Despite a massive £750 million transfer spending spree over the summer, the Saudi Pro League is facing a shocking drop in attendances.

Big Names, Small Crowds

The league saw a wave of world-class talent join its ranks, including Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Riyad Mahrez. Even Liverpool legends Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson made the move to Saudi Arabia. However, the arrival of these stars has not translated into increased spectator numbers.

Empty Stands

During Al-Ettifaq's most recent Saudi Pro League match, only 696 people showed up to watch. This is just one example of the low attendance figures seen this season. Al-Ittihad, despite signing high-profile players such as Benzema and N'Golo Kante, has an average attendance of 29,044, significantly lower than last season's average of 40,453.

Mixed Results

While some matches have drawn large crowds, like Al-Hilal's clash against Al-Fayha, which attracted 59,600 fans, not all clubs in the league have experienced the same success. Only four teams, including Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad, have an average attendance of at least 10,000 per match.

Challenging Comparison

When compared to lower leagues in England, the attendance numbers in the Saudi Pro League appear quite low. League Two team Bradford, for example, averages 16,362 fans at their home games this season.

Some Signs of Improvement

According to reports, Al-Nassr, Al-Raed, Al-Ettifaq, and Al-Hilal have seen an increase in attendances this season following the arrival of new players. However, these improvements have not been enough to reverse the overall decline in the league's attendance figures.