Next phase of PACE to drive sustainable growth and global competitiveness | OneFootball

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) has announced the next phase of its Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence (PACE) programme, introducing a new four-year allocation model designed to strengthen competitiveness, sustainability and long-term club development.

The updated framework marks another major milestone in the SPL Transformation Strategy launched in 2023, reinforcing the league’s ambition to establish itself as one of the world’s leading football competitions.

At the heart of this next phase is a pioneering investment model that underlines the SPL’s position as one of the most forward-thinking leagues in world football.

The evolved PACE mechanism is designed to help clubs attract elite talent while encouraging responsible sporting and commercial decision-making, ensuring the league’s rapid growth is matched by stable and sustainable development across all 18 clubs.

SPL CEO Omar Mugharbel speaking at press conference to announce new PACE mechanism

The second phase also cements the SPL’s continued commitment to enhancing the quality of competition while equipping clubs with the tools, structure and support required to strengthen their own commercial and sporting foundations.

The league continued to attract leading international talent last summer, including Portugal forward Joao Felix, France defender Theo Hernandez and Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui.

Several established SPL stars have also since extended their contracts, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Edouard Mendy, Nacho Fernandez, Yassine Bono and Ruben Neves. In February, Karim Benzema moved from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal on a deal through to 2027.

Speaking at a press conference in Riyadh, Omar Mugharbel, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Pro League, outlined the league’s progress since the launch of the Transformation Strategy and highlighted the priorities shaping the next stage of Saudi football’s evolution.

"The question is no longer whether players will join the SPL, but rather who is next," Mugharbel said. "Our focus now is on strengthening and evolving the sustainable ecosystem already in place, one that supports long-term sporting and commercial success across the league."

Since 2023, the SPL has recorded substantial growth across key performance indicators. Total commercial revenues have more than quadrupled, league market value more than tripled, while central commercial revenues have more than doubled.

"The league has become more entertaining, more competitive and harder to predict," Mugharbel added. "The current standings are testament to that progress."

Saudi clubs have continued to strengthen their presence on the continental stage, too. Last month, Al Ahli secured a second consecutive AFC Champions League Elite title, becoming the first club in more than two decades to successfully defend Asia’s premier club competition.

Meanwhile, Al Shabab reached the final of the Gulf Club Champions Cup, while Al Nassr have booked their place in the AFC Champions League Two final. That takes place in Riyadh on Saturday.

A key element of the second phase of PACE is the introduction of a transparent distribution mechanism built around four strategic pillars designed to reward both sporting performance and commercial growth.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores incredible overhead kick for Al Nassr v Al Khaleej

Under the new structure:

"We want every club to understand where it stands and why," Mugharbel said. "Every criterion is based on specific data, and transparency means communicating those details clearly."

The SPL also reaffirmed that clubs would continue to maintain responsibility for their own sporting and commercial strategies within the framework provided by the league.

Mugharbel underlined that the PACE programme, which introduced a centralised approach to transfers alongside support in squad planning and player care, does not determine which players clubs sign, negotiate on their behalf, or dictate how clubs manage their budgets.

The continued evolution of PACE reflects the SPL’s broader ambition to create a sustainable football economy capable of supporting long-term growth, enhancing global competitiveness and strengthening the league’s position within world football.