SPL · Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · Al-Awwal Park

Al Nassr FC

Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in January 2023 turned Al Nassr into the most-watched club in the Middle East, but this Riyadh institution was already a nine-time league champion with seven decades of history and a fiercely loyal fanbase.

Since 1963

Al-Hilal vs. Al-Nassr

The Riyadh Derby — Saudi football's fiercest clash

The Riyadh Derby between Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr is the most intense rivalry in Saudi Arabian football, pitting the capital city's two most successful and passionately supported clubs against each other since 1963. Their first meeting came in the King's Cup that year, ending in a 1-1 draw and setting the tone for decades of fiercely contested matches. With over 170 meetings between them, Al-Hilal holds a slight historical edge, but Al-Nassr's loyal fanbase — among the largest in the Middle East — ensures every derby carries enormous emotional weight.

Since 1966

Al-Nassr vs. Al-Shabab

The Other Riyadh Derby — the capital's undercard

While Al-Hilal vs. Al-Nassr commands the spotlight as the primary Riyadh Derby, the rivalry between Al-Nassr and Al-Shabab represents a compelling secondary chapter in the capital's football story. Both clubs are rooted in Riyadh's sporting identity, and their meetings carry a particular edge because they compete not only for points but for the city's footballing soul beyond the shadow of Al-Hilal. Al-Shabab, known as 'The White Stallion,' has long positioned itself as the stylish alternative to Al-Nassr's populist appeal.