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Saudi Pro League Postpones Matches After Asian Cup Rescheduling
· Confirmed
In Short: The Saudi Pro League has postponed matches scheduled for this weekend following the rescheduling of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Tuesday that the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, originally scheduled for January 7 to February 5, 2027, has been postponed to December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028, due to exceptional circumstances.
The decision to reschedule the tournament was made after extensive discussions and close consultation with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).
In response to the rescheduling, the Saudi Pro League (SPL) announced that it would postpone the 13th matchday, originally scheduled for this weekend, to allow for additional flexibility in the domestic football calendar.
The SPL stated that the decision was part of a wider review of the 2026-2027 league fixture schedule, which would help accommodate the revised Asian Cup dates.
The postponement of the Asian Cup until December next year was announced earlier in the day after recent attacks on the kingdom.
The Saudi Pro League said in a statement, “Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organisation and delivery of the competition as originally scheduled, making the postponement necessary in the interest of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders.”
Other nations, who were scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia in the November international window, have been forced to relocate their friendlies.
The SPL has rescheduled several domestic league games this season for logistical reasons, and last month’s AFC Champions League Elite clash in Riyadh between hosts Al-Nassr and Emirati side Al Wasl was postponed due to a threat of missile attacks.
What this adds
The decision to postpone the Asian Cup and subsequent SPL matches highlights the ongoing security concerns in Saudi Arabia.
The SPL has not yet announced new dates for matchweek 13.
Background
The Saudi Pro League has postponed matches scheduled for this weekend following the rescheduling of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The Saudi Pro League (SPL), also known as the Roshn Saudi League for sponsorship reasons, is a professional association football league in Saudi Arabia and the highest level of the Saudi football league system. The league is governed by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
What's confirmed
- “The decision comes as part of a wider review of the 2026-27 league fixture schedule, with the revised Asian Cup dates creating additional flexibility in the domestic football calendar,” the SPL said in a statement on Tuesday, two days before the start of the match week.
What's still developing
- MUST READ: A-Leagues great’s big call ahead of New Zealand Derby: ‘Out for blood!’ “The organising committee for AFC Asian Cup approved to reschedule the flagship national team tournament in light of the current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions,” the AFC said in a statement.
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