| Competition: | Professional League |
| Season: | 2021–22 |
| Dates: | 11 August 2021 – 27 June 2022 |
| Winners: | Al-Hilal (18th title) |
| Relegated: | Al-Faisaly Al-Ahli Al-Hazem |
| Continentalcup1: | AFC Champions League |
| Continentalcup1 Qualifiers: | Al-Hilal Al-Fayha |
| Continentalcup2: | Arab Club Champions Cup |
| Continentalcup2 Qualifiers: | Al-Hilal Al-Ittihad Al-Nassr Al-Shabab |
| Matches: | 240 |
| Total Goals: | 637 |
| League Topscorer: | Odion Ighalo (24 goals) |
| Biggest Home Win: | (11 September 2021) (17 February 2022) |
| Biggest Away Win: | (11 January 2022) (6 February 2022) |
| Highest Scoring: | (25 November 2021) |
| Longest Wins: | Al-Ittihad (10 matches) |
| Longest Unbeaten: | Al-Shabab (17 matches) |
| Longest Winless: | Al-Hazem (11 matches) |
| Longest Losses: | Al-Hazem (7 matches) |
| Highest Attendance: | 58,755[1] Al-Ittihad 1–3 Al-Hilal (23 May 2022) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 0[2] Al-Ittihad 3–0 Al-Nassr (11 February 2022) 0[3] Al-Nassr 1–0 Al-Fayha (17 March 2022) 0[4] Al-Shabab 1–0 Al-Faisaly (12 May 2022) |
| Attendance: | 1,868,679 |
| Average Attendance: | 7,885 |
| Prevseason: | 2020–21 |
| Nextseason: | 2022–23 |
| Updated: | 27 June 2022 |
The 2021–22 Saudi Professional League was the 46th edition of the Saudi Professional League, the top Saudi professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1976. Fixtures for the 2021–22 season were announced on 18 July 2021.[5]
Al-Hilal were the two-time defending champions after winning their 17th title last season.[6] Al-Fayha, Al-Hazem, and Al-Tai join as the three promoted clubs from the 2020–21 MS League.[7] They replace Al-Ain, Al-Qadsiah, and Al-Wehda who were relegated to the 2021–22 MS League.
On 27 June, Al-Hilal secured their eighteenth league title in the final matchday following a 2–1 home win against Al-Faisaly.[8] It was also the club's third consecutive title and fifth in the last six seasons. Al-Hazem were the first team to be relegated following a 5–2 defeat away to Al-Ettifaq on 21 May.[9] In the final matchday, both Al-Faisaly and Al-Ahli were relegated following a defeat to Al-Hilal and a draw with Al-Shabab respectively.
On 8 August 2021, the Saudi Professional League announced that they had signed a sponsorship deal with real estate company Roshn.[10] On 9 August 2021, the Saudi FF signed a sponsorship deal with Chinese tech company Lenovo to become the official technology partner of all Saudi football competitions.[11]
On 8 August 2021, Ministry of Sports announced that they had increased the capacity limit from 40% to 60% in all stadiums. It was also announced that children under 12 wouldn't be allowed to attend matches and that the attendance would be limited to those who are fully vaccinated.[12]
Sixteen teams will compete in the league – the top thirteen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the MS League.
Teams who were promoted to the Pro League
The first club to be promoted was Al-Hazem, who were promoted following a 4–2 away win against Al-Sahel on 20 April 2021. Al-Hazem will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence.[13] Al-Hazem were crowned champions following a 1–0 away win against Hajer on 21 May 2021.[14]
The second club to be promoted was Al-Fayha, following a 0–0 home draw with Al-Tai on 20 May 2021.[15] Al-Fayha will play in the top flight of Saudi football after a season's absence.
The third and final club to be promoted was Al-Tai who were promoted on the final matchday following a 2–0 away win over Arar.[16] Al-Tai will play in the top flight of Saudi football for the first time since the 2007–08 season.
