The Saudi Pro League has made headlines in recent times for signing some of the world’s biggest football stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar — and of course former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson. However, despite the influx of star power, the league continues to struggle with low attendance numbers.
According to a recent report from the Mirror, the average attendance at Saudi Pro League matches this season is just 8,470 spectators, with some matches drawing less than 1,000 fans. One notorious example of this came recently when Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq side — also featuring Henderson — played against Al-Riyadh, which saw a paltry 696 supporters in attendance. Other matches also saw low turnouts, with 792 fans watching Al-Akhdoud face Al-Feiha and only 532 fans attending Al-Hazm’s win over Al-Raed. In comparison, lower league matches in England drew significantly larger crowds, with one League One match attracting over 17,000 fans.
The issue of low attendances extends beyond individual matches. The average attendance for most Saudi Pro League teams is below 10,000, with only four clubs averaging more than five figures. Al-Ittihad leads the league in average attendance with 29,044 fans per match, followed by Al-Hilal (22,381), Al-Nassr (20,615), and Al-Ahli (19,296). The rest of the teams, including Gerrard and Henderson’s Al-Ettifaq, routinely struggle to attract large crowds.
The reasons for the low attendances are multifaceted. One factor could be the lack of interest from local fans when global superstars are not involved in the matches. But even when big names like Ronaldo and Neymar are on the field, the level of interest can fluctuate. Additionally, the cultural and social context in Saudi Arabia may also play a role. Football matches are traditionally male-dominated events, and there may be cultural barriers that discourage certain segments of the population from attending games. Despite the challenges, there has been a slight increase in attendances compared to last year, with a 24 per cent rise. However, it falls short of the expectations set by the league’s ambitious plans and high-profile signings. To mitigate the impact of low attendances, the Saudi Pro League has secured lucrative TV deals to broadcast matches in 130 different territories, generating four times more revenue than the previous season
Jordan Henderson of Al Ettifaq and Roberto Firmino of Al Ahli battling during Saudi Pro League match between Al Ahli and Al Ettifaq at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has faced a serious culture shock in the Saudi league.
