Cristiano Ronaldo will as soon as once more see Al Hilal stand as his major impediment in pursuit of the Saudi Professional League title in the course of the 2026-27 marketing campaign. Nonetheless, a sudden logistical shift is about to change their upcoming showdown, because the Al Nassr captain reportedly faces a venue change that takes the marquee fixture away from Al Awwal Park.
Al Nassr and Al Hilal presently sit atop the SPL desk after successful all 4 of their opening fixtures, setting the stage for an additional head-to-head battle for the home crown. The primary league derby between the 2 rivals was initially scheduled for Friday, December 11, with Al Nassr internet hosting at Al Awwal Park, however league organizers are getting ready a serious relocation.
In keeping with reporting from Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah, the Saudi Professional League is transferring to relocate the capital derby between Al Nassr and Al Hilal to King Fahd Sports activities Metropolis Stadium. Whereas the match stays in Riyadh, the venue change removes the competition from Al Nassr’s major dwelling floor.
The initiative behind the transfer serves as an “operational check” for the power forward of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. With the continental match hosted throughout Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027, King Fahd Sports activities Metropolis Stadium is scheduled to host 4 matches, together with the match closing.
A normal view of the King Fahd Worldwide Stadium. (Michael Regan/Getty Pictures)
King Fahd Stadium, a good venue for Al Hilal
Whereas the venue change has not but been formally finalized by the league, the Saudi Professional League is anticipated to contact Al Nassr to coordinate logistics whereas sustaining the membership’s administrative home-team privileges. Nonetheless, King Fahd Sports activities Metropolis Stadium represents a good venue not for the nominal hosts, however for visiting rivals Al Hilal.
see additionally
Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate Abdulrahman Ghareeb learns destiny as Al-Nassr renewal hinges on two offers
Since Ronaldo arrived in Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr and Al Hilal have met twice at King Fahd Sports activities Metropolis Stadium, with Al Hilal serving as the house group on each events. Their first encounter on Matchday 25 of the 2022-23 SPL season resulted in a 2-0 victory for Al Hilal, adopted by a commanding 3-0 win for Al Hilal on Matchday 15 of the 2023-24 marketing campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo in the course of the SPL match vs. Al Hilal at King Fahd Worldwide Stadium on December 1, 2023. (Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Pictures)
Al Nassr might lose a key dwelling benefit
King Fahd Sports activities Metropolis Stadium is reopening in late 2026 following a venue growth that will increase capability from 58,398 to 70,200 seats, leaving Al Nassr to barter ticketing phrases to make sure most dwelling supporter allocation. Nonetheless, departing Al Awwal Park strips the squad of a definite home-field edge based mostly on current home type.
Throughout the 2025-26 SPL season, the place Ronaldo secured his first main silverware in Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr completed as the highest dwelling group within the league. Throughout 17 dwelling fixtures at Al Awwal Park, the Riyadh facet compiled 15 wins, one draw, and only one defeat to collect 46 factors, surpassing Al Ahli’s 45-point dwelling mark and establishing Al Awwal Park as a fortress for Ronaldo and firm.
