Mustafa Saad
The Saudi National Club, founders of the league and champions of Asia.
Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club, commonly known as Al-Ahli, is a Saudi professional football club based in Jeddah. It competes in the Saudi Pro League, the top tier of Saudi football. Since its founding in 1937, the club has been known as one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia.
- Location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Affiliation
- Al Hilal SFC (Historic Home)
- Named After
- Prince Faisal bin Fahd Al Saud
- Primary Role
- Home Ground for Domestic Competitions
- Status
- Historical / Legacy Venue
Lore & Background
Al-Ahli was founded in 1937 in Jeddah by a group of students from Al-Falah School. The club won its first major title, the Crown Prince Cup, in the 1956–57 season. In the 1977–78 season, Al-Ahli won a domestic double under Brazilian coach Didi. The club's golden era included seven Saudi League titles, four King Cups, and one Crown Prince Cup in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1987, Diego Maradona made an appearance for Al-Ahli during the club's 50th anniversary. Al-Ahli was one of the four founding members of the Saudi Pro League and had never been relegated until the 2021–22 season. The club holds the record for the longest unbeaten run in the league with a 51-match streak from 2014 to 2016.
In Their Own Story
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the worn grass of Mustafa Saad Stadium. The air was thick with the scent of dust and anticipation as thousands of fans in blue shirts flooded the terraces. A veteran striker, his boots caked in mud from previous battles, walked onto the pitch one last time, knowing this ground had seen him rise to become a legend. As the whistle blew, the roar of the crowd was not just noise; it was a prayer for victory that had echoed here for thirty years.
Reader's Guide
Al-Ahli's home games are played at King Abdullah Sports City, also known as the shining jewel Stadium, which is shared with city rivals Al-Ittihad since 2014 and Jeddah FC. The stadium is the second-largest in Saudi Arabia with a capacity of approximately 63,000. Domestically, Al-Ahli has won 9 Saudi Professional Leagues, 8 Kings Cups, 6 Crown Prince Cups, 2 Super Cups, and 3 Federations Cups. In international club football, they have won 2 AFC Champions League Elite, a record equal of three GCC Champions League, and one Arab Club Championship.
Did You Know?
- Al-Ahli was the first Saudi club to win the league and the King's Cup in the same season, doing so in 1978 and 2016.
- Al-Ahli won a historic treble in the 2015–16 season under Swiss coach Christian Gross, winning the Saudi Pro League, King Cup, and Saudi Super Cup.
- On 3 May 2025, Al-Ahli won the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite, defeating Kawasaki Frontale 2–0 in Jeddah.
- Al-Ahli successfully defended their AFC Champions League Elite title in the 2025–26 season, defeating Machida Zelvia 1–0 after extra time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Al Hilal's historic home ground located?
This venue is found in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and acted as a defensive stronghold for the team before they transitioned to larger arenas like King Fahd International Stadium.
Who was the stadium named after?
It commemorates Prince Faisal bin Fahd Al Saud, who remains a respected personality within the nation's sporting past and football development.
What is the significance of this stadium to fans?
Supporters view it as the emotional center for the Blue Army where great players made their mark during matches that defined the club's golden eras.
Is this stadium still used for all matches today?
It is currently classified as a historical legacy venue, so the team now utilizes modern arenas such as King Fahd International Stadium for many of its primary competitions.
How does the stadium reflect Al Hilal's culture?
The site symbolizes supporter devotion beyond its physical construction and holds memories from legendary games that established domestic dominance.
More in Stadium & Fan Culture
Elsewhere in the Al Hilal universe
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