Saudi Arabia Championship. Youth League
The Saudi Arabia Youth League is a vibrant breeding ground for the kingdom's emerging football talents under 23, featuring promising players from Pro League clubs. Operated by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, it acts as a crucial stepping stone, honing skills in a fiercely competitive setup that mirrors professional demands.
History and foundation
Launched in 2010 amid Saudi football's modernization drive tied to Vision 2030, the league saw early dominance by Al-Ittifaq and Al-Hilal academies. Al-Nassr's youth broke through in 2015 with a record 78 points. The 2020/21 season stood out during the pandemic with empty stadiums, as Al-Ahli juniors clinched the cup via penalties against favorites. European scouts' involvement has boosted exports like Abdulrahman Ghareeb to Al-Hilal's first team.
Tournament format
Comprising 18 teams aligned with Pro League sides, it follows a double round-robin format over 34 matches, home and away. The champion lifts the trophy and enters the Youth Super Cup, with top-four advancing to playoffs. Running August to May with a winter break, games last 90 minutes on academy pitches.
Interesting facts
Average goals per game hover at 3.2, peaking at 3.8 in the explosive 2022/21 campaign. Top scorers include Faisal Saleh (Al-Nassr, 29 goals in 2019/20) and Abdullah Radadi (Al-Hilal, 25 in 2023/24). Standouts like Naif Hazazi, now with Al-Ittihad's seniors, and dribbling wizard Mohammed Kanno (Al-Hilal) have lit up the league, their highlights amassing millions of views online.