The Public Investment Fund is moving to take full ownership of the companies behind four of Saudi Arabia's biggest football clubs — Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal — as part of a plan to consolidate control under a single owner.
Back in 2023, the Public Investment Fund acquired 75% of each of the four club companies, while the clubs' respective nonprofit foundations retained the remaining 25%. In August 2026, the Ministry of Sport began transferring those foundations' 25% stakes to the Public Investment Fund after completing the required procedures.
The step is designed to bring ownership of the four club companies fully under the Public Investment Fund, streamlining their structure and management.
Al-Hilal's situation may differ from the others. The Public Investment Fund agreed to sell 70% of Al-Hilal to Kingdom Holding Company for SAR 840 million. Based on the available information, a final ownership structure for Al-Hilal following that transaction has not yet been established.
Why it matters
For fans and residents following Saudi football, these moves point to a more defined, investment-backed ownership model for the country's leading clubs. Consolidating ownership can support clearer governance and long-term planning, while the Al-Hilal arrangement signals continued private-sector involvement in the sector.
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