Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sport has begun the regulatory process to transfer the 25% stake held by the non-profit member institutions in Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli to the Public Investment Fund (PIF), while also dissolving the boards of those institutions.
Transfer of the Remaining 25% Stake
The Ministry of Sport said the transfer began after the necessary regulatory procedures were completed, covering the full 25% stake in the four clubs’ companies previously held by their respective non-profit institutions.
Once completed, the transfer will give PIF full ownership of the four club companies, following its initial 75% ownership stake established under the Kingdom’s Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project in 2023.
The clubs involved are Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli, which were among the first clubs brought into the corporate ownership model under the investment and privatization program.
Non-Profit Institution Boards Dissolved
Alongside the ownership transfer, the Ministry of Sport announced the dissolution of the boards of the four clubs’ non-profit member institutions.
The institutions were established as part of the clubs’ new corporate structures in 2023 and initially held 25% of each club company, while PIF held the remaining 75%.
The transfer of the non-profit institutions’ stakes marks another major change in the ownership structure of the four clubs, more than three years after the corporate model was introduced as part of efforts to create more professional and investment-ready sports entities.
A New Phase in Club Privatization
The Ministry described the move as the second phase in the transfer of ownership of the four clubs and said it forms part of the broader transition toward an ownership model designed to strengthen their investment appeal, corporate governance and long-term sustainability and growth.
The development is part of the Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project, launched in 2023 to accelerate the transformation of the sports sector, improve club performance and strengthen financial and investment sustainability.
Under the initial structure, Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli were converted into companies, with PIF acquiring 75% of each club and the respective non-profit member institutions holding the remaining 25%.
Privatization Expands Across the Sports Sector
The restructuring of club ownership extends beyond the four major clubs, with the Kingdom continuing to broaden its sports investment and privatization program.
In July 2025, the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the National Center for Privatization, announced the privatization of Al Ansar, Al Kholood and Al Zulfi, with ownership transferred to investment entities following the completion of the required procedures.
In June 2026, the Ministry and the National Center for Privatization also announced the offering of five clubs, Al Riyadh, Abha, Al Fateh, Al Tai and Al Shoulla, to investment parties, expanding opportunities for private-sector participation in the sports industry.
These developments reflect a broader, phased effort to increase private-sector participation in club ownership and operations while strengthening governance, investment structures and commercial performance.
Focus on Governance and Long-Term Sustainability
The restructuring of club ownership is intended to raise governance and professional standards while enabling clubs to develop new revenue streams, commercial assets and long-term investment partnerships.
The investment and privatization program also aims to create new opportunities for the private sector, increase the sports sector’s economic contribution and strengthen the competitiveness of Saudi clubs domestically and internationally.
The transfer of the remaining 25% stake to PIF therefore represents a significant milestone for the four clubs, moving them to a new ownership structure from the model introduced in 2023 as the Kingdom continues to develop its sports industry and attract investment into the sector.
