Saudi League Ranks 26th globally in Attendance Rate

A survey by (Maaal) that included more than 200 football leagues around the world in various levels showed that the Saudi Roshen League is ranked 26th in terms of attendance rates among the world leagues for the 2024-2025 sports season, which started in August of this year. The average attendance rate in the Saudi League reached 6,680 fans during 4 rounds, and the number of attendees exceeded 100,000 spectators so far, surpassed in the list by a number of leagues, including the English (Premier League, First Division, Second Division), and the first and second division leagues of: Germany, Spain, Italy, France, in addition to the Mexican, Indian, Iranian, and Austrian leagues. The English Premier League topped the leagues in terms of attendance rate with 41,000 fans, with attendance exceeding two million spectators, followed by the German Bundesliga with an average of about 38,000 and an attendance of about 1.3 million spectators, while the Spanish League came in third with an average attendance of 31.6 thousand and an attendance of 2.08 million during 7 rounds, then the Italian League came in fourth with about 31,000 and an attendance of 1.5 million spectators, according to data from the Transfermarkt network. The German League (second division) recorded a remarkable attendance, as it is the fifth league in terms of attendance rate, with 30,000 and an attendance of 1.6 million spectators, followed by the French League in sixth place, then the English League (first division) in seventh place, the Mexican League in eighth place, then the Scottish League in ninth place, and then the Dutch League in tenth place. The Indian league ranked 11th in terms of attendance rates, and is the highest league in Asia, with an average of 14,000 and an attendance of around 170,000 during two rounds, followed by the Spanish league (second division), then the Polish league, the Portuguese league, followed by the Turkish league in fifteenth place. The Russian League came in 16th place with an average of about 12 thousand during 9 rounds, followed by the Swiss League, then the German League (third division) with an average of 11 thousand and an attendance of 788 thousand spectators during 7 rounds, followed by the English League (third division), then the Belgian League in 20th place. In 21st place came the Danish League with an attendance average of 10.2 thousand, followed by the Italian League (second division) with an average of 10 thousand, then in 23rd place came the Iranian League with an average of 9 thousand, which is the second highest rate in the Asian continent, then the Austrian League with an average of 8.8 thousand, and the French League in 25th place with an average of 6.8 thousand, then the Saudi Roshen League with an average of 6.6 thousand, which is the third highest Asian league, surpassing a number of leagues, such as: Romanian, Greek, Croatian, and Serbian. It is noteworthy that the data is specific to leagues held according to the football season system starting from August or September until May or June, and does not include leagues that start since the beginning of the year, such as: South American leagues, East Asia, in addition to some countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Ireland.

The public attendance enhances economic returns by increasing ticket sales, raising the value of advertising sponsorships, and stimulating commercial activity in the areas surrounding the stadiums, and attracts media attention, which is reflected in the clubs to achieve greater returns as well as for the sponsors, in addition to attracting local and international tourists.

At the Roshn League level, the host clubs have the authority to set ticket prices, with the minimum ticket price being 10 riyals, with the condition that 30% of the match stadium capacity be offered with tickets not exceeding 30 riyals. The clubs receive ticket revenues, without affecting the seat share for the guest and host club, which is 70% for the home team and 30% for the fans of the guest club.