Ronaldo's race to 1,000, contenders galore & fabulous fans: 10 Reasons to watch 2026-27 RSL
The 2026-27 Roshn Saudi League season is upon us and it’s Al Nassr that are the hunted after their drought-breaking title success last term.
Can the Saudi Arabian champions go back-to-back, or will we see a new No.1 crowned? That’s just one of the many compelling reasons to tune into the RSL this campaign.
So, with the action on 2026-27 about to kick off on Thursday night, here are 10 reasons you simply cannot miss this much-anticipated RSL season.
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Can Ange win… in his first season!
He always lifts silverware in his second season, but what about the first? The arrival of Ange Postecoglou to replace Jorge Jesus at Al Nassr was one of the headline stories of the off-season, and the former Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur manager will be under pressure to deliver for the club again. Especially since Al Nassr have retained almost all their title-winning squad - and added the quality of Portugal midfielder Samu Costa.
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Al Hilal on the hunt
Postecoglou won’t have it all his own way, though, in what promises to be one of the most gripping title fights in RSL history. Indeed, there could be as many as five clubs in with a genuine chance for silverware, and maybe someone will break from another pack, too.
At the front of the chasers are Al Hilal, who have gone two seasons without the top-flight trophy for the first time in more than a decade.
With Netherlands’ 2026 FIFA World Cup star Crysencio Summerville their standout signing, Simone Inzaghi’s side - they actually went the 2025-26 RSL unbeaten - have no intention of extending the drought into a third year.
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Ronaldo’s race for 1,000
It’s been the storyline that has followed Cristiano Ronaldo for the past 12 months, and now the magical mark is within touching distance.
With 24 more goals needed to notch up 1,000 in his career, the countdown is most certainly on. And, having scored no fewer than 25 times in each of his three full seasons in the RSL, this might be the year the Portuguese legend makes even more history.
Throw in the added motivation of a title to defend, and a golden boot to reclaim, and Ronaldo’s race to 1,000 should feature prominently.
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The Rodgers revolution continues
With a bit more luck, Brendan Rodgers and Al Qadsiah might be heading into this season as the defending RSL champions.
After the Northern Irishman arrived last December, the Al Khobar side were almost unstoppable, losing only once through the remainder of the campaign – a sum totalling 25 matches.
With a full pre-season under the belt, and last term’s golden boot Julian Quinones flying high after the FIFA World Cup, Al Qadsiah are right to harbour hopes of the championship this season.
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A new era in Diriyah
After NEOM Sports Club’s debut last term, this season marks the arrival of another club hoping to become a future force in Saudi football: Diriyah Club.
Already they are making their presence felt, with the shrewd appointment of Bruno Lage as manager, and the recruitment of foreign stars such as Nikola Vasilj from St Pauli, Berat Djimsiti from Atalanta, and Idrissa Gana Gueye from Everton.
While debut campaigns always require significant adjustment, Diriyah Club are determined to make it an introduction to remember.
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Titanic tactical battles
As with every new season, this campaign sees several new managers landing in the Kingdom to help shape a new era for Saudi football. Fresh faces, fresh ideas, and fresh tactics that will evolve across the season, as some of the game’s sharpest minds battle it out on the touchline.
Whether it’s Postecoglou at Al Nassr, or his Australian compatriot - and coaching disciple - Arthur Papas at Al Ettifaq, or even fast-rising 38-year-old German Jens Wissing at Al Ittihad, the touchline battle will be as interesting as that on the pitch.
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Derbies that mean everything
Football the world over is built on passion and rivalry - and there is no shortage of that in the Kingdom, with derbies and rivalries that date back decades.
There are, of course, the blue-chip fixtures, such as the Capital Derby (Al Hilal vs Al Nassr), Sea Derby (Al Ittihad vs Al Ahli) and Eastern Derby (Al Ettifaq vs Al Qadsiah), not to mention the incredible Saudi Clasico between Al Hilal and Al Ittihad.
However, outside of the main cities, there’s also the Ar Rass derby (Al Kholood vs Al Hazem), while this season sees the return of the Al Majma’ah Derby between Al Fayha and newly promoted Al Faisaly.
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That must-see matchday experience
The stadiums, some of which will host the 2027 Asian Cup next year and eventually the FIFA World Cup in 2034, the noise, the colour… the tifos. Oh man, the tifos. They have to be seen to be believed.
The passion in, and the experience of, the stands is what makes the RSL so special, with each club bringing a unique flavour that makes the league what it is.
And, while that comes across brilliantly on television, make the Kingdom your next football destination to witness the magic in person.
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The rising "middle class"
With the arrival of Al Qadsiah as a genuine title threat, the traditional "Big Four" has become a genuine Big Five.
However, beneath that comes a rising middle class that have shown they can match it with the best and shape the outcome of the season.
Last term it was Al Taawoun, and all eyes will be on the Buraidah club again this season, particularly since the much-loved Pericles Chamusca has moved on.
But in Al Ettifaq, Al Shabab, and NEOM SC, there is a cohort of clubs that can, not only break through, but make a real impact.
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Stars, stars and more stars
The aforementioned Ronaldo and Quinones aren’t the only high-profile international names in the RSL. Not at all.
There’s Karim Benzema, Ruben Neves and Yassine Bono at Al Hilal, Sadio Mane and Joao Felix helping supply Ronaldo’s goals at Al Nassr, Edouard Mendy and Ivan Toney at Al Ahli, Yannick Carrasco at Al Shabab, Alexandre Lacazette with NEOM SC – and many, many more.
Throw in the best players Saudi Arabia has to offer, and a plethora of the game's most exciting young players, both local and imported, and the RSL boasts enough stars to keep you captivated all campaign.
Oh, and just to note: the summer transfer window doesn’t close until next month. Get the popcorn ready!
