Could Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Pro League disrupt Uefa’s dominance?
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Since its inception in 1954 in Basel, Switzerland, UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) has been regarded as the most respected and prestigious governing body in club football. Hosting various major tournaments such as the Champions League and the Europa League, the 2023/24 Champions League final attracted an estimated 145 million viewers, as competing clubs aimed to be crowned the best in Europe. As a result, historic clubs such as Real Madrid, AC Milan, FC Barcelona, and Manchester United are all members of UEFA. For decades, the association had not faced any external threats or serious competition until the Saudi Pro League burst onto the scene in 2021 through large state-backed investments. This raises the question: can Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Pro League disrupt UEFA’s grip on club football?
The Saudi Pro League (SPL), established in the 1976–1977 season, is the highest level of football in Saudi Arabia. For much of its history, its viewership was largely limited to domestic audiences and neighboring countries. However, as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, massive investments have been made to expand the league and elevate its presence on the global stage. Backed by state funding from Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Pro League clubs have received substantial financial support to accelerate growth and help position the competition as one of the world’s top leagues.
This has enabled clubs to pursue aggressive recruitment strategies, offering players lucrative long-term contracts (typically lasting 2–3 years) with exceptionally high wages. As a result, the league has attracted a host of European football and UEFA's biggest names, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kanté, lured by both financial incentives and the promise of stability within ambitious long-term projects.
Saudi Arabia's “big four” (Al-Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli) have led the charge, paying significant fees for global stars. High-profile transfers such as Jhon Durán for £64 million and Neymar Jr. for £75.9 million highlight the league's determination to compete with UEFA and its elites. With its growing squad of stars even outside the “big four,” the SPL is beginning to attract young talents eager to make the switch from European football. At the same time, clubs are investing heavily in world-class infrastructure, training facilities, and coaching, aiming to maximize player performance, aid development, and create a more competitive environment in order to challenge Europe.
Consequently, the surge in investment has fueled growth in Saudi Arabia’s economy, particularly through non-oil sectors such as football, making the country a more attractive destination to live in and visit. This global push has already delivered results: FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) has awarded Saudi Arabia the right to host the 2034 World Cup, the most prestigious sporting event in the world.
With this in mind, the focus on club football and building a competitive domestic environment has intensified. Saudi authorities are investing in state-of-the-art stadiums and infrastructure designed to accommodate millions of visitors while also raising the Saudi Pro League’s profile. By linking the World Cup to the league's development, Saudi Arabia is able to significantly increase international interest in its club football, disrupting UEFA.
Preparations for the tournament are expected to generate substantial employment opportunities, as thousands of jobs will be required to ensure the event runs smoothly. This aligns with one of the government's key macroeconomic objectives: reducing unemployment. Over the long term, these efforts could establish Saudi football as a major force in Asia and beyond, particularly given the continent's vast population and growing interest in sports. As a result, the Saudi Pro League could ensure long-term sustainability and the ability to compete with European football for many years, even past the World Cup.
Having faced little disruption throughout its history, UEFA was forced to respond to the rise of the Saudi Pro League in order to reinforce its dominance over club football. One of its first measures was the introduction of the UEFA Conference League tournament in 2021. This additional competition widened the pool of participating clubs, allowing more teams to compete on the European stage. By doing so, UEFA attracted new fan bases, broadened its reach, and created fresh commercial opportunities through sponsorship and broadcasting, therefore increasing its overall value as an association.
In addition, UEFA introduced major structural reforms to its competitions in the 2024–25 season, replacing the old format which had lasted 21 years. The number of competing clubs was expanded from 32 per competition to 36, raising the total to 108 competing teams. The traditional group stage was removed and replaced with a single league-phase system. Under this new model, each club plays eight different opponents during the group phase, with the top eight teams qualifying directly for the round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th must compete in a playoff to secure their place.
This reform has significantly increased the number of European games per season, helping to boost UEFA viewership and revenue. More matches not only generate higher broadcasting income but also ensure consistent fan engagement, strengthening the ability to retain audiences.
As the Saudi Pro League has substantially increased its spending, it has contributed to inflation within the global footballing market. This refers to the overall rise in player transfer fees, which have been on an upward trend once again following the earlier market boom caused by the Neymar and Kylian Mbappé record-breaking transfers to Paris Saint-Germain.
The scale of Saudi investment has made it harder for European clubs to compete financially, as they struggle to match the fees and wages paid by Saudi teams. Consequently, a number of European sides have been forced to scale back their spending, while Saudi clubs continue their escalation.
However, this trend doesn’t apply to Europe’s main powerhouse teams. Elite clubs such as Liverpool remain able to compete in the market, shown by their spending of £446 million as recently as this summer transfer window.
Overall, Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Pro League possess both the backing and resources to succeed, with the potential to leave a lasting impact on UEFA and the wider footballing world. Their bold and unprecedented approach to investment and development suggests that, for now, the trajectory is only upwards.
However, the ultimate test will be time. Only then will it become clear whether the Saudi Pro League can sustain its momentum and truly establish itself as one of the world's premier footballing destinations.