Saudi Sports Clubs Open to Investors in Privatization Push

Oct 28, 2026•2 min read

The Ministry of Sport, together with the National Center for Privatization and PPP, is offering Saudi sports clubs to local and international investors through a dedicated investment and privatization framework first launched in 2023. The program aims to attract capital into the sports sector and put clubs on a more sustainable financial and administrative footing.

The framework runs along two tracks: direct investment by companies or public entities in clubs, and privatization through the transfer of club ownership to investors. Its stated goals include improving governance, professionalizing club management, upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing the overall fan experience.

Investors—whether Saudi or international—begin the process by registering through the dedicated investor portal. The journey then moves through several stages: expression of interest, request for qualification, prequalification, tendering, evaluation, commercial closure, and finally ownership transfer. Officials estimate the offering process takes roughly eight to ten months once interest is received for a specific club.

Clubs offered so far

The Council of Ministers approved the privatization framework for 14 clubs on 2 July 2024. Six clubs were tendered in 2024, with an application deadline set for 19 September 2024 at 4:00 PM Saudi time. A further five clubs—Abha, Al-Fateh, Al-Riyadh, Al-Tai, and Al-Shoullah—were offered in 2026, with a prequalification deadline of 5 July 2026.

For residents and fans, the shift matters because it could bring new funding, better facilities, and more professional management to local clubs. Deadlines are set separately for each offering, and no fixed application fee, purchase price, or minimum investment amount is publicly specified in the available framework notices. The Ministry of Sport and the investor portal are the official channels for this project.

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