Saudi Pro League were on a crazy shopping spree this summer transfer window which can even lead into the winters. Bringing in football’s biggest names to their backyard has helped them reach globally. They are also bringing in a lot more revenue money with several more broadcasting deals. However, none of it has helped them gain the huge amount of footfalls they were expecting in the matches. Their lowest attendance this term has been recorded at a shocking 133 people in a match.
Saudi Pro League’s blockbuster signings began at the start of the calendar year when they managed to lure one of the world’s bests Cristiano Ronaldo. Since then, around 20 big names from Europe decided on a move to the Middle East country. They’ve managed to bring over some of football’s biggest names, like Neymar Jr, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Jordan Henderson, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and many more. They also brought in Steven Gerrard as the head coach of one of the teams, Al Ettifaq.
The Saudi Pro League managed to get their name on the football map of the world. They have secured numerous broadcasting deals in 130 different territories involving a lot of money. Apparently, the revenue has increased around 4 times compared to last season. However, even though the footfall in the stadiums has increased by about 24%, it still isn’t helping the league in general. Only the teams with big names are seeing an increased number of spectators. However, the rest of the teams are still suffering with 3-figure attendance numbers.
This season’s lowest attendance should ring a bell inside the authorities’ heads. Only 133 people attended the match between Al Riyadh and Al Okhdood. Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq saw only 696 people attend their match against Al Riyadh this weekend. This matchweek, the highest attendance was 16,919 spectators in the match between Al Ahli and Al Wehda. This was just a little over the attendance of 16875 people in the Al Nassr vs Damac FC match where people came to see Cristiano Ronaldo.
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