Ministry of Sports to privatize 3 clubs via public offering

Logo of Ministry of Sports

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Sports and the National Center for Privatization (NCP) announced today, July 24, the privatization of the first three clubs - Al-Ansar, Al-Kholood, and Al-Zulfi - through a public offering.

Ownership of these clubs was transferred to investment entities following the August 2024 announcement that six clubs would be offered for privatization. These include Al-Ansar, Al-Okhdood, Al-Kholood, Al-Zulfi, Al-Orobah, and Al-Nahda, as part of the second phase of the Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project.

The offer period for Al-Nahda Club closed following an extension requested by investors. The proposals are under review. Offers for Al-Okhdood and Al-Orobah Clubs did not meet the necessary requirements and conditions.

The ministry emphasized its commitment to ensure the success of the privatization process accepting only proposals that serve the long-term interests of the clubs, contribute to their professional development and align with the strategic goals of the initiative.

The process included multiple stages, starting with the submission of expressions of interest and qualification requests, followed by the evaluation of those submissions and then the receipt and assessment of technical and financial offers from qualified investors.

Additionally, the ministry invited new expressions of interest from investment entities seeking to acquire other Saudi sports clubs via its website. Each request will be subject to a readiness assessment of the club, followed by an evaluation of investor offers and finally the launch of a public offering.

The move reflects the ministry’s efforts in recent years to enhance performance efficiency, improve financial and administrative governance within sports clubs, and foster partnerships with the private sector. The ministry supports the building of a professional and competitive sports sector to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030.