Derby Showdown in Jeddah: Saudi Pro League Announces Six-Game Schedule and Venue Shuffles
5 October 2025
Upcoming derbies and key fixtures
In a formal announcement, the Saudi Pro League’s governing body published the dates and venues for the matches from Week 7 to Week 12 of the 2025-26 season. The update reflects careful planning to align stadium readiness with the clubs’ Asian competition commitments and the results of the September 25 cup draw, ensuring a coherent schedule across the calendar.
The body stressed that all games will adhere to the overall season timetable while balancing rounds to preserve fair competition and provide the best spectator experience for fans and clubs alike. The measures also consider maintenance and renovation work that affect where certain games can be hosted.
Further adjustments include shifting some matches to accommodate ongoing maintenance: Al Hilal and Al Ahli will play at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, and the Al Hazm versus Al Khaleej clash in Week 8 will be moved to King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sports City in Buraydah due to the maintenance schedule.
Additionally, the Week 12 encounter between Shabab and Qadsia has been relocated to Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh because of Asia Cup Under-23 matches hosted at the ISG Arena. The league emphasized that the adaptations aim to maximize rest days amid a packed domestic and continental calendar.
The statement reiterated a strong commitment to collaborate with all partners—clubs, the Saudi Football Federation, and other organizers—to support the current season’s success and to strengthen the Saudi Pro League’s standing among the world’s top leagues.
Derby week highlights
The league also outlined important derby fixtures in the coming weeks: the Riyadh derby between Al Hilal and Al Shabab is slated for Friday, October 31, at Kingdom Arena, with a 5:50 PM kickoff local time. The Al Hilal versus Al Najma clash is set for Friday, November 7, at King Abdullah Sports City in Buraydah, at 8:30 PM. The Jeddah derby between Al Ittihad and Al Ahli is scheduled for Friday, November 8, at Al Enmaa Stadium, with kickoff at 8:30 PM. Finally, the Nasser versus Ettifaq match is planned for Tuesday, December 30, at the IGO stadium, starting at 8:30 PM local time.
Overall, the season’s mid-section is marked by intense competition and strategic scheduling designed to preserve competitive integrity and fan engagement while managing venue constraints and international duties.
In short, if the fixtures were a family reunion, someone would have brought a calendar. And probably a coffee. Punchlines aside, the league’s plan keeps the drama alive while giving players a fighting chance to shine on multiple fronts.
Punchline 1: If calendars were referees, this one would blow the whistle every few days just to remind you who’s keeping score. Punchline 2: Football calendars are like diets—great in theory, only a transfer window can really shake things up.