Teams who were relegated to the MS League
The first club to be relegated was Al-Ain, who were relegated after only a year in the top flight following a 2–0 defeat away to Al-Nassr on 14 May 2021.[17]
In the final matchday, both Al-Qadsiah and Al-Wehda were relegated following a draw with Abha and a loss against Al-Shabab respectively.[18] Al-Qadsiah were relegated after only a year in the top flight while Al-Wehda were relegated after three years in the top flight.
Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abha | Abha | Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium | [19] |
| Al-Ahli | Jeddah | King Abdullah Sports City Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium | |
| [20] | |||
| Al-Ettifaq | Dammam | Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium | [21] |
| Al-Faisaly | Harmah | Al Majma'ah Sports City (Al Majma'ah) | |
| Al-Fateh | Al-Hasa | Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium | [22] [23] |
| Al-Fayha | Al Majma'ah | Al Majma'ah Sports City | |
| Al-Hazem | Ar Rass | Al-Hazem Club Stadium | [24] |
| Al-Hilal | Riyadh | King Fahd International Stadium Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium | |
| Al-Ittihad | Jeddah | King Abdullah Sports City Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium | |
| Al-Nassr | Riyadh | Mrsool Park | |
| Al-Raed | Buraidah | King Abdullah Sport City Stadium | |
| Al-Shabab | Riyadh | King Fahd International Stadium Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium | |
| Al-Taawoun | Buraidah | King Abdullah Sport City Stadium | |
| Al-Tai | Ha'il | Prince Abdul Aziz bin Musa'ed Stadium | [25] |
| Damac | Khamis Mushait | Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium (Abha) | |
The policy of foreign players remained unchanged. Clubs can register a total of seven foreign players over the course of the season.[74]
Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.
The following table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve the chronological evolution, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled but added to the full round they were played immediately afterward. If a club from the Saudi Professional League wins the King Cup, they will qualify for the AFC Champions League, unless they have already qualified for it through their league position. In this case, an additional AFC Champions League group stage berth will be given to the 3rd placed team, and the AFC Champions League play-off round spot will be given to 4th.
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals[75] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Odion Ighalo | Al-Shabab/Al-Hilal | 24 |
| 2 |  Romarinho | Al-Ittihad | 20 |
| Talisca | Al-Nassr | ||
| 4 |  Léandre Tawamba | Al-Taawoun | 18 |
| 5 |  Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Nassr/Al-Ittihad | 15 |
| 6 |  Emilio Zelaya | Damac | 13 |
| Karim El Berkaoui | Al-Raed | ||
| Carlos | Al-Shabab | ||
 Moussa Marega | Al-Hilal | ||
| 10 | Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | 11 |
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4–3 (A) | [76] | ||||
| 4–2 (H) | [77] | ||||
| 3–0 (A) | [78] | ||||
| Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets[79] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Vladimir Stojković | Al-Fayha | 13 |
| 2 | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | 12 |
