two seasons, he has appeared in over 100 matches, scoring 30 goals and assisting 26.
This season, he has played six games (four in the league and two in Asia), with one goal and one assist so far.
Meanwhile, the club’s stars are enjoying domestic and continental highs, with the Saudi national team qualifying for the World Cup and whispers of an Asia Player of the Year award for captain Salem Al-Dawsari. Reports point to Al-Dawsari topping the poll in 2025 with 185 points, ahead of Akram Afif (177).
The Asia awards ceremony is in Riyadh, presenting 20 prizes, including the top Player award. The ceremony will be attended by a gathering of football's elite in Asia, with many eyes on the Al Hilal captain.
Just hours before the ceremony, Saudi outlets reported that Salem Al-Dawsari would be named Asia's best player, having earned 185 points, eight more than his Qatari rival Afif who had 177.
Punchline: If discounts were as effective as goals, this match would end with a trophy and a coupon in the same pocket.
Punchline 2: If Inzaghi keeps Milinkovic-Savic in Riyadh, even the scoreboards will start filing for overtime, just to celebrate the playmaking.
