Wael Al-Fayez to Lead Kings League MENA in Riyadh

Kings League MENA has appointed Saudi sports and media executive Wael Al-Fayez as its managing director, the first person to hold the role for the regional venture, ahead of an expanded season set to return to Riyadh in 2026.

The creator-led, seven-a-side football competition will stage its first full-length season in the region, known as Split 1, in Riyadh from 18 September to 30 October 2026. The expanded edition features 10 teams from across the Middle East and North Africa competing over 11 matchdays.

The format includes a regular league stage in which teams face each other twice, followed by a Final Four playoffs decided by league classification to crown the champion. The Riyadh season follows earlier cup-style events staged in the region.

Who is Wael Al-Fayez

Al-Fayez brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across sports, media, entertainment, and technology in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. He previously served as chief commercial officer of the Saudi Pro League. In his new role, he will oversee commercial strategy, key partnerships, and the operational growth of Kings League MENA across the region.

The 2026 Riyadh season is tied to the rapid expansion of the sports and entertainment market in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, one of the fastest-growing globally. For fans, the competition adds another major football event to Riyadh's calendar. Ticketing details, prices, timings, and the specific venues hosting individual matchdays have not yet been published; Saudi Living will share those details once they are officially confirmed.

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