| 3 | Abdullah Al-Mayouf | Al-Hilal | 11 |
| 4 |  Maksym Koval | Al-Fateh | 9 |
| Fawaz Al-Qarni | Al-Shabab | ||
| 6 | Moustapha Zeghba | Damac | 8 |
| Martín Campaña | Al-Batin | ||
| 8 | Raïs M'Bolhi | Al-Ettifaq | 7 |
| Abdelali Mhamdi | Abha | ||
| Mustafa Malayekah | Al-Faisaly | ||
Ismael (Al-Faisaly) Marwane Saâdane (Al-Fateh) Éver Banega (Al-Shabab) Talisca (Al-Nassr)| Round | Total | Avg. Per Game | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| scope='row' | Round 1 | 38,554 | 8 | 4,820 |
| scope='row' | Round 2 | 43,357 | 8 | 5,420 |
| scope='row' | Round 3 | 46,759 | 8 | 5,845 |
| scope='row' | Round 4 | 66,838 | 8 | 8,355 |
| scope='row' | Round 5 | 50,724 | 8 | 6,341 |
| scope='row' | Round 6 | 73,053 | 8 | 9,132 |
| scope='row' | Round 7 | 39,761 | 8 | 4,971 |
| scope='row' | Round 8 | 63,970 | 8 | 7,997 |
| scope='row' | Round 9 | 69,559 | 8 | 8,695 |
| scope='row' | Round 10 | 59,643 | 8 | 7,456 |
| scope='row' | Round 11 | 99,764 | 8 | 12,471 |
| scope='row' | Round 12 | 43,070 | 8 | 5,384 |
| scope='row' | Round 13 | 102,742 | 8 | 12,843 |
| scope='row' | Round 14 | 60,736 | 8 | 7,592 |
| scope='row' | Round 15 | 30,641 | 8 | 3,831 |
| scope='row' | Round 16 | 61,124 | 8 | 7,641 |
| scope='row' | Round 17 | 44,604 | 8 | 5,576 |
| scope='row' | Round 18 | 58,788 | 8 | 7,349 |
| scope='row' | Round 19 | 44,528 | 8 | 5,566 |
| scope='row' | Round 20 | 40,133 | 7 | 5,734 |
| scope='row' | Round 21 | 39,750 | 8 | 4,969 |
| scope='row' | Round 22 | 48,731 | 8 | 6,092 |
| scope='row' | Round 23 | 65,566 | 8 | 8,196 |
| scope='row' | Round 24 | 86,528 | 8 | 10,816 |
| scope='row' | Round 25 | 90,813 | 7 | 12,974 |
| scope='row' | Round 26 | 50,955 | 8 | 6,370 |
| scope='row' | Round 27 | 119,916 | 7 | 17,131 |
| scope='row' | Round 28 | 51,816 | 8 | 6,477 |
| scope='row' | Round 29 | 85,769 | 8 | 10,722 |
| scope='row' | Round 30 | 90,487 | 8 | 11,311 |
| Total | 1,868,679 | 237 | 7,885 |
A match played behind closed doors is not included.
| Month | Manager of the Month | Player of the Month | Goalkeeper of the Month | Rising Star of the Month | Reference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Club | Player | Club | Player | Club | Player | Club | ||
| August | Vuk Rašović | Al-Fayha |  Ahmed Hegazi | Al-Ittihad | Vladimir Stojković | Al-Fayha | Moteb Al-Harbi | Al-Shabab | [81] |
| September | Krešimir Režić | Damac | Igor Coronado | Al-Ittihad | Moustapha Zeghba | Damac | Nawaf Boushal | Al-Fateh | [82] |
| October | Péricles Chamusca | Al-Shabab | Abdulrahman Ghareeb | Al-Ahli | Fawaz Al-Qarni | Al-Shabab | Moteb Al-Harbi | Al-Shabab | [83] |
| November | Péricles Chamusca | Al-Shabab |  Naïm Sliti | Al-Ettifaq | Ahmed Al-Kassar | Al-Faisaly | Moteb Al-Harbi | Al-Shabab | [84] |
| January | Miguel Ángel Russo | Al-Nassr | Romarinho | Al-Ittihad | Vladimir Stojković | Al-Fayha | Moteb Al-Harbi | Al-Shabab | [85] |
| February | Cosmin Contra | Al-Ittihad | Abderrazak Hamdallah | Al-Ittihad | Mustafa Malayekah | Al-Faisaly | Firas Al-Buraikan | Al-Fateh | [86] |
| March | Ramón Díaz | Al-Hilal | Odion Ighalo | Al-Hilal | Marcelo Grohe | Al-Ittihad | Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti | Al-Ittihad | [87] |
| May & June | Ramón Díaz | Al-Hilal | Naïm Sliti | Al-Ettifaq | Abdullah Al-Mayouf | Al-Hilal | Nawaf Al-Aqidi | Al-Tai | [88] |
