Saudi Women's Football Expands With New Leagues

Saudi women's football has moved from almost no organized play to a full national structure in just a few years, with a growing calendar of leagues, cups and age-group pathways. The Women's Football League launched in November 2020, and the Saudi Women's Premier League began the same year, starting with eight clubs in the top tier.

For the 2025–2026 season, running from 11 September 2025 to 23 May 2026, the federation approved a calendar of nine official tournaments. Alongside the Women's Premier League, these include the Saudi Women's Super Cup, the Women's Federation Cup, and the Women's First and Second Division Leagues, giving players a clearer path from grassroots level to the top flight.

The professional game has also become more international, with the Premier League now featuring players from more than 20 nationalities. To support clubs, a dedicated funding program committed SAR 49.9 million to Premier League and Women's First Division sides, with more than 30 clubs eligible. To qualify, clubs needed federation membership and a Nafes license.

Why it matters

Participation numbers show how quickly the base is expanding. Grassroots figures grew from about 50,000 players in earlier reporting to more than 70,000 and later around 77,000. The Girls' School League reportedly rose from 48,000 to over 70,000 participants in a single year, while Regional Training Centres increased from one to six.

The structural build-out has also included a national women's team, a first division, school leagues, and a new Under-17 women's national team. For families across Riyadh, Jeddah and beyond, the changes mean more organized opportunities for girls to play, train and compete within a formal, funded system.

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