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A stark contrast: Saudi Pro League game draws only 315 fans

While star signings like Cristiano Ronaldo have drawn tens of thousands of fans to Saudi Pro League matches, some clubs are struggling to attract even a few hundred spectators.

Ammie Adelaide Helen profile image
by Ammie Adelaide Helen
A stark contrast: Saudi Pro League game draws only 315 fans

At the Globe Soccer Awards 2024 in Dubai, Cristiano Ronaldo surprised many by claiming that Ligue 1, where Lionel Messi played for PSG, couldn't compare to the Saudi Pro League.

"The Saudi League is much better than the French league," Ronaldo insisted. "In France, you only have PSG, the rest are not at the same level. Try playing in 38, 39, 40-degree heat and scoring goals, you'll see the difference."

However, CR7's viewpoint seems somewhat contradictory, as attendances at some Saudi Pro League games have been shockingly low.

According to Saudi Arabian media, two Saudi Pro League clubs saw disappointing turnouts on January 9th. Al-Riyadh, currently 7th in the league standings, hosted Al-Khaleej at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium for a 3 p.m. kickoff. Despite the match ending in an exciting 2-2 draw, only a few hundred spectators were present to witness the action.

The stadium, located in the capital Riyadh, has a capacity of 22,188. However, the recent match saw just 315 fans in attendance, leaving swathes of empty seats and a sea of blue chairs overshadowing those present.

However, this isn't even the lowest attendance Al-Riyadh has experienced – the club suffered a 1-0 defeat to Al-Okhdood in September 2023 in front of just 133 fans, a shockingly low figure.

Al-Riyadh's disappointing attendance this week starkly contrasts with Al-Nassr's fortunes on the same day, as 16,458 spectators flocked to Al-Awwal Park to see Cristiano Ronaldo score a penalty and Sadio Mané bag a brace in a 3-1 victory over Al-Akhdoud.

Elsewhere, even teams competing in the sixth tier of English football achieve higher average attendances than the number of fans present at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on January 9th, with Vanarama National League North side Leamington averaging 689 fans at home games in the 2024/25 season.

Ammie Adelaide Helen profile image
by Ammie Adelaide Helen

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